Another of the old samples my friend Naomi gave to me. The dry leaf of this sample, mostly dark with a few orangish tips, had little aroma left, which made me wonder if it was more stale.

Upon brewing though, a stronger aroma came out. Brews up a bold, dark cup, with just the right amount of tannins to make it edgy without making it too bitter or astringent. Up-front, the aroma is typical for a strong Assam: malty with some tones of dried fruit.

I find the aroma comes out more as the cup cools; then I notice some more vegetal notes and a fleeting hint of wintergreen.

I get the sense that this tea is far past its prime; I'd be curious to have tried it closer to harvest and packing. It doesn't seem to have held its flavor and nuance as well as the sample from Duflating estate that I just reviewed. I will say, even if it was a little flat and had lost some of its complexity, it still made for very pleasant drinking.

I did find this tea retained its strength in a second steeping better than the Duflating estate's sample, and better than most Assams.

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