Trying a new tea from Jun Chiyabari is always exciting. This one is clearly trying to go head to head against 2nd flush Darjeelings. There is no doubt imo that it can successfully compete in that category. However, it also seems to remind me a little bit of Ye Sheng black teas from Yunnan in its wet leaf aroma and of some Taiwan black teas in its aftertaste. The one thing that sets it apart is the mouthfeel, which is quite unique. The liquor is voluminous, active and very smooth, it is biting without astringency and it induces a nice warming sensation throughout the mouth.
I find that Royale Ruby benefits from longer infusion times initially, otherwise one may find that it takes a while to get going. In any case, when it does, it displays a beautiful sweet, woody and bitter character with pronounced muscatel notes. The aftertaste is cooling, sweet and floral, but without much of honey-like flavours – there are more of lighter and higher florals here.
Flavors: Biting, Bitter, Cookie, Cream, Earth, Floral, Meat, Muscatel, Smooth, Spicy, Sweet, Wood
