A classic iron-pressed tuo from Dali, this 2009 ripe Pu’er shows the steady, honest character that made Xiaguan’s shou famous among daily drinkers and collectors alike. Firmly compressed and neatly domed, the tuo has aged into a deep, clean profile with the rough fermentation edges long since melted away.
 
In the cup, expect a dark mahogany liquor and a smooth, comforting body. Aromas lean toward damp forest wood, cocoa husk, and warm earth after rain. The taste is mellow and rounded: notes of old cedar, roasted barley, bittersweet chocolate, and a gentle mineral sweetness that lingers in the throat. No fishiness, no harsh pile notes—just calm, settled maturity.
 
The iron compression slows the aging, allowing the tea to develop gradually over time. After more than a decade of rest, this tuo now brews with remarkable clarity, thickness, and durability across many infusions. It is especially forgiving in gongfu or grandpa style, making it as practical as it is satisfying.
 
A dependable example of aged factory shou Pu’er: grounded, smooth, and deeply comforting.