Keemun can be really diverse, so I never know exactly what to expect when trying it. This one really surprised me--while being recognizable as Keemun.

A very complex, organic-tasting Keemun (and I mean organic in the sense that it tastes natural and multifaceted, not overly refined or simplified).

The dry leaf consists of thick pieces of broken leaf, and suggests smoke and wood. The leaf brews a very light-colored cup, the lightest I've seen in a Keemun, relative to its strength.

Upon brewing, the aroma becomes very complex...a hint of smokiness and woody qualities. Reminiscent of a clean barn or farmyard. But upon sipping, the aroma becomes much more fruity. There are some weird vegetal tones in the finish too. Finish is more smoky as well.

Flavor is more muted: there's not much bitterness and only a small amount of sweetness and sourness.

Moderate astringency, and a very dry finish. Not quite as warming as some Keemun.

The price on this is good; it can be hard to find any Keemun that is both organic and fair trade, and this tea is priced reasonably for its complexity. My only complaint is that teas of this price usually have less astringency. The astringency is noticeable enough that I think it really detracts from this tea. This would be one of my favorite all-time teas if only it were smoother: the complexity and freshness of the aroma is really wonderful.

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