100
drank Guria Likhauri by Dobra Cajovna
1557 tasting notes

This is one of those teas where I ask myself: “Where do I start?”

A fine Georgian black tea complex enough to be satisfying but never pretentious. It feels like an accessible yet refined ‘peoples’ tea. Fruity, floral, woody, malty. Delicate, lightly stewed fruits and grape verging on muscatel with a touch of butter, leather, salt. Rosewater and cherrywood base. The malt never dominates. Balanced astringency. Some spiciness in feel but not in taste. Nice fruity, tangy aftertaste. The body is damn near perfect for a stands-on-its-own black tea.

Granted I only had enough of this from a swap with Martin to have 3 days of western prep, it seems like a versatile tea. It has that comforting sweater weather feeling that made the past few mornings’ cloudy cold snap more bearable, but it’s also light and bright enough to feel refreshing on this sunnier and warmer spring morning. It sits so right with me. Thanks, Martin :)

Flavors: Apricot, Bread Dough, Butter, Cherry, Cherry Wood, Dark Wood, Floral, Fruity, Grapes, Leather, Malt, Mint, Muscatel, Peach, Plum, Rose, Rosehips, Salt, Spicy, Stewed Fruits, Tangy, Yeast

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML
Martin Bednář

You are welcome! I know I have to buy some more again. It is one of the finest black teas I had! As you said, good on its own.

ashmanra

That sounds wonderful! I have seen a Georgian tea for sale in Chapel Hill but never tried it. May need to have a look again.

Martin Bednář

ashmanra: I can get some, if you want to. Or O have something still in cupboard, but I don’t know how much. Feel free to write me an E-mail.

ashmanra

Thank you for the offer, Martin! I may take you up on that!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

People who liked this

Comments

Martin Bednář

You are welcome! I know I have to buy some more again. It is one of the finest black teas I had! As you said, good on its own.

ashmanra

That sounds wonderful! I have seen a Georgian tea for sale in Chapel Hill but never tried it. May need to have a look again.

Martin Bednář

ashmanra: I can get some, if you want to. Or O have something still in cupboard, but I don’t know how much. Feel free to write me an E-mail.

ashmanra

Thank you for the offer, Martin! I may take you up on that!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

bicycle bicycle bicycle

Location

California, USA

Following These People

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer