1433 Tasting Notes
Sipdown!
I’m going to miss this because it’s an awesome, full-bodied smoky tea that I’m particularly drawn to on cold, dark mornings. Added bonus is it resteeps well, up to 3-4 times. Black Leopard has your typical smoked wood profile – with hints of florals. Also present are fruity notes, like jammy dates and guava – but they’re very subtle.
This may be a re-order down the road (and in a tin if they have it)! Lapsang Souchong and similar styled teas are an easy staple for me – and not one that I’m particularly picky about – but this one has something that pops compared to the few others I’ve tried.
Flavors: Bittersweet, Dates, Floral, Fruity, Guava, Malt, Smoke, Smooth, Tobacco, Vanilla, Woody
Dammann Frères Advent Calendar – Day 18
Serviceable, but I can’t help but compare it unfavourably to my favourite chocolate mint tisane (that one contained anise and vanilla and I miss it dearly). This kind of of tea makes an enjoyable evening aperitif; I appreciate how it’s not sweet too.
Flavors: Bittersweet, Cacao, Dark Chocolate, Earthy, Fresh, Herbaceous, Mint
52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 11
Lemon Meringue Chai was one of my favourite’s from old 52teas but it’s been ages (11 years) since I’ve tried it – and tastes change, right?
I made this up as a latte, with frothy milk – and, at first sip, I thought this wasn’t going to do it for me anymore. But, noooo, the sweet, tangy lemon zest absolutely builds with each sip and as it cools. There’s my meringue dimensions! Mmm… It’s completely captured the magic of first trying this delightfully unique chai.
Flavors: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Citrus, Cloves, Creamy, Fruity, Ginger, Lemon, Lemon Zest, Lemongrass, Meringue, Pepper, Spices, Sweet, Tangy, Vanilla, Woody
52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 9
First steep is a bit more robust and malty, layered with thick nut butter and sweet red berry jam/jelly. Second steep was less bold and more creamy sweet. It’s the perfect wake-me-up breakfast tea.
Flavors: Astringent, Berries, Brisk, Butter, Creamy, Fruity, Grain, Jam, Malty, Nutty, Peanut, Raspberry, Sweet, Tannic, Thick, Toast
52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 10
Again, not loving rooibos much lately, but Anne does a lovely soda tea. It’s convincingly effervescent, tangy-sweet, and crisp. Not too sweet though – more like an Italian soda, or tonic water with a dash of citrus. This blend is pleasant iced or cold steeped.
Flavors: Berry, Citrusy, Cranberry, Crisp, Drying, Effervescent, Floral, Fruity, Mineral, Sweet, Syrupy, Tangy
Mariage Frères Advent Calendar – Day 23
Bumping my old rating up a notch. This year it lives up to its “sublime” namesake. I was choked when I finally resteeped it to the point of death this morning. Can’t recalled the last time I had such a smooth, silky, creamy flavoured green tea that manages to convincingly play the role of a rich, fruity dessert – without tasting artificial and heavy-handed.
Flavors: Berries, Candy, Creamy, Floral, Raspberry, Red Fruits, Rhubarb, Silky, Smooth, Strawberry, Vanilla
Dammann Frères Advent Calendar – Day 23
I’ve never heard of this dessert but this flavoured rooibos makes me want to try it! This caffeine-free beverage tastes like nougat or a marzipan candy – with bits of melon and orange. It’s unique, round, and works surprisingly well enough with the base that it almost tempts me to give rooibos blends another shot at life in my stash. I can actually envision myself drinking this in the evening…
Flavors: Almond, Candied Fruit, Citrus, Floral, Fruity, Marzipan, Melon, Nutty, Orange, Sweet
Dammann Frères Advent Calendar – Day 24
Annnnd… this wraps up my Dammann Frères advent (and I’m now all caught up with my notes)! While I’m more familiar with this company’s teas than I was three years ago, this advent continues to please me with its offerings of mostly flavoured teas. It’s a lovely balance of familiar and new-to-me samples.
In no particular order, some of my favourites this year’s advent: Blanc d’Oranger, My Tiramasu, Oolong Châtaigne, Noël à Pékin (always), Oolong Passion de Fleurs, and Canissoun. Coming as no surprise, oolong and fruity teas are my typical favourites, but loving the coffee dessert blend was a shocker.
Anyways, this tea… While I initially didn’t care for this cherry-flavoured Christmas tea overly much, with repetition comes that welcome familiarity. It’s like fruit cake in more ways than one. I shared a pot with my mom and she particularly enjoyed it.
Flavors: Cake, Candied Fruit, Caramel, Cherry, Citrusy, Fig, Fruity, Malt, Maraschino, Orange Blossom, Pineapple, Smooth, Sweet, Syrupy
Mariage Frères Advent Calendar – Day 24
It wouldn’t be a proper Christmas Eve without a blue oolong that tastes like biscuits, brioche, nut butter, cream, berries, and assorted fruits – including melon. This tea tastes like a million things (ok, maybe only 13 things); I can’t pick out all (or any) of the notes for sure, but it is tasty. Just a bit of a mind game with that blue colour.
Steep Count: 3
Flavors: Almond, Berries, Biscuit, Bread, Candied Fruit, Citrus, Creamy, Floral, Fruity, Hazelnut, Jam, Melon, Mineral, Nuts, Red Fruits, Sweet, Vegetal
It seems they have it in the tin :) Interesting, but honestly not sure if I would be able to drink 80 g (or more!) of it in timely manner.
I’d share this if I ordered more (probably in the fall) and anyone is interested. Although, sending it out in flimsy plastic bags is tricky because it has such a contaminating aroma lol
Sometimes, smokey teas last for years in my cupboard (I have a ok one from A&D circa 2013…), but this I still polished off relatively quickly, despite attempts at rationing. It’s not different enough to win over the smoke-adverse among us though (my mom is such and she hated when I made this tea in her presence :P).