30g 2015 Ruby Solstice Gu Shu 复焙冬露

Ruby Solstice Gu Shu (复焙冬露, Fù Bèi Dōng Lù, "Twice Roasted Winter Dew") is one of two brand-new teas by master Lan Yuan. Master Lan is the first new master to join our sourcing catalog in more than 5 years. Montsho met him on their recent visit to China, having been introduced by Rui Liu of Grass People Tree. Ruby Solstice is one of two ancient tree red teas we're sourcing from him, along with Violet Crown. Both are grown in Lincang, a tea region located in Central Yunnan, far north of where Li Shulin produces his Xishuangbanna pu'er and red teas. Like Li Shulin's Infrared, Ruby Solstice is also an ancient tree (gu shu) sun-dried Yunnan red tea.  The combination of its 9 years of dry-storage aging, as well as its Lincang provenance, give it a distinctive character with a profile that is light, crisp, and bright while at the same time having substance and gravity. The flavor is creamy and smooth, the qi is uplifting with a "sparkly" character. Tasting notes include sweet cream cheese kolache, and this tea has also been described as getting a hug from a warm Elmo fresh out of the dryer.