Lately I've been on a roll, sampling a variety of black teas that continue to be completely unlike any I have had before, and I never cease to be amazed at how diverse they can be. This is yet another black tea that was vastly different.

Fascinatingly complex...very dark, with an aroma quite unlike anything else. Upton's description sounds strange but I find it very accurate -- I also notice sandalwood in the aroma, and the aroma is oolong-like in spite of its very dark color. Certain woody and smoky elements remind me of a Chinese Panyang congou black tea. I also detect wintergreen and muscatel grape. I found the finish to be chocolately as well, leaving a sort of dry, almost bitter cocoa-like quality. The finish is also peppery, a lot like a Yunnan black tea, even though the overall character does not resemble a Yunnan tea even remotely.

Overall, in spite of the richness and sometimes strangeness of the aroma, this tea was clean, light, and pleasant, and left me feeling refreshed.

Add your own review

Login or Sign Up to comment on this review.