Puttabong Estate Second Flush SFTGFOP1 K. Musc (DJ-235)
This tea has been retired/discontinued. Formerly TD45.
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Commercial Description
Harvested from higher elevations of the Puttabong Estate, this selection was produced without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. The Kakra designation refers to a leaf visited by the Indian Green Fly, whose ministrations to the leaf cause an initial fermentation before plucking. The liquor has classic muscatel notes, as well as hints of date, accented with light pine needle essence.
Brewing Instructions: (from Upton Tea Imports)
2¼ g/cup, 212°F, 3 min.
Ratings & Reviews
Page 1 of 1 page with 1 review
73 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 3/5Chris Budd (2 reviews) on Sep. 8th, 2013
OK. This is tough. I wanted to write a review and provide ratings that would be fair and encouraging to other readers, but I'm conflicted due to my own taste bud preferences. My very first experience with a 2nd Flush Darjeeling was a Taylors of Harrogate, which I liked, due to it's malty, full-bodied, and high 'glow' attributes. My next experience was a Makaibari Estate 2nd flush from The Fragrant Leaf. That was, to date, my absolute favorite Darjeeling. Amazing character, perfectly balanced on the maltiness scale, and wonderfully noticeable 'glow' as it infused through my body. Next, I tried a Darjeeling from Ahmad. To me, this was different. It was light in character, aroma, body, and had really minimal 'glow' as it infused through me. And yes, it had a bit of that green tea vegetal character that I prefer less in my black teas. Still, that tea wasn't bad at all. And now onto this. I read the reviews at Steepster, and at Upton, and so I felt that this Puttabong 2nd flush would be the epitome of malt, body, aroma, and glow. The tea is NOT bad at all. It's got incredible aroma, for sure. But... it's almost ALL vegetal. When I started to infuse it, I IMMEDIATELY noticed that 'fresh mowed lawn' smell, and my nose wasn't anywhere near the cup. I decided I'd attempt to steep my way through that, and so at the 6 minute mark (didn't want to ruin anything), I gave another sniff. Still highly vegetal, and hardly any of the fruity smells. I wouldn't think this is muscatel. Much more like a 1st flush tea. The taste was a clone of the aromas. Fairly astringent at the 6 minute mark. I can't say that I felt the expected Darjeeling glow I've noticed in other 2nd flushes. It's certainly complex, but maybe too complex. I'd almost describe it as a bit 'musty'. It was too much like a thick smoky broth, than a splendid tea. Maybe the only solution here is to reduce the steep time down to no more than 3 minutes. But I tend to like my Darjeelings a bit richer than that. That's the mission I'm on. To find 2nd flush (or 1st flush if out there) Darjeelings that have that divine fruity complexity, with little if any of that vegetal herbaceous aroma and taste. And I wish we could add a flavor characteristic called "glow", because to me, that's an additional attribute that signifies an outstanding tea. It's a blood-brain barrier sort of feeling - one that any tea drinker feels inside them, subtly, whenever they have swallowed a truly great tea! Anyway, for those who love 1st flushes with a substantial liquor, this may be a tea you want to try! Me, I'm still on the hunt for a tea that matched the glow that hit me with that Makaibari Estate 2nd flush! PS. at 5 minutes, the caffeine is overtaking the theanine, so it's a slightly heart-pumpy (not ideal) lingering profile.
Page 1 of 1 page with 1 review
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