100

Another superbly wonderful tea from Whispering Pines. I’m adding my review here as I believe I have the old version. It seems sad to say that, because I’m enjoying this cup immensely. Still, seasons change and all that. Clearly I’ll have to try the new version to compare!

Anyway, the tea. I used 1.5 tsp of leaf, and gave it three minutes in boiling water. I added a splash of milk (just the tiniest one, though!) The scent of the dry leaf is wonderfully chocolatey, like opening a tin of cocoa powder and taking a sniff.

To taste, this is probably the nicest quality black blend I’ve tried in a good long while. The initial flavour is chocolate; quite dark and rich, but with a deliciously smooth, creamy edge. A mild fruitiness emerges in the mid-sip, initially cherry (chocolate covered cherry, anyone?), but ultimately turning more towards apricot. It’s light, fruity, and juicy-tasting, and the perfect counterpoint to the chocolate/cream richness of the initial sip. The end of the sip is heavily malty, with all the sweetness that implies, with a touch of honey. It’s also gloriously smooth. The chocolate flavour lingers in the aftertaste, making this an almost decadent treat. I consider my morning thoroughly brightened! This one is definitely going on my shopping list!

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp
Whispering Pines Tea Company

Do you know when you ordered this? I’d be able to find out if it was an old or new one. :-)

Dustin

Are the two versions significantly different from each other?

Whispering Pines Tea Company

@Dustin, the old version was, in my opinion, pretty bland. To be honest I didn’t enjoy it at all, haha. I spent about 8 months searching for the right dian hong to replace the one in it with, and when I finally found it, North Winds became my absolute favorite tea. I pretty much drink it daily, which says a lot because I generally drink 3 or less teas each day. :-)

Scheherazade

I can see if I still have the invoice…

Whispering Pines Tea Company

I just looked it up! :-) It’s possible that you have the new one, but hard to tell. Around the end of June I started putting the new version in sample packs, so it’s likely you got the new one, but who really knows? :-P

Scheherazade

I liked it anyway :)

Whispering Pines Tea Company

:D woot! I’m glad :)

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Whispering Pines Tea Company

Do you know when you ordered this? I’d be able to find out if it was an old or new one. :-)

Dustin

Are the two versions significantly different from each other?

Whispering Pines Tea Company

@Dustin, the old version was, in my opinion, pretty bland. To be honest I didn’t enjoy it at all, haha. I spent about 8 months searching for the right dian hong to replace the one in it with, and when I finally found it, North Winds became my absolute favorite tea. I pretty much drink it daily, which says a lot because I generally drink 3 or less teas each day. :-)

Scheherazade

I can see if I still have the invoice…

Whispering Pines Tea Company

I just looked it up! :-) It’s possible that you have the new one, but hard to tell. Around the end of June I started putting the new version in sample packs, so it’s likely you got the new one, but who really knows? :-P

Scheherazade

I liked it anyway :)

Whispering Pines Tea Company

:D woot! I’m glad :)

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Bio

Hi :) I’m Sarah, and I live in Norfolk in the UK. My tea obsession began when a friend introduced me to Teapigs a good few years ago now. Since then, I’ve been insatiable. Steepster introduced me to a world of tea I never knew existed, and my goal is now to TRY ALL THE TEAS. Or most of them, anyway.

I still have a deep rooted (and probably life-long) preference for black tea. My all-time favourite is Assam, but Ceylon and Darjeeling also occupy a place in my heart. Flavoured black tea can be a beautiful thing, and I like a good chai latte in the winter.

I also drink a lot of rooibos/honeybush tea, particularly on an evening. Sometimes they’re the best dessert replacements, too. White teas are a staple in summer — their lightness and delicate nature is something I can always appreciate on a hot day.

I’m still warming up to green teas and oolongs. I don’t think they’ll ever be my favourites, with a few rare exceptions, but I don’t hate them anymore. My experience of these teas is still very much a work-in-progress. I’m also beginning to explore pu’erh, both ripened and raw. That’s my latest challenge!

I’m still searching for the perfect fruit tea. One without hibiscus. That actually tastes of fruit.

You’ve probably had enough of me now, so I’m going to shut up. Needless to say, though, I really love tea. Long may the journey continue!

My rating system:

91-100: The Holy Grail. Flawless teas I will never forget.

81-90: Outstanding. Pretty much perfection, and happiness in a cup.

71-80: Amazing. A tea to savour, and one I’ll keep coming back to.

61-70: Very good. The majority of things are as they should be. A pleasing cup.

51-60: Good. Not outstanding, but has merit.

41-50: Average. It’s not horrible, but I’ve definitely had better. There’s probably still something about it I’m not keen on.

31-40: Almost enjoyable, but something about it is not for me.

11-30: Pretty bad. It probably makes me screw my face up when I take a sip, but it’s not completely undrinkable.

0-10: Ugh. No. Never again. To me, undrinkable.

Location

Norfolk, UK

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