1910 (The Devotea's Premium Hand Blended English Breakfast, renamed))

I started my first real day of my vacation this morning with this tea. I’ve had English Breakfast many times before but this was good, really good! A nice blend of three different teas. I have to tell you I did add a touch of soy milk and a cube of suger to this cup and it did play well with the tea. It was a nice gentle ease into my day at the beach.

It’s been awhile since I’ve imbibed a good English Breakfast, and this certainly qualifies. The dry leaves smelled like both Assam and Keemun, but I’m not sure Keemun was used due to how light the liquor brewed. On taste, it was smoky, malty, smooth, and somewhat forest-like on the finish. Not quite Petersham excellence, but still up there.

I am more of an Irish Breakfast type, but I do enjoy a good English Breakfast on occasion. And this IS a good English Breakfast. The brewed leaves are an attractive mix of greens and coppers, with a pleasant fruity scent. The liquor is a robust amber shade with excellent clarity; it tastes bright, smooth and a touch rich/fruity. Even brewing for five full minutes doesn’t make it rough or unpleasant. I haven’t tried adding milk or sugar to it – there is really no need – but I can definitely recommend drinking it alongside a piece of toast with honey, for one of the best breakfasts around.

Quite by chance, I met ‘The Devotea" and he gave me samples of all 6 of his teas. So, they might end up being my first six reviews.
So, I’ve had a cup, so I’m sharing my first impressions.
Overall a good tea. I’d have it at home as a kind of default if I’m in a milk-and-sugar mood. It’s got a sweetness that I think comes from what is probably a strong Keemun base.
I think he’s got the old-fashionedness of this one right. It’s exactly as you’d expect, if your expectations were high.
As I also take price into account – and it’s not a cheap tea – I will award it 4 leaves out of five.