The dry leaf smells like meat that’s been soaked in soy sauce before smoking. Or like the meat has been smoked at too high of a temperature and almost burned but didn’t quite. Instead, it’s just really really dark. And salty. I only have the ROT’s to compare it to and this one smells more… carcinogenic.
All brewed up, this tea doesn’t smell near as strong as ROT’s, but instead of sweet maple tones to the smell, I get… pickle. BBQ’ed pickle. There’s a tartness in is somewhat vinegar-y. The husband was actually intrigued enough by the smell to try this before I did and his response was “Not a fan, but good.” I asked him explain because that’s… confusing. He replied that it was a good smoky taste but was too much for him – there was nothing else to it, unlike with overly smoked brisket, at least there is brisket under there. (He pretty much felt the same way about ROT’s – he felt no need to drink Liquid Smoke).
It’s cooled a little so I’m ready to try it. The scent I inhale is sweeter than what I was smelling before. No sweet maple or anything but no vinegar/pickle either. Just like a sweeter BBQ sauce. The taste initially is a lot milder than ROT’s, but it seems to expand in my mouth. Faint smoky tea building until my mouth is filled with a smoky but smooth flavor. If I keep sipping, that taste builds but if I take a little longer between sips, it fades.
I can actually get a little tea undertone to this after I swallow. It doesn’t appear regularly but rather when it’s been a bit longer between my sips so the smoke flavor that has built up in my mouth has faded some. Also, I’m getting a sweet, somewhat meat-like aftertaste.
I’m actually really liking this. I mean, I don’t think I could drink it every day, but I do really like it. To the point that, depending on how the second (and maybe third?) steeps go, I would seriously consider adding this to a GM order when I make one. It’s mild when compared to the ROT but definitely not too mild. Just really smooth and not overpowering. Definitely distinctive but…. relaxing and pleasant. I hope I have enough left of this for a second cup because I want to do a tasting with my dad over Christmas of this one and ROT’s – because if anyone could appreciate a smoke tea, it would be him.
ETA: Second steep @ 6:00. Smooth, smoky, sweet and really yummy. Yeah, I’m going to have to order some of this.
Third steep @ 8:00. Smooth, very sweet and a tail of smoky. SO. FREAKIN. GOOD. <3
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Whee! I think I just couldn’t get over the fact that it tasted like bacon and smoke and all that weird stuff. I think I need to try it again. It’s definitely very juicy and savory, but it’s SO strange. I can taste that it’s quality, but it’s just… WEIRD.
This one is better than ROT’s for sure and having ROT’s previously let me not think about the “OMG! SMOKED MEAT TEA!” (which I totally did before) on this one and concentrate on the tea itself. I actually kind of love it. I really really hope the second steep is a good one.
I’m glad someone enjoyed this cup of tea :D
See? Just as I get accustomed to seeing the other runners faceplant over this one hurdle — enough of them that I feel reasonably confident I will do the same thing, when I get there — someone goes soaring over it, and I’m left to wonder all over again.
Your 2nd and 3rd steeps sounded pretty awesome! Unfortunately, I tossed those leaves right after the first steep. I think my family might have done me bodily harm if they had to smell the tea for longer than it took to steep.
They were threatening to throw out the rest of my sample, and I had to squirrel it away!
@sophistre, I think I’ll have to agree with those that have said this type of tea is a love it or hate it tea. And I’d guess more people would hate lapsang souchong that love it, but I’m going to have to fall in the ‘love it’ category – at least for this one (wasn’t huge on ROT’s).
@teazplz, Hahah! Fortunately the husband was intrigued by the smoke smell and had already dealt with the must stronger smelling ROT one not too long before, so he wasn’t fussy about the scent at all. I plan on taking my remaining sample of this one and the bit of the ROT I have left to my parents for Christmas and do a little taste testing with my dad. We’ll see how many family members throw out threats during that event!
Oooh, I don’t think I’ve ever gone past a second steeping of LS. Might need to sit down and go for thirds soon.
Whee! I think I just couldn’t get over the fact that it tasted like bacon and smoke and all that weird stuff. I think I need to try it again. It’s definitely very juicy and savory, but it’s SO strange. I can taste that it’s quality, but it’s just… WEIRD.
This one is better than ROT’s for sure and having ROT’s previously let me not think about the “OMG! SMOKED MEAT TEA!” (which I totally did before) on this one and concentrate on the tea itself. I actually kind of love it. I really really hope the second steep is a good one.
I’m glad someone enjoyed this cup of tea :D
See? Just as I get accustomed to seeing the other runners faceplant over this one hurdle — enough of them that I feel reasonably confident I will do the same thing, when I get there — someone goes soaring over it, and I’m left to wonder all over again.
Your 2nd and 3rd steeps sounded pretty awesome! Unfortunately, I tossed those leaves right after the first steep. I think my family might have done me bodily harm if they had to smell the tea for longer than it took to steep.
They were threatening to throw out the rest of my sample, and I had to squirrel it away!
@sophistre, I think I’ll have to agree with those that have said this type of tea is a love it or hate it tea. And I’d guess more people would hate lapsang souchong that love it, but I’m going to have to fall in the ‘love it’ category – at least for this one (wasn’t huge on ROT’s).
@teazplz, Hahah! Fortunately the husband was intrigued by the smoke smell and had already dealt with the must stronger smelling ROT one not too long before, so he wasn’t fussy about the scent at all. I plan on taking my remaining sample of this one and the bit of the ROT I have left to my parents for Christmas and do a little taste testing with my dad. We’ll see how many family members throw out threats during that event!
Oooh, I don’t think I’ve ever gone past a second steeping of LS. Might need to sit down and go for thirds soon.