23 Tasting Notes
First time trying a flavoured oolong. I quite enjoyed it, but then again, I’m a freak for vanilla, especialy if it’s high quality. The oolong tea in this one is mild with a relatively low oxidation, and the liquor is very clear. It smells like heaven in a cup. Very low astringency, and mild on the finish. It tastes just how it smells and is all around delicious. My only complaint is that it doesn’t hold up to multiple steeps well; even the second steeping was significantly lacking in flavour, and the third was very weak despite steeping for nearly 10 minutes. Overall a delicious tea though, and the vanilla and oolong are a fabulous pairing!
Preparation
When it comes to tea, I am definitely not a purist. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a good cup of straight tea (gyokuro yamashiro for example), but I also have a very big soft spot for flavoured teas as well. When it comes to flavoured teas I like them BOLD. I want to still taste the tea, but if it’s flavoured, don’t pussy-foot around it. This one hit it right on the money, IMHO. It’s sweet, it’s maple-y and the smell is just out of this world delicious. Everything I could ask for in a maple tea. The caramel and toffee bits are a wonderful addition, and the honeybush adds an interesting flavour. It’s like dessert in a cup and I LOVE it. Will be buying this one again and again. :)
Preparation
What a fabulous tea! Big fan of gyokuro green teas, and this black tea definitely didn’t disappoint. You get all the good things from a black tea, but without any of the bitterness. Not too heavy on the tannins, great mouth feel. You don’t get the heavy vegetale taste like you do with the gyokuro green, but you get all the smoothness and high quality you would expect from those leaves, as well as just a little earthy. An all-around pleaser.
