Puttabong 1st Flush Darjeeling 2012 [Out of Stock]

Tea type
Black Tea
Ingredients
Not available
Flavors
Not available
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Bulk, Loose Leaf
Caffeine
Not available
Certification
Not available
Edit tea info Last updated by toasted toads
Average preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 30 sec

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14 Tasting Notes View all

  • “This tasting note is for the 2012 version of this tea. And I’ve gone a bit FF darjeeling mad recently but it’s all been worth it, hee hee. The dry leaf smells very fresh and floral in the tin. When...” Read full tasting note
    95
  • “This is a free sample provided by Russel Allyn and Harney and Sons. I have had this a few times already, but it still takes me by surprise. When I served the Luis Darjeeling that is very dark and...” Read full tasting note
  • “First, thank you to Amy oh for this sample! Maybe I’m nuts, because I haven’t seen others note this, but to me, this has a very buttery smell when steeped. A little spinachy. No butter in the...” Read full tasting note
    81
  • “Sample swap provided by @Amy Oh I haven’t had a FF Darjeeling since last year, so this was refreshing to drink. Unfortunately I do not have a lot of experience with darjeeling black teas, so I...” Read full tasting note

From Harney & Sons

This is a clonal Darjeeling that has more body and is less green than the Risheehat. The aromas and flavors are a bit “darker” than the tropical fruits found in the Risheehat. This lovely Darjeeling was made by the famous Jayshree Tea Company (they also make the Risheehat).

About Harney & Sons View company

Since 1983 Harney & Sons has been the source for fine teas. We travel the globe to find the best teas and accept only the exceptional. We put our years of experience to work to bring you the best Single-Estate teas, and blends beyond compare.

14 Tasting Notes

95
2816 tasting notes

This tasting note is for the 2012 version of this tea.

And I’ve gone a bit FF darjeeling mad recently but it’s all been worth it, hee hee.

The dry leaf smells very fresh and floral in the tin. When you steep this up you can see how green the leaves still are! I’m not sure of my exact temp. since I don’t have my thermometer here but it was definitely below boiling.

When I steeped this up, it’s a medium yellow with a slight flowery aroma. I was hoping for a slightly more floral aroma but the flavor of this is outstanding. I might try steeping for a longer period next time. I’m picking up nuances of tropical fruit with a slight spice and a bit of rich nuttiness. I’m finding this to be sweet and mellow with only a slight astringency in the finish. A bit pricey but definitely a good purchase I am not going to regret … :)

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 0 sec
ScottTeaMan

WOW!! Look at all these high ratings for dreadful Darjeelings. BLEH!! :)) HaHaHaa……..

TeaBrat

LOL! Hey, I never knew how much I liked FF darjeelings because I never had any!

ScottTeaMan

I think I’ll pass on buying the Puttabong from Harney’s. I’m ordering from Thunderbolt & samples from that other company we talked about. I’ll seng you some samples of the Thunderbolt teas in our next swap if you want.

TeaBrat

probably a good idea, after all there’s only so many you can drink before they get stale. ;-)

ScottTeaMan

I’m not going to get a sample of every one though, esp with my future TBolt order.

TeaBrat

why not? :-P

ScottTeaMan

If you only knew how much tea I had! :-p

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3219 tasting notes

This is a free sample provided by Russel Allyn and Harney and Sons.

I have had this a few times already, but it still takes me by surprise. When I served the Luis Darjeeling that is very dark and earthy at tea party, my guest wasn’t a fan. It was one of only a few teas she put on her “list.” And I don’t mean a good list. Puerh is also on her list.

I served this as our middle tea of three. I only poured her a half cup and told her if she liked it we would top it off. It is so surprising to see a black tea that has a yellow liquor! She tasted, and said it was good, not her favorite tea but nothing like the last Darjeeling we had.

Then she had a cookie and sipped again. She said, “Fill ’er up!” Apparently it was just made to be paired with sweets. She was very taken with it. It had a very vegetal taste to me today and was reminding me a bit of my first Ruby 18. So here is yet another tea that I need for my Harney Tea shelf.

Many thanks, Russell and Harney and Sons!

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81
790 tasting notes

First, thank you to Amy oh for this sample!

Maybe I’m nuts, because I haven’t seen others note this, but to me, this has a very buttery smell when steeped. A little spinachy. No butter in the taste, though.

Light golden in color, a bit floral but not very much to my taste. To me, this seems a lot like a green with somewhat less vegetal impression. Somewhat astringent and dry mouth feel. Lighter than the seconds and autumnals that I’m used to drinking.

I like this, but I don’t know that I’m going to be a huge fan of first flushes. A bit too light overall for me for this to be a favorite.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 30 sec

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326 tasting notes

Sample swap provided by @Amy Oh

I haven’t had a FF Darjeeling since last year, so this was refreshing to drink.
Unfortunately I do not have a lot of experience with darjeeling black teas, so I can’t comment too much on this one experience as to it’s quality. Overall, it tasted like an enjoyable darjeeling and none of the characteristics were off-putting.

Thanks for the sample Amy!

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec
TeaBrat

oooo! Too bad I love my darjeelings. :)

Dorothy

I like them, just haven’t invested a lot of time and money into trying enough.

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95
41 tasting notes

Ah! An Afternoon first flush experience! My timer says it’s done!

One thing I love about this one is when I pour the water into my Bodum carafe, this wonderful flowery aroma comes wafting up and smells so good. I was never a great fan of first flushes, but the last few years they have become one of my favorite afternoon teas. This one is really special: flowery and soft with a light brown-green liquor.

It has no need of sugar or milk. It is wonderfully subtle with that magical Darjeeling perfection. Ah!!!
Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 5 min, 0 sec
TeaBrat

this is yummy!

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82
8 tasting notes

So as Amy Oh said, I too am getting a little first flush Darjeeling bonkers these past few months. I have always been a bit fan of the astringent and bright quality of Darjeeling teas but never had an unblended, tea-bag version. Harney’s Puttabong was not my first, and is not my favorite (Harney’s previous Singbulli was absolutely terrific, review forthcoming), but I do have to say, the complexity of this release is really quite wonderful.

First, the leaves, as with most of Harney’s teas, are beautiful. Such a wonderful blend of colors in these rolled leaves, the first view doesn’t really give the impression of a black tea. The smell of the dry leaves is quite floral, yet slight (I get zucchini blossoms, vegetable + flowers).

I decided to do a full temp, and a moderate black tea steep (~200F @ 4 minutes). I typically like a strong cup but decided to go with the traditional style. I poured the tea and smelled the steeped leaves, which greeted me with a very earthy, deep tones, which mellowed as they cooled. By the smell of the leaves, I was concerned, but my fears were quickly abated with the first sip. It brewed up with a light golden yellow liquor and I drank it without any milk or sweetener of any kind. The tea has more body than I expected, coupled with a nice astringency. The aroma is very nice, and less floral than others, which may be a benefit to many of you. I actually like the citrus and flower quality that many Darjeelings possess, but the subtlety in the combination of numerous qualities, without an overwhelming character, make this tea very round and pleasant.

After a busy day at work, learning of new things I must accomplish, this was a wonderful way to unwind and begin my evening homework. I am currently listening to a bit of Sia and Imogen Heap, which paired delightfully with this brew. Again, I am a bit more partial to the floral and fragrant quality in the Singbulli first flush previously released by Harney, but this is finding its way in my cupboard as a terrific replacement. If for nothing else, I am being more and more encouraged that this may be my favorite style of tea, hoping to fill out my collection with a few more.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 4 min, 0 sec
Jeremy

I should note that I am drinking the fairly recent 2012 release of this tea, happy sipping everyone :)

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97
10 tasting notes

This may be my favorite tea, behind some rich select Keemun Mao Fengs. It is light and floral with that signature bite, slight pucker and vibrant nose that is a classic Darjeeling. Slight hints of pineapple and a little bit of muscatel blend together for a special sensory experience. Call me crazy but also I sometimes get a hint of lavender or gardenia. It finishes off smooth and has a nice amount amount of caffeine to get you moving. Unfortunately I am running low on this one and it was last year’s crop. Hopefully more like this will come around.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 15 sec

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100
9 tasting notes

Being more of a Chinese Black Tea drinker I’m fairly new to English/India Black Teas. So far Darjeeling has been my English Black Tea of choice. Of the few websites I’ve ordered from Darjeeling from two stand out by far. Harney and Sons and Blue Lantern Tea. Puttabong 1st Flush Darjeeling and Blue Lantern Darjeeling taste essentially the same (to me) which is outstanding. I typically buy from Blue Lantern Tea because I like their Chinese teas and they are very personable but I would recommend Harney and Sons to anybody.

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1 tasting notes

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75
13 tasting notes

Light, buttery, vegital. Very nice.

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