First brewing this, it smells like my college years. I drank this tea most during that time, studying for long hours in Engineering school.
Bergamot covers the nose and mouthfeel. It’s sharp, but gentle all the same, and kind of oily. Nostalgic. I wonder if this tea would be good with some lemon if I were feeling ill. Not that I plan to feel ill any time soon, but, ya know.
There is a little astringency on the finish, but it seems partially a product of the bergamot oil. I’m wondering what a good loose-leaf Earl Grey tastes like, because on its own: this is a pretty good bagged tea! It’s amazing what the citrus can hide in the leaves present. (Twinings has a loose-leaf Earl Grey I’m interested in.)
Getting down to the bottom of the cup and there’s a bit of chalkiness in the mouthfeel which is somewhat unpleasant.
Maybe it’s nostalgia at work, but this tea is still punching above its’ bagged origin. Not a bad thing to have on hand but I would rather reach for a higher shelf.
Flavors: Astringent, Bergamot, Citrus
