Tea Review: Bai Lin Kung Fu Classic Red Tea (Shang Tea)

Bai Lin Kung Fu Classic Red Tea/白琳功夫
Shang Tea
Type: Black
Origin: China, Fujian Province, Fuding County
Product Description: 

Hearty and flavorful, this tea brews a complex flavor, crisp finish and brews a deep traditional red tea hue. This tea is harvested from a white tea varietal, which offers a smooth finish to a fermented tea.

Temperature: 208° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have a sweet aroma with notes of honey and nut shells.

The dark copper red infusion has a rich and roasty aroma with notes of chestnuts, caramel, and fruit.  The taste has notes of roasted nut shell, fruit, and hints of malt and caramelized sugar with a long roasty finish.

This black tea was produced using white tea leaves (Da Bai/Da Hao) and perhaps that plays into this tea's longevity.  This is a rather old sample and I had no expectations for it, so I was surprised and delighted by the depth and complexity in flavor and aroma that it still holds today.  If it's still this good several years along, I can only imagine how impressive it must be when fresh.

This tea was received as a gift from a third party.