Ban Zhang 2002 (1 cake/~200g)

The 2002 Ban Zhang has been delicious since its inception. On the nose, sea breeze, nutty, and soothing. The broth has always been dense, soft, and medium-bodied. On the palate, currant, lotus root, and salted nuts. Soft astringent appears and it might take few more years to shed all of it. We still remember on its younger days it had no finish because the tea was really compressed then. 
 
This cake is not from Dayi. It is one of the many re-productions from the third parties during that period of time (i.e. when the series of the cake from Dayi started catching fire all over the world). Nonetheless, the tea is delicious itself.
 
Disclaimer: 
The flavor profile of this tea is not related to those of Hualien Ban Zhang vintage 1997 or 1998, nor the modern day Lao Ban Zhang for what we know. Was the raw material sourced from the Ban Zhang area? We don’t know. However, it is a very good tea and has a unique flavor by itself.