2011 Xiaguan Bulang Old Tree Raw Pu Erh Tuocha 100g

This aged raw pu erh from Xiaguan Tea Factory is made with old-tree material from Bulang Mountain, one of Xishuangbanna’s best-known pu erh tea regions. The 100g tuocha comes in Xiaguan’s classic paper wrapping and traditional round box.

As expected from a firmly compressed Xiaguan tuo, the tea opens with considerable strength and intensity, but careful brewing reveals surprising depth and richness. Early infusions bring dried-root and herbal notes together with a deep, rounded, almost hoppy bitterness. With age, these stronger elements have become more integrated, gradually developing into richer suede-leather notes with a subtle herbaceous, leafy edge. The once-prominent Xiaguan smokiness has softened considerably, while the liquor remains smooth and cohesive, without the harsh astringency or heavy smoke often associated with younger, more everyday Xiaguan tuos. A lingering returning sweetness (hui gan) follows the bitterness and becomes increasingly noticeable as the session progresses.

Its steeping endurance is exceptional, well above that of an average raw pu erh, with the tea continuing to show depth and character over many infusions. A noticeable cha qi adds to its powerful and gripping character, particularly when brewed with a little patience and restraint.

Firmly compressed in Xiaguan’s traditional style and produced from Yunnan large-leaf, sun-dried maocha, the tea has developed slowly over time. It was stored in Kunming from its production in 2011 until 2026, before being moved to our warehouse in Amsterdam. Its remaining structure, depth and endurance suggest that it still has plenty of room for further development with continued aging.