This is a tea I was saving up for, and I am really glad that I went ahead and got it. All the flavors and tasting notes are definitely present; the first thing I smelled opening the bag was toffee. The first brew, which I steeped for about 24 seconds, was the best having the full, floral, buttery, creamy, vegetal, sweetness that is constantly described. The following tastes accented the vegetal tastes more making it taste more and more like a lighter green tea. This is only the second time that I’ve used the Gonfu style after applying to a Wu Yi Rock Oolong, and I was pleasantly surprised with how much flavor this tea had. I typically like fuller bodied teas, or teas that have a more complete flavor profile. Though Mandala’s Milk Oolong is lighter with a Gongfu style, it’s flavor profile has that completeness making it a truly unique experience. Thank you Garret so much! And thank you so much for your nice note with the Tie Guan Yin and Jin Xuan samples.
With all that said, this tea is primarily for some one who has really sensitive taste buds, or in other words, an amateur to a more experienced connoisseur. Also, not for some one who purely likes western black teas or more British styles with lost of cream and sugar. The sweet creamy notes may or may not off set that preference, but to the majority of the population, I don’t think it would.
I will definitely get this tea again, but I’m not sure I would in the near future because this is a more expensive tea. I realize that I am paying for something that is of a high, rare quality to be enjoyed for hours and steeps on end-it’s paying for the unique experience. And that is an experience to be savored.
Flavors: Cream, Floral, Grass, Milk, Sweet, Toffee, Vegetal
