Taiwan Wet Storage Puer Sampler #1

Sampler Includes

• 15g Loose Leaf Sheng Puer (Circa 1980s) — $1.00/g
• 25g Jiang Cheng Sheng Brick (Circa 1990s) — $0.56/g
• 25g Naked Shou Brick (Circa 1990s) — $0.41/g
• 25g Bamboo Shell Shou Brick (Circa 2000) — $0.34/g
• 25g 2014 Bada Gushu Sheng Cake — $0.56/g

Total tea weight: 115g

Introduction

All of the teas in this sampler come from a very close friend of mine. I first began drinking them around fifteen years ago and have spent countless hours with them over the years. They’ve become deeply tied to my understanding and appreciation of puer.

The collection was acquired in the early 2000s and stored in a warehouse nestled in the humid mountains of Miaoli County, Taiwan. The teas spent many years aging under aggressive storage conditions before being moved to a drier environment around three years ago.

Aggressive humid storage can quickly transform the greenness of young puer into something darker, deeper, and smoother, while also producing strong storage aromas and damp cellar notes.

I used to drink this kind of tea all the time and greatly enjoyed exploring my friend’s collection. I appreciated their earthy richness and energetics. At one point I went through a dry storage purist phase and began viewing this kind of storage as a drawback. Over time I came to understand that the storage itself was part of what gave these teas their identity and appeal.

These teas are not for everyone, especially those who only drink dry stored puer. At the same time, over the years I’ve watched many people deeply enjoy teas like these, so I know there is an audience for them. This style of storage can also be difficult to come across outside of Taiwan, which makes me especially happy to be able to share this sampler.

For those who decide to try this sampler, I encourage approaching these teas with an open mind. In many cases, the early infusions are dominated by storage character, while greater clarity and distinction gradually emerge over the course of the session. These are teas that award patience. 

Included Teas

Loose Leaf Sheng Puer (Circa 1980s)

15g included — $1.00/g

A deeply matured sheng with floral, woody, and resin notes layered over distinctive cellar aromas. Despite its age and aggressive storage, its sheng character remains present, with a round, oily texture, lingering sweetness, and a cooling sensation on the breath.

Jiang Cheng Sheng Brick (Circa 1990s)

25g included — $0.56/g

This brick is likely a later replica of the classic 1980s Jiangcheng Sheng Brick. Made from mature leaves, it has a gentle, approachable character, with a satisfying body and lingering sweetness. Notes of wood, tobacco, sour berries, and herbs are complemented by a refreshing quality that makes the tea particularly easy to drink.

Naked Shou Brick (Circa 1990s)

25g included — $0.41/g

Made from large, coarse leaves, this shou brick offers a deep, complex aroma and a dark, smooth, creamy texture. Woodsy and forest-floor notes are balanced by gentle sweetness, with hints of medicinal bitterness and licorice leading into a strong, lingering aftertaste.

Bamboo Shell Shou Brick (Circa 2000)

25g included — $0.34/g

This shou brick offers a complex, evolving profile of medicinal sweetness, earth, wood, mushroom, and spice. Smooth and satisfying, with a noticeable aftertaste and lingering sweetness, it balances darker flavors with a surprising lightness that makes it a comforting daily drinker.

Normally I don’t include brewing recommendations in my tea descriptions, but for this tea I feel it’s necessary to brew it using a 1:10 ratio in order to fully appreciate it. I also recommend breaking the tea into smaller pieces to increase surface area and extraction.

2014 Bada Gushu Sheng Cake

25g included — $0.56/g

Aggressive storage gives this 2014 sheng a darker, smoother, and creamier character than its age might suggest, while its youthful qualities remain apparent. Floral, woody, and herbal notes mingle with subtle cellar aromas, supported by a full mouthfeel, good salivation, and a lingering aftertaste. The tea’s energy builds throughout the session.

Brewing Recommendations

Aside from the Bada Gushu, these teas generally perform best when brewed strong and with water as hot as possible.

These teas also tend to benefit from a long (30–60 second) rinse or even two shorter rinses, which can help soften some of the heavier storage character in the early steeps.

For the two bricks — especially the bamboo shell brick — stronger results can often be achieved by breaking the tea into smaller pieces in order to increase surface area and extraction.

These teas also tend to pair well with teapots that have a stronger muting effect.