Backlog:
This is the 2014 harvest. Similar to the previous Black Tea from Shan Valley that I’ve tried, this has a very fine CTC chop. It resembles a finely ground coffee. But it’s been my experience with these Shan Valley teas that the small chop shouldn’t dissuade you from trying the tea because they are quite splendid!
This smells earthy, with notes of leather and fruit and even the slightest hint of flower.
It brews dark – almost like a cup of black coffee. It’s a rich, robust, vigorous cup of tea – this will definitely get your engine charging! It takes well to milk and honey if you like to add those to your black tea.
Flavorful! Deep, rich flavor. Notes of earth and leather, although these two notes are more subtle than the fragrance would lead you to believe. A malty note that would rival the maltiest assam! Deep molasses-y/caramel-y flavor that is indulgent.
This year’s harvest seems to have less cacao notes as well as fewer roasted flavors, but that’s more than made up for with the malt, delicious molasses and caramel notes.
As I continue to sip, fruit notes begin to develop and I picked up on currant, grape and plum. I’m also tasting a baked bread sort of flavor that’s lovely.
Here’s my full-length review: http://sororiteasisters.com/2014/10/04/shan-black-tea-2014-from-shan-valley/
