Mmm, I enjoyed this one! Steeped a big cup of it this morning, and it was wonderfully strong. I almost couldn’t detect the smoke, it was so subtle. The bergamot was subtle too, and I didn’t notice any grapefruit flavor, but I was in a hurry so I probably just overlooked it. There was some astringency, pretty typical of a black tea. But it was smoother than I might have expected, given the thick mouthfeel. I’m anxious to try this tea again in the near future, when I can take more careful notes. I suspect I might be stocking up on it, once I’ve finished the sample.
As a side note, I’ve been curious to try Russian-style teas like this one for a while now. Between this and Upton’s Finest Russian Caravan, I think I might be a fan! They’re strong and dark and have a slightly smoky depth. No overwhelming campfire taste, just nice black tea that I bet will taste even better when winter comes around.
