Very good, but expensive for what it is.

A medium-roast, woody Dong Ding; dry leaf is quite aromatic. The initial smell isn't that impressive, but if you really stick your nose in it, it smells very good: a rich, nutty aroma. I tend to prefer the modern, greener Dong Ding oolongs; even Arbor Teas' Jade oolong is a bit too dark for my tastes, but this one surprised me.

Aroma is complex: woody and nutty, with faint floral tones, a caramel-like quality, and if you pay attention closely, a hint of wintergreen and a faint suggestion of sweet almond or marzipan.

Smooth on the palate.

This brews exactly how I'd expect a medium-roast oolong of good quality to brew: it has moderate body and is aromatic, but has a smooth flavor even if brewed more strongly. Brewed Western-style, a teaspoon per cup, starting with about a 3 minute infusion, it brews 3 flavorful cups.

This tea was quite good, but I find it very expensive. It didn't strike me as best of the best, and for over $20 for 4 ounces, I'd prefer any number of other oolongs. The price is mitigated though by how well this tea works through multiple infusions. You can easily get 3 cups for each teaspoon of leaf.

Add your own review

Login or Sign Up to comment on this review.