90

My grandparents raised me on the cold hard English Earl Grey. That cooling tea is still one of the very few flavored I enjoy. I saw this tea, and I knew that I needed to give it a try. I still get excited when I discover new Greys. I picked some up with plans to try a little, and then pass it along to my Grandparents to judge. I didn’t even have to open the package to be greeted with the enlightening scent of the Earl. I tore open the package, and my tea room was filled with an intense clean aroma. The crisp scent of citrus and camphor filled the air. I took a sniff at the leaves and took in this pleasantly powerful scent. I noticed a slight underlying malt and baked bread that curbed these intense aromas. I warmed my gaiwan and placed these soft velvety curls inside. The scent deepens to hot fluffy bread with honey drizzled on top. I took in the bittersweet chocolate in the background. Then, I noticed the ever slightest hint of anise creeping forth through the chocolate. This would be a new spin on the typical Earl for me, and I was pretty excited. I sat and enjoyed these scents for quite some time before I washed the leaves and prepared for brewing. Once the hot spring water hit these golden curls the tea completely changed. The tones of the wet leaf changed to a smooth malt and wet wood. The chocolate became dark and drying. The background was misted with a sharp cooling tone. The taste was spectacular. This tea gives the impression of sharp and powerful bergamont tones; however, the actual flavor tells a different story. The fist sip begins with warm and concentrated honey. Then, it moves into a smooth but brief malt and lubricates the mouth. The brew develops in the mouth with light wood tones and a chocolate sweetness. This brew fills the mouth and gives some great feeling. This is a thick and syrupy brew. The smooth body can be felt all the way down to the stomach after sipping. The cooling sensation from the bergamont is slight but it withstands throughout steeping. The nice cooling action is present most in the aftertaste, and it combines well with the heavy malt tones of the snails. The later steeping sessions have a slightly sour tone, but it continues to have some decent mouth action. This was a fantastic re-representation of The Earl. I’m very happy to have tried it. The steeped leaves are intact and long. This makes a perfect companion with the morning breakfast or a late night snack. I will be sending some off to my Grandparents to get their two cents worth.

https://www.instagram.com/p/9ewn_SzGYm/?taken-by=haveteawilltravel

Flavors: Anise, Bergamot, Bread, Camphor, Chocolate, Dark Bittersweet, Dark Chocolate, Honey, Malt, Orange, Wet Wood

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 15 sec 5 g 3 OZ / 100 ML
Nicole

Great review. Loved this tea.

keychange

Loved this note!

mrmopar

You have lucky grandparents!

MzPriss

The review is great! But uh oh! You tore open the package!!!!

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Comments

Nicole

Great review. Loved this tea.

keychange

Loved this note!

mrmopar

You have lucky grandparents!

MzPriss

The review is great! But uh oh! You tore open the package!!!!

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Bio

Young and experienced Tea consumer. I’m continuously learning and developing knowledge about tea. If I have learned anything at all from the world of tea it is that I do not know anything about the world of tea. I enjoy good tea, and I try to acquire the best of the best. I usually brew gongfu but I’ve been known from time to time to resort back to western brewing.

I have an Instagram (haveteawilltravel), and I am proud of my photographs. I use my pictures in my reviews,and I hope that they aid in portraying the beauty of tea and teaware.

https://www.instagram.com/haveteawilltravel/?hl=en

Tea Rating System:
I rate my teas based on the category they fall into (Puer, Red, Oolong, Darjeeing, Flushes, Yancha… etc.)
This means that I will rate a Oolong based on how it stands up as a quality Oolong. I try not to compare teas, rather I work to evaluate them on their craftsmanship, harvest, processing, and qi.

I am most strict with Shou and Sheng Puerh, only because of the vast expanse of various experiences, such as; region, vintage, production, processing, etc.

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