100 Tasting Notes
How i got it: Got a bag in a swap with my wife (part of Basilur’s “Specialty Classics” Pack)
Experience: Well, it has been a long time since I wrote the last note! This is the fourth tea in the Basilur “Specialty Classics” pack, a Darjeeling one. It has a very classic, soft aroma for which, as i usually said, Nepal teas are my closest mental reference. I can sense herbal/floral notes, similar to the ones found in a green tea. Its flavor is quite delicate, low to medium intensity, but is clear and well defined. It has some hints of honey too. I only miss the taste of muscatel and a bit more duration. Aside from that, this is a very good tea.
Would i buy it?: Mmm… i’m not sure. I’d put this tea close to Dilmah’s Darjeeling, but if you ask me, i’d go for the later and leave this one in a second place.
How i got it: Got a bag in a swap with my wife (part of Basilur’s “Specialty Classics” Pack)
Experience: Third tea in the Basilur “Specialty Classics” pack, and the only green one. A distinctive part of this tea is its aroma, which i find to be a bit less like the usual green (i’ve tried other Senchas, but this is still different) and a bit more acidic. On the taste side, is very light and less flowery and sweet that the usual green, too. Not bad, but a bit more of intensity/character in the flavor would have been very welcome. In the end, i’d say it’s above the average, but stays behind of its pack partners.
Would i buy it?: Mmm… i don’t think so. Better black (and some green) teas out there.
How i got it: Tried it while having tea at my cousin’s house
Experience: When i saw this tea, i went for it not expecting much, based in my relationship with Lipton teas. In the end, though, it was a very pleasant surprise. This tea’s aroma is (obviously) defined by the mandarin’s (very close to the natural scent) but there’s a space for the green tea to appear too, something a bit unusual. Its flavor is very well balanced, and while the mandarine notes are a little less natural than what could be sensed in the smell of the blend (in the flavor, they tend to be a bit more like orange candy than natural orange), the resulting mix turns out to be very enjoyable. (Surprisingly) very good – indeed, maybe one of the better Lipton’s i’ve tried.
Would i buy it?: Good chances for the ‘yes’ case
How i got it: Got a bag in a swap with my wife (part of Basilur’s “Specialty Classics” Pack)
Experience: This tea has a crisp, mild to intense, well defined, classic Ceylon aroma. Indeed, I’d say it’s more fragrant that the average Ceylon, reminding me of Dilmah’s English Afternoon. I can sense some acidic notes in its scent, too. On the other hand, it has a bold, well defined and lasting flavor, but also a distinctive smoothness (unlike other other Ceylon teas, i couldn’t sense any tart notes on it) and richness. I sense very slight hints of caramel too, characteristic of the Basilur teas, which gives it a special touch. I’d say with some confidence it justifies its OP classification. Very good.
Would i buy it?: It has real possibilities, but competition in this category is tough, hehe. Maybe i’ll go for it when looking for a good loose leaf Ceylon.
How i got it: Got it in a swap with my wife, in addition to the one i got from the shop seller as a gift (part of Basilur’s “Specialty Classics” Pack)
Experience: Well, let’s start with a new Basilur pack, more on the classic side this time. This EB has a very intense aroma, which i could describe as a mix between Assam and Ceylan, with dominance of the latter. On the flavor part, however, this mix is more balanced, going from malty notes to fresh and crisp ones. Not very intense, but very rich and deep on taste, one of its most notable traits is that the characteristic bitter note of the Breakfast blends is very nuanced, almost absent from its flavor. Very interesting, and really good tea.
Would i buy it?: I think this would be a ‘yes’, sometime in the future.
How i got it: Bought it (Looking for a fruit-flavored tea, i was about to try an Akbar, but decided for this one instead).
Experience: Intense aroma, dominated by the peach, although you can note the passion fruit and the tea to a lesser degree. Its has an intense flavor too, being mainly defined by the peach, but having more presence of the passion fruit. The base tea is specially bold (the same sensation i got from Ahmad’s English Breakfast) and can easily turn out a little bitter if oversteeped. The downside? I missed a bit more of definition, naturality and richness in the flavors. On the other hand, it has quite much potencial for an iced version. Not a very impressive tea, but a good one anyway.
Would i buy it again?: I’d say this tea is a bit above the average, so it has its possibilities.
How i got it: Bought It (Basilur’s “Leaf of Ceylon” Assorted Pack)
Experience: Well, this is the fifth and last tea in the “Leaf of Ceylon” pack. It has a quite delicate aroma, not very intense, but complex; it reminds me to spiced varieties like Twinings’ Russian Caravan. On the other side, its flavor is light, and has a low-to-mild intensity and good duration. At the beginning of the sip, it tastes a bit similar to a Darjeeling, but it gains more of a Ceylon character reaching the end. I sense some very nuanced notes of caramel and toffee too, although this tea don’t have additives or scents. Interesting tea, and a very good ending for the experience of the pack. One of Basilur bests, i’d say.
Would i buy it again?: Being enjoyable as it is, i’m not fully decided yet, but sure has good possibilities
How i got it: Bought It (Basilur’s “Leaf of Ceylon” Assorted Pack)
Experience: The fourth tea in the “Leaf of Ceylon” pack, this one maintains a little similarity to other Basilur teas like Winter Tea and Dimbula, but i’d say Ruhunu is better from the beginning. In the aroma side, I can sense toffee, caramel, vanilla and cream, creating a very enjoyable mix. On the other hand, the taste is dominated by caramel and vanilla notes, while the flavor of a more classic Ceylon appears almost to the end of the sip. Mild intensity, smooth and relaxing character. I’d say that’s hard to imagine a tea like this is not scented… but i saw again the envelop and realized that Basilur did it again: they added caramel scent. But that doesn’t make this tea less great. Indeed, this is how Lipton’s Caramel Truffle should always have been. Really good.
Would i buy it again?: I’m looking forward to have this blend again in my cupboard. The answer is clearly ‘yes’
How i got it: Bought It (Basilur’s “Leaf of Ceylon” Assorted Pack)
Experience: Third tea in the “Leaf of Ceylon” pack, and a nice surprise. Very acidic aroma, with some flowery notes and just a hint of the smell of an usual Ceylon. On the taste side, its has a lasting, mild-high intensity flavor, but at the same time is curiously fresh and light. It follows a classic Ceylon style, but i’d say that i could taste some notes similar to a Kenyan tea too. Extra points for a particular, very smooth and gentle citric touch – i’m thinking in something like lemon candy notes – that comes from the inclusion of some Bergamot, which goes very well with the tea (I realized this after seeing the package. Basilur, you cheater, wasn’t this supposed to be a pack of non-scented Ceylon’s? hehe). Very enjoyable tea. Really good.
Would i buy it again?: With good possibilities too, i’m almost inclined to say ‘yes’. This is one of the better bagged teas i’ve tried, and my cupboard is open to try the loose leaf version.
How i got it: Bought It (Basilur’s “Leaf of Ceylon” Assorted Pack)
Experience: Next one in the “Leaf of Ceylon” pack, this is another curious tea. It smells very similar to Basilur’s Autumn Tea, even being a non-scented black. I can sense toasted, caramel and toffee-like notes, among which the aroma of a more classic Ceylon only appears from time to time. Its taste is more standard, but it also is dominated by soft and toffee/creamy notes that fade a bit to the end of the sip. Good duration, relatively well-defined flavor. What an unusual taste for a Ceylon tea! This is another new experience for my record. Good.
Would i buy it again?: I like it, but Uva comes first in this regard. Maybe i need further drinking to settle my mind, but until then, i’m more inclined to pass the offer.
