I hate smokey teas, but have been on a quest to find one that I like. This tea is the winner. It is lightly smokey, more so I think than a Gunpowder, but less so than a Lapsang. I really like it.
The liqour is a dark brown, not too transparent, and the aroma is pure smoke. The flavor starts with a hint of smoke, followed by a medium-bodied tea flavor, then finishes with a stronger, but not overpowering, smokey taste.
I loved it without milk and sugar, but when I added milk and sugar it ruined the tea. I threw the rest out. Word to the wise: drink it straight up or with a little milk, but not sugar.
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Yunnans and Gunpowder greens aren’t actually smoked like a Lapsang Souchong, unless there has been a manufacturing flaw… but “smokiness” sometimes is suggested by caramel-like flavors, earthiness, or maltiness (all of which are good things). Some black Yunnans, in particular, taste “smoky” but they aren’t smoked — it’s explained in the Harney book about the chemical reaction that takes place during processing — that sort of biscuit-like, chocolate-y sort of flavor/aroma… if you want to avoid it, steer yourself toward First Flush Darjeelings and Nepalese teas, high-elevation Ceylons, and Nilgiris… you will get more lemon-like flavors and aromas and no “smokiness.” Tell us what you think…
By the by, some of us LOVE LOVE LOVE the earthy Yunnan blacks, esp. with milk or cream!!! Some will cry “sacrilege” but that’s OK. The taste is wonderful.
Yunnans and Gunpowder greens aren’t actually smoked like a Lapsang Souchong, unless there has been a manufacturing flaw… but “smokiness” sometimes is suggested by caramel-like flavors, earthiness, or maltiness (all of which are good things). Some black Yunnans, in particular, taste “smoky” but they aren’t smoked — it’s explained in the Harney book about the chemical reaction that takes place during processing — that sort of biscuit-like, chocolate-y sort of flavor/aroma… if you want to avoid it, steer yourself toward First Flush Darjeelings and Nepalese teas, high-elevation Ceylons, and Nilgiris… you will get more lemon-like flavors and aromas and no “smokiness.” Tell us what you think…
By the by, some of us LOVE LOVE LOVE the earthy Yunnan blacks, esp. with milk or cream!!! Some will cry “sacrilege” but that’s OK. The taste is wonderful.