986 Tasting Notes
Samurai TTB #37
I love Assam and don’t love Darjeeling, so I was curious to try this blend of the two. Unfortunately, I didn’t really get the distinctive qualities of the teas; it just came across as a somewhat mediocre breakfast blend. Fine with milk, but nothing I’d especially care to drink again.
Preparation
Samurai TTB #35
This was a lovely green oolong…smooth, creamy, and buttery with notes of asparagus and lilac. It also re-steeped really well. I’m sad there was only enough in the box for one cup, because I’d gladly drink this again!
Flavors: Asparagus, Butter, Creamy, Floral, Smooth
Preparation
Samurai TTB #34
I’ve never had bourbon, so I can’t comment on whether or not Adagio successfully captured that flavor here. But I really enjoyed this blend…I’m super into smoky tea right now and this one is the perfect balance of smoky and sweet. So glad I got to try it!
Flavors: Burnt Sugar, Smoke, Sweet
Preparation
Samurai TTB #31
I’ve been LOVING The London Tea Room’s “Churchill” blend, which is a smoky Earl Grey, so I was excited when I realized this was a similar blend. While I do enjoy the combination of the lapsang souchong and bergamot, the addition of puerh and beetroot add an earthiness to the scent and a tartness to the aftertaste that mar the experience for me. (Though I do appreciate how appropriate the red color is to the author who inspired the blend!) Overall, not a favorite like I hoped, but I’m still glad I got to try it!
Flavors: Bergamot, Earth, Smoke, Tart
Preparation
Samurai TTB #30
This is definitely an intriguing blend of flavors, but the resulting tea just tasted of clove and pineapple to me. Pleasant enough, but nothing I’m dying to drink again.
Flavors: Clove, Pineapple
Preparation
Samurai TTB #29
This one exceeded my expectations! There were about 2 tsp left in the bag, so I went ahead and overleafed my cup last night. The resulting brew was so delicious! Super sweet and fruity with none of that nasty medicinal flavor I sometimes get from rooibos. I definitely tasted the papaya and maybe a bit of mango, but I was also weirdly getting banana, even though that isn’t listed in the ingredients at all. Overall, one of the nicest fruity rooibos blends I’ve had in a while and something I’d consider purchasing next time I order from S&V!
Flavors: Fruity, Mango, Tropical
Preparation
Samurai TTB #28
The name of this tea sounded absolutely delicious and I was excited that it was honeybush instead of rooibos. However, the flavor didn’t quite live up to expectations. I got a very pleasant, natural lemon taste, but no cream cheese or pastry that I could discern. Still an enjoyable cup of tea, but not as special as I hoped.
Flavors: Lemon, Sweet
