Hundred Years Lapsang Souchong Smoked Style 烟熏百年老枞小种 (2023)
Tea Profile
Type: Black Tea (Smoked Zhengshan Xiaozhong 烟熏正山小种 / Lapsang Souchong)
Location: Guwankeng Village 古玩坑村, Tongmu Guan 桐木关, Wuyishan, Fujian Province
Altitude: Around 1000 m
Cultivar: Cai Cha 菜茶 (over 100-year-old bushes)
Processing: Traditional smoked method in Yan Lou 烟楼 (two-level smokehouse using pinewood and pine needles)
Roasting Level: Full traditional smoked style
The Story of This Tea
Tongmu Guan lies in the heart of Wuyishan National Nature Reserve, with an average elevation of about 1000 meters. The region’s misty valleys, abundant rainfall, and dense forests provide an excellent natural environment for tea cultivation. It is here that the world’s first black tea, Lapsang Souchong, was born. The traditional smoked method used in Tongmu remains unchanged for centuries, preserving the craft that gave rise to this iconic tea.
Freshly picked leaves are spread across the upper floor of a special smokehouse called Yan Lou (烟楼). The structure has two levels connected by bamboo lattices that allow heat and smoke to rise gently. On the lower floor, dry pine needles, pinewood, and resinous firewood are burned to produce heat. As the temperature rises, pine oil volatilizes and infuses the leaves above, giving them their characteristic aroma of pine and longan fruit.
This particular smoked Lapsang Souchong is made from century-old Cai Cha bushes growing naturally in Guwankeng Village. The liquor is soft, delicate, and deeply layered, with a heavy wood texture and a clean, long sweetness that lingers in the mouth. The balance between pine smoke, fruit sweetness, and old-tree depth gives the tea a profound and elegant character that only true Tongmu teas possess.
Aroma and Flavour
The first infusions release the scent of pine resin and longan fruit. As the session progresses, the smokiness softens, revealing woody and honey-like tones. The liquor is smooth and bright, with a pleasant natural sweetness and a lingering finish that leaves a light coolness in the throat.
- Aroma: Pine smoke, longan, and light resin notes
- Flavour: Smooth and woody with longan-like sweetness
- Texture: Soft, delicate, and layered
- Aftertaste: Lingering sweetness with cooling clarity
- Steeping Endurance: 8–10 infusions with stable depth and sweetness
Brewing Guidelines
Gong Fu Style
- Teaware: Hongni 红泥 or Duanni 段泥 Yixing teapot to enrich sweetness, or porcelain gaiwan for purity
- Ratio: 6–7 g per 100 ml water
- Water: 95–100 °C spring water
- Infusions: Quick rinse, then brew 8–10 infusions, gradually extending steeping time
Western Style
- Teaware: Porcelain or glass teapot
- Ratio: 3–4 g per 250 ml water
- Water: 95 °C
- Steeping: 2–3 minutes for the first infusion. Resteep 2–3 times, adjusting to taste
Why Choose This Tea
This Guwankeng Old Bush Smoked Lapsang Souchong represents the purest form of Tongmu craftsmanship. Made from over 100-year-old Cai Cha trees and processed in a traditional smokehouse using pinewood and pine needles, it delivers deep woody sweetness balanced by soft pine fragrance. With its delicate texture, elegant smoke, and enduring sweetness, this tea captures the authentic heritage of Zhengshan Xiaozhong. Refined, complex, and true to its mountain origin.