I suspect he oversteeped this. It was bitter, but overly so, and in that tannic, cloying way that makes my mouth dry.
The bitterness overshadowed the smokiness that I believe was poking out but can’t be sure really. The slight sweetness managed to get me through most of the cup but eventually it became too much for me and I tossed the last of it in the bin.
I’m not writing this one off, but now don’t want to invest in a take home batch… hmmm, always a gamble.
2 Tasting Notes
Steeped this tea has slightly smokey characteristic oolong aroma, very gentle and pleasant. Liquor has a fresh grassy taste which immediately turns into a complex aftertaste, with familiar smokiness from smelling the tea. There is a slight bitterness that stays in the mouth. Cup smells like a very high quality brown sugar or honey based on different infusions. Color of the infusion is a very deep gold, I could get about 6-8 very flavorful infusions (gaiwan) from it with last ones being only grassier and fresher than earlier ones. Flavor stays very strong throughout all infusions. Definitely a tea I’d recommend.
