Stanley's Blend

Just a short note for this one! This is a good blend, but there’s not much complexity to talk about (well, not that I can pick up).

I had a little sample of this today – like the Malachi McCormick, this is quite decent! It’s got plenty of malty body thanks to the Assam, with just a hint of Darjeeling to brighten it up. This does get really astringent as it cools, though.

Backlogging this from a week ago (I had written it down, but then ended up at the hospital and had a baby).

I can’t remember having a pure assam before (or even a blend with assam in it), so this is one of my first (if not first) forays into the assam world.

I brewed according to the directions on the tin (boiling water, 5 minute steep) and the resulting liquid was so dark it almost looked like a poorly brewed cup of coffee.

The first sip is smooth, with a hint of malt and a dry finish. I didn’t find it overly tannic, but there’s definitely some tannins in there. I also bought a tin of Harney & Sons Organic Assam, so it will be interesting for me to compare the two. I like this tea, but it’s a little strong for me right off the bat. I think I’ll end up tinkering with amounts/brewing time, etc to get it just right, but it’s a great everyday tea for sure.

This is a well balanced blend of Assam and Darjeeling with a bright, crisp taste. It is full, round and extroverted like Assam but polished, polite and refined like Darjeeling. It is an earthy, hard-working Assam freshly showered and dressed in a Darjeeling tuxedo. It has a slightly sweet finish. This tea is delicious on its own without cream or sugar but takes both well.

Another one of our tea flights for the weekend, Stanley’s blend has a smooth malty flavor of Assam, lightened by Darjeeling.