This tea was a complete surprise. It seems to be out-of-stock and I know it's been in my friend's cupboard for at least a couple years, so who knows how old it was--it was definitely not terribly fresh, yet it was still among one of the best teas I've sampled in a long time. If it's old, then it has certainly aged well--it was properly stored in a sealed container away from light.

The dry leaf is very dark, almost completely black, and has a pleasing aroma, lightly smoky and suggestive of oak.

Brews a rich, dark cup, with a full body and strong aroma. Only lightly smoky, just like the dry leaf suggests...quite a few vegetal tones, like higher grades of Chinese tea. A strong suggestion of wine in the aroma--like a sharp-tasting, dry red wine. There is also a fairly strong suggestion of oak, reminiscent of an aged port.

Flavor is quite bold: moderate bitterness and considerable astringency, giving it a full body. Has a strong warming quality; this would be an outstanding winter tea.

Excellent through three steeps. I used a heaping teaspoon, almost two teaspoons worth, for a single cup, and steeped 2 minutes, followed by 3 minutes, followed by 6 minutes. The third infusion was remarkably complex and full-bodied. A tea that keeps delivering.

Thank you to my friend Selby for letting me try this!

I'm disappointed that such an excellent tea is no longer in stock...but I'd gladly drink this type of tea again if I could get my hands on it. This was my second tea ever sampled from Culinary Teas, and both have impressed me. I look forward to trying more!

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