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12 Tasting Notes

Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe) Wuyi Rock Oolong Tea Fujian from Teavivre
Lapsang Souchong Smoky Black Tea (Yan Xun Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong) from Teavivre
84

Many thanks to Teavivre for their generosity in sending these samples.

I certainly knew what I was getting into, but this still surprised me when I opened the sample pouch and got hit by an incredibly strong pine scent. So strong, in fact, that I feared I wouldn’t enjoy this, but, as is the norm with every Teavivre tea I’ve tried, this is quite enjoyable. Strongly tastes of pine and smoke with a sweet flavor following the smokiness.

Not a tea for everybody, and not a tea for everyday, but highly recommended for those that like smokey teas.

Mengku Palace Ripened Golden Buds Loose Pu-erh Tea 2007 from Teavivre
87

Thanks to Teavivre for the very (very!) generously sized free samples.

I’m afraid I’m too much of a novice with Pu-Erhs to give any sort of informed opinion on how this compares to others, but this is certainly very good. Earthiness and leather are, of course, the first things that come to mind, but there is also a sort of vague mint flavor as well. Certainly doesn’t sound pleasant on paper, but this is somehow very enjoyable.

Monkey Picked (Ma Liu Mie) Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea from Teavivre
87

An interesting tea. Baked, sweetness, with each successive steep providing a stronger and stronger honey flavor. Greener oolongs are still preferred, but I’ll definitely be keeping this around for when I want something different.

Yun Nan Dian Hong Black Tea – Golden Tip from Teavivre
98
Premium Keemun Hao Ya Black Tea from Teavivre
83

I prefer Keemuns to be a bit smokier but this is still quite good. Nothing extraordinary, but it hits the spot.

Golden Monkey Black Tea from Teavivre
100

Wow. Tied with Teavivre’s Bailin Gongfu for being my favorite tea ever. Strong sweet potato taste. Resteeps well.

Tie Guan Yin “Iron Goddess” Oolong Tea (Ti Kuan Yin) from Teavivre
85

Very, very good. Sweet and slightly floral, with each steep becoming more and more floral. I prefer Teavivre’s Milk Oolong, but this really is quite good.

Gunpowder Green Tea (Zhu Cha) from Teavivre
90

Ah, Gunpowder.. The first loose-leaf tea I’d ever tried, and it holds a special place in my heart. I’ve since tried several different varieties of this tea, and Teavivre’s is probably the best I’ve had. Slightly smokey, slightly sweet. Especially great for the price.

Taiwan Jin Xuan Milk Oolong Tea from Teavivre
87

What a wonderful tea. Milky, surprisingly sweet. I was also surprised by how much the leaves expanded in my ingenuiTEA, with the leaves filling up half of it after the first steep. This is perhaps my favorite oolong that I’ve had so far.

Premium Dragon Well Green Tea (Long Jing) from Teavivre
91

Deliciously nutty and sweet. I couldn’t be happier with the teas I’ve ordered from Teavivre so far.

Bailin Gongfu Black Tea from Teavivre
100

Absolutely phenomenal. I brewed it at 185°, per the instructions, and this is easily the best tea I’ve ever had. Grainy, chocolate goodness. I must order more of this very soon.

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