87

Here’s another sample from Bonnie and a Thank You for another good Lapsang. I think I like this Lapsang using these times and temps, and doubt if I will ever use boiling water. I also used 1+ tsp leaf per 10 oz mug.

The dry leaf smelled instantly of a campfire, with a certain sweetness that was inviting. This seemed less intense than my previous experience with Lapsang Souchong many years ago. As the tea began steeping, I couldn’t help but think, “Holy shishkabobs Batman!!”. The campfire smoke aroma intensified & jumped out at me. Tobacco aromas lingered in the air as well. My cup liquor was a rather translucent brownish-red color, with pleasantly sweet aromas reminding me of those summer campfires, and tobacco smoke.

The wet leaves smelled like tobacco smoke, with a definite ashy quality that cooled revealing new leather aromas and a natural sweetness. The flavors were surprisingly smooth and sweet, with tobacco and mild campfire smoke on my palate and the back of my tongue. Such a full flavor without being heavy.

I steeped a second cup somewhere between 5 to 5.5 minutes. Campfires were still ablaze, but this time with more smoked tobacco aromas. Sniff….sniff…yes, I was actually getting whiffs of smokey bacon! My cup was slightly darker. Wet leaves smelled of deeper tobacco smoke, with a more pronounced ashy quality. Once cooled, there was a deeper leather aroma that was sweeter, reminding me of pipe tobacco. The flavors on my palate were heavier-smoked tobacco/ashy quality, with less campfire notes.

Today I had two more cups yielding similar results. I decided to have a third cup resteeping the leaves, and was surprised by the continuing strength of the aromas and flavors. Through the second & third cups, the aromas and flavors were full bodied and satisfying-yet mild, and not bitter and offensive.

The demons of my previous experience with Lapsang Souchong are now conquered. I would imagine it’s much like the battles the Caped Crusaders would face every day, as Batman would exclaim, “To the Batcave, Robin!”. Sometimes, I wish I had a hermetically sealed cave, if only to store my tea there. :))

Cupped: Monday & Tuesday, June 4-5, 2012.

Reviewed: Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 3 min, 0 sec
Bonnie

I can see you are not a total fan nor totally freaked out by LS but brave! Glad you tried my local brand! I’m eating some pasta cooked in LS laced water (used a tea sack) .

ScottTeaMan

It’s not a tea I would drink regularly, but I did like this very much! I have a new appreciation for LS. :))

Lucy

Yum! I love LS and am glad your appreciation for it grew =)

jason

I can echo the sentiment from your review, and this is by far my favorite so far if I’m going to drink one. Well put sir!

ScottTeaMan

Lynne-While I probably could drink most LS now, I really liked this one. :))

Jason-My LS experiences are limited, but I can’t imagine one being much better. I found this LS to be well balaced, and I would reach for this one too. As my experience with Lapsangs grows, maybe I’ll realize how truly special this one is. Maybe I will not wait that long to up my rating. :))

Tawny Kira

I’ve never tried LS, I’ve heard good and bad things about it so I was unsure whether or not I should. But after reading this review I think I will have to try it! Your review painted a picture in my mind (and on my tastebuds!) that I have to experience in real life!

ScottTeaMan

Tawny-Thank You! II used water well below boiling and only a 3 min steep. It is still really flavorful this way. Keep in mind, not all LS are created equal. This one is not too smokey, IMO. :))

Bonnie

I’ll be out for awhile today, however…If Tawny wants to follow me back (I just followed her) I can PM her and send her a sample of this Lapsang Souchong if she wants some like I did for you!

Tawny Kira

Scott- Awesome thank you! I will definitely keep that in mind! :)
Bonnie- I haven’t been on since this morning as I’ve had my hands full with my little ones but I just followed back :) Sending you a message!

ScottTeaMan

Bonnie I finished this sample Fri morning. My filter basket smelled liked shoe leather! :)) :))

Bonnie

My cleaner of choice is good ol baking soda! Gets the LS smells out!

ScottTeaMan

I did wash it really good, and it still smells. :)) I’ll just finish Lion and the Lamp before I soak it in BS.

Bonnie

No rub it like a paste and then rinse off!

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Comments

Bonnie

I can see you are not a total fan nor totally freaked out by LS but brave! Glad you tried my local brand! I’m eating some pasta cooked in LS laced water (used a tea sack) .

ScottTeaMan

It’s not a tea I would drink regularly, but I did like this very much! I have a new appreciation for LS. :))

Lucy

Yum! I love LS and am glad your appreciation for it grew =)

jason

I can echo the sentiment from your review, and this is by far my favorite so far if I’m going to drink one. Well put sir!

ScottTeaMan

Lynne-While I probably could drink most LS now, I really liked this one. :))

Jason-My LS experiences are limited, but I can’t imagine one being much better. I found this LS to be well balaced, and I would reach for this one too. As my experience with Lapsangs grows, maybe I’ll realize how truly special this one is. Maybe I will not wait that long to up my rating. :))

Tawny Kira

I’ve never tried LS, I’ve heard good and bad things about it so I was unsure whether or not I should. But after reading this review I think I will have to try it! Your review painted a picture in my mind (and on my tastebuds!) that I have to experience in real life!

ScottTeaMan

Tawny-Thank You! II used water well below boiling and only a 3 min steep. It is still really flavorful this way. Keep in mind, not all LS are created equal. This one is not too smokey, IMO. :))

Bonnie

I’ll be out for awhile today, however…If Tawny wants to follow me back (I just followed her) I can PM her and send her a sample of this Lapsang Souchong if she wants some like I did for you!

Tawny Kira

Scott- Awesome thank you! I will definitely keep that in mind! :)
Bonnie- I haven’t been on since this morning as I’ve had my hands full with my little ones but I just followed back :) Sending you a message!

ScottTeaMan

Bonnie I finished this sample Fri morning. My filter basket smelled liked shoe leather! :)) :))

Bonnie

My cleaner of choice is good ol baking soda! Gets the LS smells out!

ScottTeaMan

I did wash it really good, and it still smells. :)) I’ll just finish Lion and the Lamp before I soak it in BS.

Bonnie

No rub it like a paste and then rinse off!

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