Premium Taiwanese Assam Upgrade

Verdict is out, I much prefer the non upgraded version of Stacy’s premium Taiwanese Assam. That’s not to say that the upgraded version doesn’t taste yummy, but the notes that come alive when the tea is brewed are to my preference in the non upgraded version. This version is a bolder, stronger cup of tea that is less fruity and chocolate that the first version. It is malty and i do get the cocoa notes, but the sweetness in the non upgraded version isn’t in the upgraded version. Still a fine cup of tea that I’m glad i tried, but final verdict is that i prefer the other version :)

Hmmm, yes, this is definitely a bit different in flavour from the regular Premium Taiwanese Assam. I’m getting… almost a raspberry sort of fruitiness at the beginning of the sip, which just kind of fades. Yes, definitely raspberry. I’m not getting any chocolate, though this tea is tastily malty.

I’ve gotta go, so I’ll review this better later, but I think I may actually prefer the lower version to this one, as I love those chocolate notes! I think this tea works the fruity angle a bit more, which is only present in the aftertaste of the Premium version.

Thank you Stacy for this sample tea!

I’m not going to compare this Assam to the other Butiki Assam Tea’s. It would be unfair and disrespectful. The leaves are grown in different regions, and the trees along with climate are giving their best.

I’m looking at the liquor in a glass mug.

The clarity of it’s topaz color is very fine, and when the light catches a corner of the glass…gold and peach tones glisten.

I can smell maltiness.

Lifting the cup to drink, the malt smoothes to milk chocolate and finishes with caramel corn.

The flavor is soft and smooth.

Slurping the tea on the second sip (which I should have done in the beginning), I taste light citrus…very clean and fresh.

I’ve tasted an Assam Blend from Taiwan before, but not a pure Assam.

This tea is sweet and light. A tea that I would reserve for warmer months because of the liquid honey sweetness and clean varied flavors.

Taste note numba 50! :D

Okay, I’m weird. I don’t taste what everyone else tastes, but what I taste, I love. So I guess that’s okay then. :)

Taiwanese Assam Upgrade version tastes like sitting in a log cabin in front of a roaring fire. It’s thick, and hearty, and especially goes great with a hot bowl of Red River cereal in the morning. What’s really strange though, is that for me this tea tastes really savory! It’s amazing how differently people interpret different tastes, but no matter when I have this, or regardless of if I have anything before it or not, that’s what I taste. I don’t know how else to describe it. I’ve had multiple cups of this now, and I can’t really tell you what it brings to mind other than the image I explained above.

Sadly, due to it being a AAA tea, it’s pretty expensive. Dx; Especially when you factor in how much leaf you use per cup. If I was as rich as the impression I’m giving a certain tea retailer by my multiple large orders this past month, I’d make sure to have this on hand at all times, but since I’m not and there are other teas I do ultimately like better, this’ll be a once in a while indulgence purchase. :)

(By the way, for Steepsterites outside of Canada, Red River cereal is a type of porridge, but it’s kind of seeds and grains rather than being composed of oats. It’s very hearty and delicious, and I feel for you that it seems to only be in Canada.)

Another tasty Assam from Stacy, very nicely malty & Bold.
This one is very different from the non-upgrade version, & I won’t compare them to one another, except to say that this one has almost a Dian Hong mouth feel to it, & the taste even leans a little bit in that direction, in my opinion.

It is poring down rain today with thunder and lightening, so what else to do but sip delicious teas!

I’m too busy sipping this to type out a lengthy note………yum!

Very hot this tea does have a subtle fruity note at the front, then I definitely get the sweet pipe tobacco, finishing up with malt. As the tea cools the fruit layer disappears for me. This is a very smooth cup to me no bitterness, with a very light astringency…very light.
My neighbor smokes a cigar on his porch most nights and I enjoy the fragrance of the sweet ones. I wonder if he would enjoy coming over for a cup of this tea!
The finish is very complex, I can’t quite describe it yet…I taste malt but there is something else going on that lingers on my tongue.
I need to try the non-upgrade too.

Finally getting around to tasting this one. My exploration of black tea has so far been pretty positive. I didn’t know I could like it, but I’m so glad I’ve been trying them out. I’ve learned a lot about my likes, and I’ve grown to appreciate black tea – not all black tea is bitter tea, and not all astringency is bitterness! This one is another win in the black tea category.

The smell of this one reminds me of sweet potato or yam, with some honey notes, and a slight hint of cacao. This is definitely a savory smelling tea. Bake-y, earthy, and slightly sweet.

I’m definitely getting the bready/baked notes in the taste, as well as some of that sweet potato-y aspect. I’m picking up slight sweet fruit notes throughout- citrus fruits, like lemon. There is also a cacao taste, most present at the back of the sip. A malty taste runs throughout. In the middle somewhere is where the tobacco taste comes through. It’s fresh, earthy, and subtly sweet. Pretty smooth mouthfeel in this cuppa, too!

Other flavors I’m picking up in subtle amounts:
Honey
Brown sugar
Yeast
Astringency (only very slight amounts – adds more of a spice than any bitterness)

I’m really enjoying this one. It’s different from any black tea I’ve had so far. I mean, tobacco notes? That’s pretty unique! I like the savory profile here. Can’t wait to try the regular Premium Taiwanese Assam and see how it compares/differs.

I love teas that are malty so it’s hardly surprising that I often choose Assam.
This one is a bit different from the ones I have tried before: more subtle with hints of citrus and honey and nice malty finish that lingers in your mouth. I had it with a pecan covered in premium dark chocolate. What else a person needs?