This is a unique treasure, impossible to replicate, as it was the last batch of tea produced by Yancha master Zhou Zhongxiang. Two years later, in 2014, Master Zhou passed away at the age of 98. He was one of the master tea artisans in contemporary Yancha history, the former director of the Bi Shi Yan Tea Factory, and had even worked with Zhang Tianfu, the towering figure of modern tea science in China.
 
Given the exceptional quality of that particular harvest batch, they decided to craft it entirely by hand, with Master Zhou — at the age of 96 — personally involved, supervising each detail of the production. The outstanding raw materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and Master Zhou’s wisdom all came together to create this impeccable tea. And by great fortune, the tea wasn’t sold out immediately, allowing us the rare chance to taste its aged version.
 
After more than a decade of aging, the tea has developed enchanting aged flavors. Pleasant notes of old dry wood and herbal medicine appear in the dry leaves and continue to emerge in both the steeped leaves and the thick liquor of the first few infusions. The rich taste is round and complex, with an extremely smooth texture, strong minerality, and no trace of astringency or charcoal. A subtle plum-like sourness—found only in exceptional aged Yancha—lingers until the flavor gradually mellows, while the iconic Shui Xian characteristics persist until the very last drop.
 
Its excellence stands out remarkably, especially when compared with our 2016 Aged Shui Xian, despite the fact that the latter is also a fantastic aged Shui Xian, produced in the same factory operated by Master Zhou’s grandchildren.