1992 Lao Baozhong Oolong, Taiwan
A rare aged Taiwanese oolong — over 30 years of quiet transformation
Lao Baozhong (老包種) is an aged version of one of Taiwan's most historically significant teas. Baozhong — literally "the wrapped kind" — takes its name from the old practice of packaging tea leaves in folded paper, sealed with the producer's stamp. Originating from the Wenshan area near Taipei, Baozhong has been a cornerstone of Taiwanese tea culture since the late 19th century.
This particular lot dates back to 1992, making it over three decades old. In its youth, Baozhong is a lightly oxidized, strip-shaped oolong known for its bright floral aromatics — gardenia, lily, orchid. With age, the tea undergoes a profound metamorphosis. The original delicate florals recede, giving way to a deep, layered complexity that only time can produce.
Appearance The aged leaves are dark, elongated, and loosely twisted — a hallmark of classic Baozhong processing, which does not use ball-rolling. The infusion pours a rich, dark amber, a world apart from the pale golden hue of a fresh Baozhong.
Tasting notes The flavour is deep, smooth, and remarkably round. Expect pronounced notes of dried wood, cedar, and aged herbs with a distinctive ginseng-like sweetness in the aftertaste. Underneath, there are hints of dark malt, dried fruit, and a subtle earthy warmth. The mouthfeel is thick and velvety, with virtually no astringency. As the session progresses, a quiet medicinal quality emerges — calming and grounding, characteristic of well-stored aged Taiwanese oolongs.
Aroma The dry leaves carry a concentrated scent of herbal tincture and old wood. Once steeped, the aroma opens into warm cedar, camphor, and a faint, lingering sweetness reminiscent of dried longan.
Effect Deeply warming and soothing. Aged Baozhong is traditionally valued for its calming, grounding energy. A tea for slow, contemplative sessions — one that rewards patience and attention with every steep.