Dry leaves smell of musty apricot. The liquor hits with a smokey bitterness upfront, followed by a gentle fruitiness. The fruit, unlike the aroma of the dry leaves, is plum and raspberry. The texture is flat, maybe slightly mineral, and light amber in color. Successive steeps grow more bitter and smokey, loosing its distinctive fruitiness. This teas bitterness was not overwhelming, but it was on the edge. Would have gotten a higher rating if it was just slightly less bitter. All-in-all a very interesting tea, and enjoyable. Different from other Da Hong Pao I’ve had.