NOTE This is another sample thanks to my friend Roberto. This was at work, so I might add another note at another time.
Dry Leaf – Faint black tea sweetness, Oolong/Liu-An scent
Wet Leaf – Roasty sweetness, some black tea scent, hints of caramel/malt/chocolate like a roasted Oolong, slightly fruity.
I did a mega quick wash.
1st Steep – 15secs Clean and sweet, yet not so clean. There is an ‘aged’ characteristic that so far I can only compare to a Liu-An tea. It has a slightly herbaceous scent. There’s a lingering taste that is very pleasant, like a roasted/charcoal Oolong; maybe an extremely well aged ripe puerh.
2nd Steep – 30secs Again, a mixture of clean/yet very unique taste to it with sweetness. The ‘aged’ taste and ‘toasty’ taste is more tobacco/chocolate like (very pleasant not like someone smoking right next to you :P) almost like a charcoal roasted Oolong. The sweetness can also be compared to that of a charcoal oolong, which is very present but unique to the roasting process. The aftertaste is lingering and sweet, seems to outlast most black teas I’ve had (except a purple varietal).
3rd Steep – 45secs Not as ‘clean’, more roast/charcoal Oolong like with apparent sweetness as it washes down. The body is a lot lighter in this steep but still present. Yet this steep to me seems sweeter than previously. It has a very nice and lasting sweetness.
FINAL NOTES
A very different black tea, almost not a black tea at all. If you only like strong black teas, this one I’d stand clear from. BUT! if you like subtle and more complex teas then go for it. I’m glad I didn’t read the description of the tea on the page before trying it. Once I had tasted it and checked it out I found myself saying “ahhhh! that’s why it resembles an Oolong..” and “Now it makes sense why the aftertaste lingers so well”.
I don’t think it is an every day tea, but it is a very special experience that can be appreciated. The sweetness lingers!
