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derk drank Smoked Black Tea (2018) by Old Ways Tea

1644 tasting notes

Sharing good tea is a joy.

I split a 5g package of this tea with my mechanic friend today after he asked for ‘some of that tea that tastes like tar.’ Five steeps western at 2/3/5/?/?? minutes.

This review is a summation of his reaction rather than mine.

“Man, this is it.”
“I can feel when it hits; it’s almost electric.” I then explained minerality to him.
“It’s really clean and refined, not too smokey. "
“Where can I get more of this?”

I asked him to rate this tea on a scale of 1-100 and he gave it an 85, so there you go.

I find it very similar to the 2016 version of this tea but as a 2018 tea, the tarry aroma is still strong enough to overpower any nuances that I picked up on in the 2016: https://steepster.com/teas/old-ways-tea/84631-smoked-black-tea-2016

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 0 sec 5 g 8 OZ / 236 ML

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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