Man Mai is one of the eleven ancient tea gardens in the famous Mengsong area. Together with some other old plantations like Naka, Baotang etc., Man Mai represents the typical flavor and the highest quality of ancient Mengsong tea mountain.
 
This 2013 Man Mai Gushu Dan Zhu was harvested from the same tea garden as our 2012 Man Mai Gushu, and processed in the same factory on commission. These two teas bear fairly resemblance in main features, yet, the distinction also appears obviously when put in comparison side by side. The reason is very simple, the tea name, Dan Zhu, which means single tree, points out the key difference between them. To be able to process a tea from just one tree or very few selected trees, the tree(s) need to be very old (at least 300 y/o) and in very good condition to provide enough harvest. Although both are made from Gushu material, but the 2012 production used a mixed harvest among those of over 100 y/o, 200 y/o and even older trees, and this 2013 Man Mai Gushu Dan Zhu came from single tree(s) of over 300 y/o.
 
The advantage of the very old tree material is on full display in this 2013 Man Mai Gushu Dan Zhu, it replicates and strengthens all the flavors of the 2012 production, but always with the distinctive smoothness unique to the very old trees; its aging aroma is even purer than that of the 2012 production despite being one year younger; it also brings some pleasant incense notes with a subtle smoky touch; while longer steeped, the liquor becomes indeed intense but still without any rawness, and rewards with charming Huigan, leaving the lingering sweetness surprisedly long in the aftertaste.