This is my second lapsang souchong, and one that came as a free sample with my significantly more sizeable order of their fenqqing dragon black pearl. I have to say I am more impressed with this version than the one from Mountain Rose Herbs. It is a LOT more subdued… perhaps to the point of being a little too mild. O.o What that means, though, is it’s easy to control your variables so that you can adjust for a tea that’s a little more or a little less smoky, especially if you’re not into OH DEAR JESUS IT SMELLS LIKE A WILDFIRE tea. In fact, the aroma was so subtle I could barely smell it from the opening I’d cut in the bag. … I might try a little more tea next time. But highly recommended if you like a bit of smoke but not a lot!
“OH DEAR JESUS IT SMELLS LIKE A WILDFIRE” and that sums up my problems with lapsangs :)
That’s the thing about lapsangs! People either love them or hate them because of the smoke, and it’s interesting to see the wildly varying reactions. I think I like the subtler ones, but the punch-you-in-the-face ones are a little much for me to enjoy.