It’s been so long since I’ve had this tea style that I’ve completely forgotten what it tastes like. For some reason, when I initially bought it, it smelled a bit like a puerh (I did buy a flavoured puerh, so possible contamination via plastic bags). Since arriving home that has dissipated to a more familiar Yunnan Black tea profile (ex – hay, honey, earth, etc)
Sipping this one right off the cuff invokes hay barns, timber yards, and cigar parlors – notes of wood, earth, tobacco, leather, malt, tannins, and whisky with orange rind. It tastes like the outdoors and boozy comforts; it would make a fun tea for a camping trip. As it cools down it mellows out enough to reveal a subtly sweet side: stonefruit, raisin, and honey notes.
Steep Count: 2 + a short rinse (3 pearls). The first steep was on the longer side.
The more abrasive notes of first steep become secondary to the honey, raisin, and stonefruit. Add a dash of pepper to the mix. This flavour profile reminds me a bit of a gentler assam – another tea style I haven’t had for ages. As this cup cools, it verges into milky/creamy territory.
Flavors: Cedar, Cherry Wood, Citrus Zest, Dark Bittersweet, Earthy, Fruity, Hay, Honey, Leather, Malt, Orange, Pepper, Raisins, Smooth, Stonefruit, Tannic, Tobacco, Whiskey, Woody
