• Cultivar: Rou Gui (肉桂, "Cinnamon") Oolong

• Terroir: Wuyi Core Mountain, Jiu Long Ke (九龙窠)

• Grade: S++++

• Harvest: 2024 Spring

• Roast: Medium-Heavy Roasted

This Rou Gui from Jiu Long Ke is a core Zheng Yan tea, meaning its leaves were grown in the "True Cliff" environment of the Wuyi Core Mountain region. The tea's profile is a direct reflection of this unique terroir, particularly its stony, mineral-rich soil.

The dry leaves are dark and tightly twisted, giving off a warm, comforting aroma of baked goods and spices. When steeped, the tea liquor is a beautiful clear amber.

On the first sip, the taste is bold and direct, leading with a complex spice note reminiscent of cinnamon bark and nutmeg. This is not a simple, sweet cinnamon, but a more layered and earthy flavor. As the tea cools slightly, a new dimension emerges: a distinct savory quality, like toasted rye or a hint of salinity from the rocky ground. The characteristic yan yun (岩韵) or "rock rhyme" is a core part of the experience, felt as a deep, resonant minerality that coats the tongue and lingers in the throat.

The finish is clean, with the initial spice notes fading to reveal a subtle, creamy sweetness. The aftertaste is long and profound, leaving a lasting impression of mineral depth and warmth.

This tea is not just a drink; it's a sensory journey that captures the very essence of its mountain home.