Yunnan Golden Tips Imperial (ZY85)

The Final Sipdown: Day 8
Decupboarding Total: 16

I’ve had a number of Upton samples lately and think I’ve just gotten it in my head that Upton teas don’t sparkle for me. I’ve tried too many samples for me to have coincidentally only picked bad teas. There have been a few teas that are quite good but still nothing that has changed my developing view of the overall lack of wonder Upton provides.

This one is one of the few tasty teas. The dry leaf has a very malty smell to it – it’s surprisingly strong. The tea tastes smooth and malty and has a bit of dry hay note. It’s very tasty and I like it. It reminds me a ton of Teavana’s Golden Monkey and so which would be a great tea… if I hadn’t tried Teas Etc’s Golden Monkey.

Still, it’s strong and bold but smooth and sweet with perhaps a bit of a peppery tingle that’s left on the end of my tongue. It’s not overly nuanced and I’m not detecting any milkiness to it, but there would be worse things to buy if you had to buy tea from Upton.

I don’t think this is the one I got current, mine looks more orangish to mr and the number ZY77 but the same name, Anyways WoW! this one is good very bold and strong not as bold as an Assam or a breakfast tea but it was plenty bold enough stand alone tea with slight hints of chestnut.this tea was begging for sugar and cream and i was in the mood for it, it was like chocolate goodness such a good tea, I want more just to drink with cream and sugar.

Initially, I was skeptical of these golden teas.

But they are rapidly becoming one of my favorites and this selection from Upton is right up the fairway (I’ve been playing a lot of disc golf) with that disarming combination of astringency and sweetness.