This is the second loose-leaf Earl Grey I've had from Murchie's, and an outstanding example of the type, especially for someone like me who likes a bold, assertive tea. It is made from Assam, Keemun and Yunnan, and you bet the Assam asserts itself boldly in all phases of taste and aroma. Upon opening the bag, the dry scent does what you'd expect from a well-crafted EG: an unmistakable stream of bergamot, but not so intense that the tea also doesn't smell great on its own. In fact, *both* are strong, with neither dominating the other, and I could sniff this stuff all day. At some point, however, one ought to steep and drink!

A lot of golden tips populate the dry leaves, and this seems to make the brewed cup deliver a good kick of caffeine that won't leave one drowsy or lacking energy. I don't know which of the tea components (or all?) provide most of the golden tips, but it works. The combination delivers enough bitterness and astringency to communicate that this is no delicate beverage, but is kept under control by the malty sweetness of the Assam they use. The Assam is quite evident, and its scent reminds me a lot of a high-quality molasses. So there's a natural sweetness here too, that adding sweetener enhances very pleasantly. If any of the elements were this strong individually without the others to balance them, this tea might turn off some folks; however, it's robust everywhere and in good balance. This is one of my favorite loose teas of all, so far, and certainly atop the Earl Grey ranks.

Murchie's regular Earl Grey was excellent also, but very different in sourcing: Ceylon, Keemun and Darjeeling. Earl's Gold didn't get as dark, as fast, as Earl Grey, but was a notch richer, and also, smooth yet strong in-cup, so I'm rating this one just a tick higher on the RateTea meter. I think they're both well worth a try for fans of robust, loose-leaf EG teas—especially connoisseurs who probably could tease out all manner of notes that seemingly should arise from such different geographic origins.

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