please help find a replacement

I think you may need to just buy small samples of a bunch of black teas, and then experiment until you figure out what you like. :)

If you’re looking for a decent supermarket black tea, go peruse the tea aisle for loose leaf options. I don’t know about where you live, but my local grocery store carries some loose leaf “English Breakfast” and “Irish Breakfast” blends, which tend to be fairly strong, robust black teas. That might be worth a try.

Another thing to know is that the black tea grown in Kenya is usually the “assamica” variety, so you might get a similar flavour profile if you look at Indian black teas from Assam. By contrast, the Indian teas from Darjeeling and Nilgiri, as well as Ceylon teas (from Sri Lanka) tend to have more of the fruit and floral notes that you’re trying to avoid.

Another thing to consider is maybe trying some Chinese blacks. Teas from Yunnan tend to have an earthy character, and Keemun teas are often described as having slightly smoky notes. And then there’s Lapsang Souchong, which is usually very smoky. :)

Where are you located?

As Lindsay noted, Kenyan teas tend to use the assamica varietal, which is strong and malty. It’s why it’s often a ‘cheap’ substitute in breakfast blends (you probably noticed it’s in almost every Jacksons of Piccadilly breakfast blend on that page).

They don’t get a lot of smoke, though. That I noticed. The assamica varietal can be darkly fruity, depending on where it’s grown, although I haven’t found it in any Kenyan grown assams so far.

Another company you might want to try out is http://justea.com/ They operate locally to me. They have a Mount Kenya as well as one other black Kenyan tea you could try. I haven’t had either, but I do quite like their oolong. I plan to pick up one of the blacks next time.

As for smoke, lapsang souchong is ACTUALLY smoked, so it’ll be different from the ‘smoke’ of an earthy blend. Keemun is a bit like smoke and sweet nuts, while Yunnan is more earthy, so I would try that.

Keep in mind some notes only come out when the tea is iced (like you have been) versus drinking it hot.

Have you thought of contacting J of P and see if they have any suggestions for replacements? I think Steepster lists most teas as unavailable, so I’d check with the Specialteas to see if they still have it or will get it in the future.

Dustin, thanks for the suggestion, but I don’t absolutely HAVE to have
that particular tea. I’d rather have something that is more current but
that has a similar effect on the nose and the taste buds. That’s why I’m
glad I found you guys.
AJ and Lindsay, you gave me exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.
I’ve tried the lapsang souchong but didn’t care for the “whang” that the
tannin and resin from the pine wood left as an aftertaste.
That same aftertaste is the reason that those of us who user smokers
to roast meats and vegetables are told to NEVER use coniferous woods
for our smoke woods.
Again, thanks.