Trailesque
Tea Reviewer
Member since Mar. 29th, 2018. Reviewed 170 teas.
Reviews of Black Tea
Page 1 2 3 of 3 pages with 58 results
Yun Nan Dian Hong Black Tea from TeaVivre
Style: Yunnan Red – Region: Yunnan, China80 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 5/5
Jan. 21st, 2026
This is a good Yunnan. It has a very nice aroma of autumn leaves plus a little wood smoke. The flavor is earthy, with a dash of iron, but things stay under control. Adding milk softens it a bit. This is a mellow cup, and well worth the low price. Thanks again to RateTea for introducing me to another fine tea selle...
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Lapsang Souchong Wild Black Tea (Ye Sheng Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong) from TeaVivre
Style: Lapsang Souchong – Region: Wuyi, Fujian, China90 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Jan. 20th, 2026
This is a very nice surprise. I am used to lapsang souchongs that are thoroughly smoky, in fact I even thought lapsang souchong meant smoked tea (duh) - but this is another animal entirely. It is mellow and earthy, with a soft mouthfeel. There is no astringency or unpleasant notes, and it is nice with milk or on its ow...
Read Full ReviewChardwar Estate FTGFOP1 Assam Organic from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Assam – Region: Assam, India60 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 2/5 Value: 5/5
Jun. 27th, 2025
This is a decent, budget-priced Assam. It lacks the full, malty flavor that a first-rate Assam should have, but it is not bad. A little thin and mild, but perfectly drinkable.
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Kenilworth Estate OP from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Ceylon Black Tea – Region: Kandy, Sri Lanka75 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Jun. 27th, 2025
This is a smooth, easy to drink Ceylon tea. It is versatile - it goes well with milk or lemon, and it would probably be just fine on ice. The aroma is pleasantly earthy. You can't go wrong by choosing this.
Read Full ReviewWakocha Japanese Black from Shanti Tea
Style: Black Tea – Region: Japan65 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 3/5
Jan. 15th, 2025
I was curious to try this. I associate Japan with twig teas, tea mixed with puffed rice, green teas, and matchas, and I never heard of Wakocha before - so this is something new for me. It is a good black tea, not as premium as the price may indicate, but not bad at all. It has a lightly astringent, earthy flavor, and...
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Dimbula BOP from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Ceylon Black Tea – Region: Matale, Sri Lanka (Dimbula)65 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 5/5
Aug. 26th, 2024
This inexpensive Ceylon offers little to get excited over, for better or worse. It is a fairly standard tea, with some light, woody tannins and a dash of caramel flavor. I noticed that it tasted best at a lukewarm temperature; it is pretty bland when hot. It is good with lemon and sugar, and would probably be fine o...
Read Full ReviewThurbo Estate Second Flush FTGFOP1 Darjeeling from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Darjeeling Second Flush – Region: Darjeeling, India45 / 100 Aroma: 5/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 2/5
Jul. 18th, 2024
This is a very mild, bland tea. Lemon and sugar overwhelms it, but it is decent on its own or with a splash of milk - then it is pleasant and bready, with some mild tannins coming in to the mouthfeel. Priced too high given the quality, imo.
Read Full ReviewIdulgashinna Estate Organic BOP from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Ceylon Black Tea – Region: Sri Lanka / Ceylon65 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 4/5
May. 23rd, 2024
This is pretty robust for a Ceylon tea, with some tannin bite and a woody aroma. It was quite a bit better with milk than with lemon and sugar, which surprised me. With just a little vegan milk added, it makes a very good breakfast style tea. My intention in buying this was to mix it with a Darjeeling for iced tea (...
Read Full ReviewNo. 1 Tippy Orthodox GFOP Darjeeling from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India75 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 5/5
May. 21st, 2024
I decided to try something different. Instead of getting Upton's iced tea blend (which I like a lot) that is made from Ceylons and Darjeelings, why not get some Ceylons and Darjeelings and mix them together? This way I can also get to know the individual teas. This one did not let me down. It is on the mild side, b...
Read Full ReviewGorkha Estate Himalayan Bliss from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Black Tea – Region: Nepal70 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 3/5
Jan. 4th, 2024
This is a smooth, mild tea - but not lacking in flavor. It seems similar to a good quality Darjeeling or a Ceylon. A little overpriced imo, but good.
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Colombian Breakfast Blend Organic from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Black Tea – Region: Colombia75 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Nov. 9th, 2023
I was not expecting much, since I had tried another Colombian tea from Upton that was not good at all, but this was a pleasant surprise. The flavor is complex and plays around on the palate, with notes of fresh bread and malty tannins. The price is right too - I would get this again. I had this breakfast tea style, ...
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Lapsang Souchong Black Dragon from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Lapsang Souchong – Region: China80 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 5/5
Oct. 31st, 2023
This has a lot of woodsmoke/cigar tobacco in the aroma and the flavor. There is a something else in there too, some woody and savory notes, enough so that I began to wonder if I was drinking some kind of sausage beverage and not a tea (lol). But this black dragon is all about the smoke, which is something that I enjoy...
Read Full ReviewDarjeeling FTGFOP1 Premium Blend from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Darjeeling Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India60 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 3/5
Oct. 28th, 2023
This is a light and easy Darjeeling which tastes fine, but is a little lacking in body and flavor. It blends well with milk or lemon. The lightly sweet, earthy aroma of the tea leaves is its best point. Despite the impressive name, this is a pretty ordinary tea, and sells for an average price.
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Kensington Breakfast Blend from Upton Tea Imports
Style: English Breakfast – Region: Blend90 / 100 Aroma: 10/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 5/5
Oct. 25th, 2023
I am very happy with this so far. Upton has a number of good, reasonably priced breakfast blends, and this is one of them--so far, I have very positive feelings about it. The aroma is fresh and sweet, and reminds me of pipe tobacco. It is a medium-bodied blend, with a nutty, bready flavor. It is pretty smooth overa...
Read Full ReviewCeylon Black Organic Black Tea from Arbor Teas
Style: Ceylon Black Tea – Region: Sri Lanka / Ceylon85 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 5/5
Apr. 21st, 2023
I first came across Arbor Teas here on RT, decided to give them a try, and I'm glad I did. This is a bright, drinkable Ceylon. It is cut rough, and has a fresh, smooth, lightly fruity flavor. I found it enjoyable with either milk or lemon and sugar, and I am confident it would be good on ice too. The 7 oz bags are b...
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Organic English Breakfast Blend from Upton Tea Imports
Style: English Breakfast – Region: Blend75 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 5/5
Dec. 13th, 2022
This is a perfectly nice, reasonably priced English breakfast tea, offered at a good price too. The Assam and Ceylon teas blend together well, and create a mellow flavor with a dash of butterscotch. I had this with plant milk; English breakfast teas are meant to be served with a little milk.
Read Full ReviewBalasun Estate Second Flush Darjeeling TGBOP1 from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Black Tea – Region: Darjeeling, India35 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 1/5 Value: 1/5
Aug. 28th, 2022
This presents a very pleasant aroma but very little flavor. It is a mild, bland Darjeeling that should have been offered at a low price.
Read Full ReviewUpton China Yunnan FBOP from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Black Tea – Region: China35 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 2/5 Value: 3/5
Aug. 24th, 2022
This has a pleasant woodlands aroma, but the flavor is dull and finishes on a bitter note. It is selling for a rock bottom price. You could do worse than this.
Read Full ReviewUpton Mist Valley Estate Second Flush from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Black Tea – Region: Nepal55 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 2/5
Jan. 12th, 2022
This is for the 2020 vintage. For some reason, for me at least, when it comes to teas, higher prices do not necessarily mean a more satisfying tea. Usually it means more subtle nuances of flavor and aroma. This moderately expensive tea is an example of what I mean. It is fairly mild and there are some light, nippy ...
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Old South Meeting House Breakfast Blend from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Black Tea – Region: China70 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 2/5
Dec. 27th, 2021
This was a special release from Upton, meant to be a replica of one of the teas tossed overboard during the Boston Tea Party. It is a blend of China Congou and Chinese Bohea - the latter is a new one for me. It originates in the Wuyi Mountains and may have been the first black tea sold to the British. Overall this i...
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Yunnan FOP Select from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Yunnan Gold – Region: Yunnan, China80 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 5/5
Dec. 14th, 2021
Here is a nice Yunnan. The aroma is fresh and woodsy, like taking an April walk in a park. The flavor is smooth and mild, with a little bit of astringency on the palate. It is well worth the modest price.
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Baker Street Afternoon Blend from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Russian Caravan – Region: Blend70 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 5/5
Dec. 1st, 2021
I have ordered this tea many times over the years, and am surprised I did not rate it yet. In the past it has been a well-priced and full-flavored tea experience, and a go-to when I wanted something malty and smoky, with a little milk and no sugar. My most recent purchase of it was less enjoyable. This time a harsh,...
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Singbulli Estate Second Flush (2020 EX-38) Organic Darjeeling SFTGFOP1 (TD148) from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Darjeeling Second Flush – Region: Darjeeling, India75 / 100 Aroma: 10/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 1/5
Feb. 24th, 2021
Part of Upton's Great Tea Race Collection, this Darjeeling crosses the finish line with a fine aroma and impressive flavor. There are notes of caramel, fresh leaves, and mild tannins. It is very expensive however - it costs 3 times the price of an ordinary Darjeeling, but does not offer 3 times the quality imo. Nice...
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Finest Russian Caravan from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Russian Caravan – Region: Blend80 / 100 Aroma: 10/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 4/5
Feb. 4th, 2021
This blend of Indian, Chinese, and Taiwanese teas has a very good aroma imo - toasty and woody, with a little caramel and butterscotch. The flavor is reasonably robust but not heavy, with a dash of metallic tannins. I had it with milk, and tried it with lemon and sugar too. That also worked out well, and which is un...
Read Full ReviewAll India from Harney and Sons
Style: Black Tea – Region: Blend70 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Dec. 2nd, 2020
This is a blend of black teas from Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri. The first 2 I am pretty familiar with, but the latter not really. As the name suggests, it is an all purpose black tea. For me it works best with some kind of milk, but it is decent with lemon also. One reviewer on their site drinks it plain, so I t...
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