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So I scented a sample with a crap ton of Bourbon vanilla beans for a month…. and the results were great. First steep at 30 sec, slightly higher grammage no more than 4 grams, and water at 185 F.

It turned being a light, sweet floral vanilla with a light malt background. In short, it was very close to Liquid Proust’s French Toast Dianhong, just a hint fruitier, lighter, and oddly dryer. This confirmed what I thought though: vanilla blends naturally well with white teas. Though this one is incredibly unique compared to others, there are a few notes that undeniably belong to a white, and I’ve had vanilla with a white before.

The second steep was closer to western, getting in at a minute and five seconds. Maple, dry malt, honey, and playful vanilla come up. Experiment=success.

Okay, not bad cold brewed. A little more grassy, still creamy and floral. Surprisingly thicker. Could have used sweetener like honey crystals.

It’s been a while since I had this. There are about two cups left, so now was the right time for the revisit. I was craving something smooth and light and texture.

I do not know what I did, but the tea was lovely this time. There were strong notes of nuts, unsweetened coconut milk, and balanced butter all around. Some vegetal profiles transitioned smoothly in the floral background. That was in the first steep. Steep two was much the same but slightly sweeter and dryer. It had the honey taste that could be as a result of the very light roast that some leaves have. I seriously wonder if this tea tastes better because a roasted vanilla tie guan yin occupied the cup before. Oh well, you will find out when I finally getting to review Revival.

More than likely its the culprit, but this tea again does have a light roast on some leaves and does yield a naturally warm milk profile. I do like the flavored one I have more, but I definitely appreciate the natural quality of this Alishan a lot more than I previously did. Might cold brew the rest…

This tea is still one of my all time favorites. I have three balls left, and one to drink. I steeped it for less than a minute in six ounces of 192 F water, and I pour over this clear liquor glimmering transparent white gold. It was not dark at all and translucent, and when I took a sip, a sweet floral and creamy vanilla flooded my tongue with a cinnamon toast crunch cereal sugar quality at the back of my jaw.

I have a lot more to write about Liquid Proust’s newer blends, but that will be later.

I’m on brew two, and know that I am very happy right now.

Backlog: the last time I had this, it was buttery bock choy rancid. The smell from the bag has also been overwhelmingly buttery and vegetal-almost like cooked spinach. Next time I drink this, I am going to use a lot less leaves to tone down the green. I hope it is not due to something a little more serious, but more than likely, the overpowering smell may be from a larger amount of that oolong piled in a large bag.

Sip down. Brewed it right this time. Pineapple and grass notes were well balanced in floral creaminess. I need to remind myself that less leaf and time means less grassy.

Last night’s brew was amazing. It was a copper liqour balanced by a buttery note of yams and dark chocolate with that same bittersweet cherry aftertaste. This morning, it was just black tea with the usual black tea aftertaste. I used less leaves this time, and steeped time all over the place. It was not until steep three that the character I enjoy about this tea came back. This is just a repeat of a fact that anyone on here knows: a good tea can be altered by a bad brew.

What is up with me. Maybe I’ve been over-leaving or steeping, but I have not enjoyed my jade oolongs lately. They have either been too grassy or sour, especially this one. I’ve gotten more florals, mint, and watercress which I do not always enjoy. It could be seasonal, because I am finding myself craving something like a Loashan oolong or black tea. Either way, I’ve been having a hard time drinking this variety.

I’m so behind on backlogs. I was saving something for note 666, but after the divisive reaction to the U.S. election, I deemed a themed tea inappropriate. There is so much that I could deconstruct and rant, but I am focused on the tea.

I’ve had this a few times at a great Coffee and Gelato Shop called Iorio’s to settle stomach and headaches. It does the job, but my main criticism is how much Turmuric the tea has. It’s practically an herbal Emegen-C packet. Not bad, but not great. Solid enough for me to keep buying. I do enjoy the ginger taste on its own, however. I overall prefer this for its medicinal properties over a pleasantly acceptable taste.