90

And now we’re back to Darjeeling for a little while. I polished off the last of this prior to going to work this morning, so I have been getting a feel for this tea for the last 3-4 days. I have to say I really like it.

Prior to infusion the leaves show a dark green with delicate aromas of grain, must, and Muscat grapes. After infusion, the resulting liquor is a dark golden amber. Aromas of Muscat grapes, toast, grain, straw, honey, malt, caramel, and must are evident on the nose. In the mouth, notes of caramel, toast, malt, and honey quickly give way to notes of grain, must, and straw. Pronounced Muscat grape notes pick up just before a balanced, layered finish of straw, honey, toast, malt, and grape. Bitterness and astringency are mild to moderate.

I really like this Darjeeling. It is a little rough around the edges, but it displays quite a bit of depth while remaining approachable. Compared to the Dooteriah Estate Darjeeling offered by Simpson & Vail, this tea is not as smooth, but is more complex and displays greater character overall. I could get used to having this around the house.

Flavors: Caramel, Grain, Honey, Malt, Muscatel, Musty, Straw, Toast

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My grading criteria for tea is as follows:

90-100: Exceptional. I love this stuff. If I can get it, I will drink it pretty much every day.

80-89: Very good. I really like this stuff and wouldn’t mind keeping it around for regular consumption.

70-79: Good. I like this stuff, but may or may not reach for it regularly.

60-69: Solid. I rather like this stuff and think it’s a little bit better-than-average. I’ll drink it with no complaints, but am more likely to reach for something I find more enjoyable than revisit it with regularity.

50-59: Average. I find this stuff to be more or less okay, but it is highly doubtful that I will revisit it in the near future if at all.

40-49: A little below average. I don’t really care for this tea and likely won’t have it again.

39 and lower: Varying degrees of yucky.

Don’t be surprised if my average scores are a bit on the high side because I tend to know what I like and what I dislike and will steer clear of teas I am likely to find unappealing.

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KY

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