Thunderstruck (雷公打, Léigōng Dǎ, "Struck by Leigong, the Chinese God of Thunder") - According to local legend, this Phoenix Oolong, originally an 8 Immortals plant, was struck by lightning nearly 100 years ago. While half of the plant died, the other half remained but with altered Qi and has since been cloned many times over. Our version is the tea from the 2nd and 3rd generation clones. The demi-sweet fragrance of this tea is similar to that of kettle-corn and translates into a fuller sweetness in the after-fragrance; a slight buttery savor in the mouthfeel; and hints of toffee, brûléed apricot, and grape jus. While the flavor profile is recognizably similar to 8 Immortals, the Qi is far more clarifying and crown centric and can also be electric and unpredictable.
6 Reviews
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Thunderstruck
The long twisted leaves of Thunderstruck are quite an imposing sight upon opening the bag. The dry fragrance is rather simple, a slight roasted smell, typical of a roasted oolong. Thunderstruck begins to really open up once it is washed, and all the fruity, spicy fragrances that were advertised begin to almost overwhelm your nose. Like all oolongs, it starts out strong. An apricot lychee taste is persistent, from sip to huigan, but it was as if this lychee was given a hot blast on a charcoal grill. The lychee aspect is diminished in subsequent steepings, bringing out a more grape skin flavor. I do cool my water with Thunderstruck, but I do not wait long once the water is in the decanter (aka gong dao bei). Every steeping was using pretty hot water. Of note, the potential for bitterness does not diminish. I was trying to squeeze out the last of the tea juice on my last steeping, and did get a drying/bitter note. The qi effect of this tea makes you bounce off the walls, even more so than coffee, or shu puer. I did not get this with other oolongs, even the other Phoenix I've tried from WCT, Flash Noon. Speaking of Flash Noon, as spectacular as that was, from both from a qi and taste aspect, Thunderstruck blows it out of the water. It is one of those teas where I would try breaking the rating system to award it 6 stars.
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Maybe it’s our palette but boring and very expensive
I’m not claiming to know much or have that much experience, but prepared gong fu cha this tea struck not thunder, but boredom throughout the infusions. I’m sorry to say that because it must be highly regarded considering the cost.
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Thunderstruck
I was gifted some of this wonderful Oolong, and i am very thankful to the person who gave it to me. The aroma in the bag is slightly sweet and smoky, with notes of plum and blackberry. It's not as sweet tasting, but the dark fruit flavors are much more pronounced. It steeps and steeps too, and I'll often go most of a night on a single dose. Definitely on list of favorite teas.
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Premium tea convert
This was my first tea from the realm of premium teas, and I can honestly say I am forever converted! Never again will I be buying again "off the rack". This was a beautifully flavorful, robust, yet elegant tea. And very generous - I lost count of the steepings as my friend and I enjoyed its electric qi!
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Absolutely fantastic!
One of the best oolongs I've ever had, I can't recommend it enough, I got eleven infusions out of it!
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Phenomenal
Smells strongly of juicy pungent grapes, berries, or plums. The taste is similar but has a quality reminiscent of semi dry red wine.
