6105 Tasting Notes
Found a very old sample of this from someone (probably says who in a previous note, if I made one?). Anyways – had low expectations but was pleasantly surprised. Classic vintage 52teas black base, which I adore, with sweet, cakey, lemony notes. I was surprised that there was any lemon left at all! Looking forward to the final cup of this, which I should try to have sooner rather than later.
So I’m still confused about how this is a tieguanyin (I swore that was a type of oolong, not black?) but it’s clearly a black – and a delicious one at that! Even though… I ordered this between 5 and 5.5 years ago (oops – it was still sealed though). It reminds me of Laoshan Black, but it’s not quite as chocolatey, just very malty and rich. Highly recommend – I’m probably going to have another cup shortly as it’s really quite delicious.
I think tieguanyin is also a varietal, so perhaps they’re using that but processing it as a black tea?
Another new arrival from yesterday! Never has a “cream cheese” flavoured tea actually smelled so tangy. It was strange. The dry leaf has a definite aroma of banana (halfway between runts and natural banana – not bad) and tanginess. Once brewed, it’s more vanilla banana cake than anything, and that’s kind of where the flavour is too – the tanginess doesn’t really translate. But, it is tasty enough, and the aftertaste is truly like a banana cake – colour me surprised! The oolong is pairing quite well with the flavours, and probably contributing to the delicious cakiness. Overall a solid banana oolong; would recommend.
Just received this in the mail today! I’ve previously loved figgy teas, and was particularly excited about the dragon pearl base. However, I’m finding the tea to be too perfumey for me. I’m not sure if it’s the fig flavouring, or if the dragon pearls are jasmine-scented, but it’s just ok. Not really picking up anything great from the base black either, except late in the aftertase, after the floral dissipates.
Overall, probably good if you like floral blacks, but doesn’t scream jam to me, which would have been more of a rich sweetness.
This tea was in many ways similar to one of my faves from A Quarter to Tea, Peach Crostata. Therefore, I enjoyed it – but not as much as PC. In this last cup I had, I didn’t catch the heat nor the honey, in particular, but I also drank the tea cold while thirsty and trying to calm a fussy baby. So probably wasn’t paying 100% attention. Either way, it was good and definitely reminiscent of PC; I’d be unlikely to choose it over my fave, though, which has some additional delicious flavours.
Sipdown! (I think). This was likely a free sample from Teavivre (thanks!) Unfortunately, the note I wrote about it when drinking it for the first time is likely lost in a work email I wrote to myself, which is where I put things when I couldn’t post to Steepster. Sigh. Anyhow, I’m sure it was quite delicious when I first had it; it was good this time but as the packet was opened, I can’t write an accurate review for it, but can just say yum, oolong.
Sipdown! This was really good; I quite enjoyed it. The creaminess was present to this last cup, and lasted through multiple infusions. Yum.
(Also – woot for baby finally having a nap not in Mommy’s arms, so she can finally do things that require two hands! Like make tea and write tasting notes! Ahaha.)