The dry leaf smells strongly of pine smoke, more like the British style of Lapsang Souchong, which I find is often overly smoky. But upon brewing, this tea's smokiness mellows out considerably. There's still a lot of that campfire or wood smoke smell, but it doesn't overwhelm.

Flavor and mouthfeel is exceptionally smooth. No bitterness whatsoever and little astringency.. There is, however, a sourness in the finish. Upon drinknig the whole cup, there's a lingering sweetness as well.

This tea was interesting...I did not like it as much as the traditional Lapsang Souchong that I've tried, like one from Life in Teacup, which was even less smoky and more like a Keemun. But I liked it more than any British-style example of this tea.

Overall though the tea was a bit one-dimensional, and I found the sourness a bit objectionable, which is why I would be unlikely to buy it. This was not bad, but I strongly prefer all of TeaVivre's other black teas, which have impressed me again and again.

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