Darjeling experts;) Need advise...

Vadham tea has great sample packages

I won’t try to recommend individual teas, but I had really good luck with an order from Thunderbolt teas a few years ago.

‘Turzum Muscatel Dream’ had an amazing grape aroma when I first started trying Darjeelings a few years ago. i will have to try some again with my post-steepster levelled up palate. Ive only seen it from imperial teas of lincoln, uk..

its a second flush, and jassid/cicada-bitten like dongfang meiren/oriental beauty.

First flush i have liked ‘singbulli Silk’ & ‘Arya Ruby’

I prefer first flush Darjeelings although they can be fussy to brew, and expensive. But more to my current tastes. I love the aroma of 2nd flush but i always want that aroma to transfer to the taste & it never does, for me. If anyone has ever tasted a 2nd flush darjeeling that actually tastes like sweet muscatel grapes I would love to hear about that, they are usually on the woody end of the scale for me. – maybe i need to sweeten them with the correct method, idk.

Thanks for all the suggestions:) Any particular one stands out to you guys for the honey, fruit notes?

Organic Darjeeling Makaibari Estate 2nd Flush Black Tea from Arbor Teas is a superbly rich second flush Darjeeling. Quite complex with lots of wonderful muscatel and forest floor notes.
I am all about Darjeeling, and this is one of my favorites!

Teabox, my experience with them is you get exactly what the descriptors say and just follow your wallet after that you can’t go wrong.

Ordering from Tea Box now;) Still on the hunt for the Honey notes and dry fruit, sugared or candied, caramel aromas. I have tried some more spring Darjeeling and while they are lovely, they are a bit too light, delicate for my taste. I think I’m on this Honey/Malt craze since I ren out of Black Lotus by Butiki and cant get it again. Will be experimenting with some Darj/Assam mixes when I find the Darjeling I like.

I liked Teabox’ Darjeeling Oolongs, and I personally prefer second flush as well. Jungpana is a good starter.

I would recommend Castleton and Arya for the good clonal plantations they have. Jungpana is also interesting because they use biodynamic management techniques.

I especially like the Castleton “muscatel” batches, which bring out the typical taste reminding of oriental beauty.

I am a Darjeeling lover, even though you prefer the summer flush, I’d highly recommend a Jungpana autumn flush. :)