Doug Glidden Send Message

I accidentally purchased two samples of this tea (I purchased a sample of it, not noticing that the “Introduction to Fine Tea Sampler” that I ordered at the same time also included a sample of this tea), so I was very much hoping that I would like it. Unfortunately, I was severely disappointed with my first tasting—the flavor was bland and boring, and the beginning of my second cup was quite bitter. I hope I can find a brewing method that produces better results; otherwise, these samples may sit in my cupboard for a very long time.

From dry leaf to final sip, this tea evokes all the best of autumn campfires. The dry leaves have a strong and wonderful aroma of wood smoke. This odor passes directly through to the cup with very little modification. The smoke odor and flavor are strong but never acrid. I did find this infusion to be a bit watery and plan to extend the steeping time to 4:15 for my next tasting. A hint of sweetness is left on the palate for a pleasant finish. I will certainly purchase more of this tea when the sample packet I ordered has been depleted.

I chose this Darjeeling for my first tasting of a tea from Upton’s “Introduction to Fine Tea” sampler. My steeping time of 3:30 seems to have been a bit too short for this tea—I detected delicate hints of greatness that seemed not to have fully developed. For my next tasting, I will give the steeping a bit more time.

The dry leaf has a fruity scent with robust nutty undertones. The wet leaf had a fairly weak scent when hot, but cooled to a pleasantly sweet, fruity scent with floral notes. The cup was a light reddish brown; the mild taste hinted at delicious fruity and nutty flavors that I hope will develop more fully with a longer steeping.

Black tea is a taste that took me a long time to acquire (I am a longtime drinker of greens and oolongs), but after thoroughly enjoying my last several cups of a tin of Prince of Wales, I decided to order samples of several other black teas. Upton Tea included a bonus sample of this tea in the order, and I decided to taste it first. In general, my impression of the first tasting was of a palatable but very ordinary black tea—inoffensive, but not particularly memorable.

The dry leaf had a pleasant, slightly fruity, but rather weak scent; the scent of the wet leaf was overly sour when hot, but became enjoyably sweet and fruity after cooling. The cup was very dark and quite strong, but not at all bitter. My palate did not detect any unique flavors that would draw me to purchase more of this tea, but that may change with a second tasting.