- Production year: 2017
- Storage: Hunan
- Brick weight: 240g
- Price: USD 65 / brick
- Availability: In stock
Established only in 2015 (thought starting to produce teas a few years before that), Shanyoude (山有德) has become what is arguably the most reputable of the “artisanal” Anhua heicha brands. It should therefore have been to no-one’s surprise that the brand founder “Saturday” (周六) was given centre stage throughout the episode titled “传承之茶“ in Mango TV’s four-part documentary on Anhua Heicha from last year. (Side tangent but difficult to leave out: 周六’s older brother and business partner goes by the moniker 周五. Another side tangent: I can think of a couple of industry figures that I would not be surprised to learn were… disgruntled by not being given similar spotlight in that episode.)
Perhaps the relatively recent establishment of the brand was advantageous in this regard. They seem to have been insulated from the general market situation where investors and collectors that are left with little faith in an upturn anytime soon are increasingly letting go of aged productions for little (or no) more than what they bought them for at release time. At least for now, Shanyoude is not a brand you ever get for fire-sale prices.
Another distinguishing factor compared to many other recent brands is that Shanyoude operates a factory, i.e. they’re not just sourcing stuff and having it produced by someone else. They’re especially known for their qixing stove game (after having gone through a lengthy trial and error phase with a number of different stove setups) and Jiulongchi material. It is their more orthodox style productions with material from this area I find by far the most interesting of their output, and I am happy to be able to offer something that checks off both boxes while being “only” 240 grams per unit here.
The smoke profile is the star of the show here. I’m having a hard time explaining exactly how/why but beside Yongtaifu’s stronger roasts I find Shanyoude’s to be perhaps the most distinctive I have come across in Anhua heicha. Taste wise it has a wild nectar-like profile, with some resemblance to Yunshang’s “Yunyin” heizhuan for those that have had that, although the comparison shouldn’t be taken too far.
Each square weighs around 6 grams. I’ve brewed this with both one and two squares with good results - two squares requires more attentive brewing especially when the leaves start to properly unfurl.
Despite this being a “chocolate square pattern” style brick, some people may still find it tricky to break off individual squares with their hands. If this applies to you, consider a combination of standing barbell finger rolls and heavy baoding ball exercises, or just get a pair of tea scissors. I don’t stock those, but I can help you buy a pair from Taobao and add them to your order if you’re interested.
