My first experience of this was from DavidsTea as a limited item. At the time I marked it as enjoyable but likely would not repurchase, especially since it was so expensive. I lied. :)
As time went on, I kept thinking about it. Enough so I went to hunt down where else I might find it. Thus the Steeping Room.
Its been long enough that I can’t directly compare the two in my head. However, my feelings are very similar. I am enjoying this though not in a daily drinker kind of way.
I keep expecting vegetal or floral notes but I am detecting neither, at least not with my usual steeping parameters. I’m having a hard time coming up with the words to describe the flavor, but it is rich, warm, and maybe malty (I don’t have a great grasp on what malty is yet), though not like any of my black teas.
Five pearls for my little 8oz pot seems to be working well. Resteeps like crazy.