I thought this an excellent tea and it is definitely among my favorite Dian Hong or Yunnan Red (black teas) that I've ever sampled. It's one of many samples I recently ordered from Harney & Sons.

I chose this for a very cold morning, because I find Yunnan teas to often have a powerful warming quality, and I found it excellent to drink on the coldest days.

Dry leaf is super pleasant, it has all the typical characteristics of a black tea from Yunnan province, yet is one of the best examples of one in terms of how it smells: very fruity and with a hint of smoke, pretty complex aroma to the leaf.

When the water hits the leaves, there is an explosion of a smoky aroma, surprisingly smoky given that the dry leaf didn't smell as much this way. There's also a hint of that famous "new car" smell, which I found amusing. It's not at all unpleasant though.

Flavor is mellow. I love this tea, it has a sort of strength and depth that you have to seek out, rather than it hitting you in the face as some stronger, edgier teas do. It's warm and soft. This tea makes me feel a lot like drinking a cup of hot chocolate and snuggling up with a blanket...it's a cozy, comforting sort of tea.

Very enjoyable, pleasant and easy drinking but with depth and complexity when I pay attention to it. Price is great too, I've had Yunnan teas that were not as good yet cost significantly more.

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