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drank Imperial North Winds by Whispering Pines Tea Company
1705 tasting notes

Thank you, Brenden!

This is becoming a new favorite. I’ve done this western and Gong Fu. I have a slight preference gong fu so that I can enjoy it slower flavor by flavor, but it smoothens out well with longer steeps. I was surprised how small the leaves are, though it’s like looking at hairs from black sheeps golden fleece. In essence, pretty.

It does bear similarities to the original blend in all Brenden’s favorite profiles of cocoa, chocolate, cherry, un-added vanilla, CARAMEL, but this higher grade of leaves does make the blend more refined. The original had some rougher edges with occasional, but highly desirable astringency, bitterness and dryness. The Imperial blend has rye dryness, but not astringency or bitterness. Instead, it’s got malt done right-there where times where I had to remind myself that this was not Scotch. I personally got some present barley notes with butter, stonefruit and caramel. The fruitiness is very faint, but again, likes a scotch, serves as an accent.

I am glad I decided to get two oz since I am almost done with the first. It’s a perfect breakfast tea for when I don’t want to wake up. I like it as a soft lunch-rejolt, but it’s so great looking out at a cold, auburn and grey Michigan morning.

Flavors: Butter, Butterscotch, Caramel, Cherry, Chocolate, Cocoa, Malt, Roasted Barley, Rye, Scotch, Smooth, Stonefruit, Sweet, Vanilla

6 comments
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Leafhopper
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Is this the version of North Winds you sent me a sample of?

Daylon R Thomas
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This past year’s batch still has the cocoa/butterscotch, but not as fruity as the first time I got it.

Leafhopper
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I dug this out a while ago and am drinking it now. It’s full of cocoa and caramel, but those cherry/stonefruit notes disappeared after the second steep.

Daylon R Thomas
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Well, I’m glad you got the fun notes at least in the first cup. It’s consistently good, but can get weak. I hope you liked it! I am currently in FL, but have been planning the swap box. I am excited to include some goodies, like a certain White Jade from Wang…

Leafhopper
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I’ve had about ten steeps and you’re right, it’s consistently good, in spite of the stonefruit’s disappearing act. (It’s getting late and I’ll have to finish the session tomorrow.) Can’t wait for the White Jade! I still haven’t received my Wuyi Origin order, so your swap box is still a bit thin. :( At this point, there will be a lot of green oolongs.

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Leafhopper
Delete

Is this the version of North Winds you sent me a sample of?

Daylon R Thomas
Delete

This past year’s batch still has the cocoa/butterscotch, but not as fruity as the first time I got it.

Leafhopper
Delete

I dug this out a while ago and am drinking it now. It’s full of cocoa and caramel, but those cherry/stonefruit notes disappeared after the second steep.

Daylon R Thomas
Delete

Well, I’m glad you got the fun notes at least in the first cup. It’s consistently good, but can get weak. I hope you liked it! I am currently in FL, but have been planning the swap box. I am excited to include some goodies, like a certain White Jade from Wang…

Leafhopper
Delete

I’ve had about ten steeps and you’re right, it’s consistently good, in spite of the stonefruit’s disappearing act. (It’s getting late and I’ll have to finish the session tomorrow.) Can’t wait for the White Jade! I still haven’t received my Wuyi Origin order, so your swap box is still a bit thin. :( At this point, there will be a lot of green oolongs.

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Bio

First Off, Current Targets:

Whispering Pines Alice
Good Luxurious Work Teas
Wang Family’s Jasmine Shanlinxi
Spring, Winter Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs

Dislikes: Heavy Tannin, Astringency, Bitterness, or Fake Flavor, Overly herby herbal or aged teas

Picky with: Higher Oxidation Oolongs, Red Oolongs (Some I love, others give me headaches or are almost too sweet), Mint Teas

Currently, my stash is overflowing. Among my favorites are What-Cha’s Lishan Black, Amber Gaba Oolong, Lishan Oolong, Qilan Oolong, White Rhino, Kenya Silver Needle, Tong Mu Lapsang Black (Unsmoked); Whispering Pines Alice, Taiwanese Assam, Wang’s Shanlinxi, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Jasmine Shan Lin Xi; Beautiful Taiwan Tea Co.“Old Style” Dong Ding, Mandala Milk Oolong; Paru’s Milk Oolong

Me:

I am an MSU graduate, and current alternative ed. high school social studies and history teacher. I formerly minored in anthropology, and I love Egyptian and classical history. I love to read, write, draw, paint, sculpt, fence(with a sword), practice calisthenics on rings, lift weights, workout, relax, and drink a cuppa tea…or twenty.

I’ve been drinking green and black teas ever since I was little living in Hawaii. Eastern Asian influence was prominent with my friends and where I grew up, so I’ve been exposed to some tea culture at a young age. I’ve come a long way since I began on steepster and now drink most teas gong fu, especially oolong. Any tea that is naturally creamy, fruity, or sweet without a lot of added flavoring ranks as a must have for me. I also love black teas and dark oolongs with the elusive “cocoa” note. My favorites are lighter Earl Greys, some white teas like What-Cha’s Kenyan offerings, most Hong-Cha’s, darker Darjeelings, almost anything from Nepal, Green Shan Lin Xi’s, and Greener Dong Dings. I’m in the process of trying Alishan’s. I also tend to really enjoy Yunnan Black or Red teas and white teas. I’m pickier with other teas like chamomile, green teas, and Masalas among several.

I used to give ratings, but now I only rate teas that have a strong impression on me. If I really like it, I’ll write it down.

I’ll enjoy a tea almost no matter what, even if the purpose is more medicinal, for it is my truest vice and addiction.

Location

Michigan, USA

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