2023 Lao Ban Zhang Gushu

FatBat Private Pressing Gushu Puerh
老班章古树

This is 100% pure Lao Ban Zhang gushu material, picked only from individually specified old arbor trees (select gushu picking, not mixed picking as is commonly done in LBZ). An opportunity to taste authentic LBZ gushu tea.

A reference level Lao Ban Zhang tea that showcases the purest characteristics that have made LBZ into a pinnacle terroir. The aroma of this tea is instantly captivating, packed with rich floral spice and baked root vegetables drizzled with syrup. A thick broth with the nourishing richness of chicken soup carries a powerful umami -- with notes of grilled portobello, candied ginseng, and spiced wheat beer. What is truly impressive is the astounding balance of flavors -- sweet, bitter, tangy, savory is all in perfect proportion, alongside that powerful, numbing qi that courses through the body.

Once you taste a top grade Lao Ban Zhang, that flavor experience is not easily forgotten.

TERROIR

Lao Ban Zhang village is located in Menghai county of Yunnan’s puerh producing region. It sits on the east side of Bulang mountain and can be considered the “Bordeaux of single-origin Puerh”. Much of the Lao Ban Zhang gardens are at an altitude of 1500 – 1700 meters above sea level. The ancient groves in this estate enjoy extremely fertile soil, and boast more ancient trees than all other 6 villages in Bulang mountain. The mild high-altitude tropical temperatures and the abundant sun on the east mountain ridge accelerates the development of very rich, and diverse flavor qualities in the Puerh tea leaves. The Puerh world recognizes the supreme quality of this estate for the sheer power of the energy from the tea and the sheer coherence of its profile (aroma, structure, taste).

A NOTE ON PROCESSING

We worked closely with our most trusted processing master Brother Sha, who led his own team into the LBZ gardens to pick the leaves, then returning to his facility in Menghai to process the material himself. This ensured complete control over the entire end-to-end process.

TECHNICALS