Just received this in an Upton Ceylon Sampler.
The feel is dark and heavy but watery, too. Odd mix.
The taste is heavy. There’s a trace of malty sweetness at the very tip of my tongue but an acrid dark brown flavor hits the middle-back of my tongue and slides to the undersides of it, too. It has almost a coffee edge to it, really. That same sort of acidity/burnt/chocolate/brown flavor.
I’m on my third mouthful and I’m not too sure I like this at all.
The tea is puzzling. My very first reaction on tasting was “blugh!!”, but then turned into a “ew, I don’t know”, then “it certainly has its merits but I’m not a fan”, then “this is awfully strong/harsh but I could stand another mouthful”, then “maybe this one just really needs sugar” (I am not one to put milk or sugar in teas unless sick… I’m a straight-tea drinker), then “I think it may be good but I don’t like it”, then “I’ve no clue, totally mixed feelings”.
Long finish.
Oh, and there’s a little fishiness in there in the back of the throat I noticed on this taste.
I don’t think I like it, but I do think it’s a quality tea that certainly has its merits, as said. I could see others loving it.
I’m gonna throw in some of the rock sugar a family member gave me a while back. If updating is appropriate after doctoring, will do so lol.
