I didn’t really know what to expect from this tea before I took the first sip. In the bag it smells like alcohol, no joke! It’s very strange. Brewed it smells like a particularly strong Irish Breakfast, no mango or cream to be found. Thankfully it’s quite different on the tongue, and kind of amazingly balanced. I always expect great things from 52teas and I suppose my expectations are sometimes a little too lofty, but boy did they deliver on this one!
There are 3 components, and each of them really stands out. The black base is fantastic, I think a bit stronger than some of their others (even though it’s the same blend, maybe this batch is a bit heavier on the assam?). It’s really brisk! The ice cream part is really, well, cream, and is totally divine. It adds a glorious, rich smoothness to the cup that really balances out the maltiness of the base. Then there’s the mango, which at first I thought was a little hidden but it really comes in bright and loud at the end of the sip. Fresh, sweet, almost juicy!
Everything fits together so well, working in perfect harmony. It’s great without additions but I am feeling naughty tonight so I put in a heap of sugar and actual cream. Oooooh lord, this is amazing. I bet it’d be even better iced, so I am going to cold brew the rest of these leaves!
