Well, I am continuing to slog my way through all of the backlogged reviews I have accumulated since the start of the month. I finished a pouch of this tea a little over a week ago. I tend to be a big fan of the Nepalese black teas sourced by What-Cha and this tea was certainly no exception. I found it to be a smooth, remarkably flavorful black tea.
I prepared this tea in the Western style. I steeped about 3 grams of loose tea leaves in approximately 8 ounces of 194 F water for 5 minutes. I attempted no additional infusions.
Prior to infusion, the dry tea leaves produced aromas of chocolate and herbs. After infusion, I noted aromas of chocolate, malt, herbs, orange, and flowers. In the mouth, I found a mellow blend of cream, malt, chocolate, wood, orange zest, and roasted nuts balanced by touches of honey, cherry, banana, black grape, herbs, and leather. Oddly, I could find no floral notes in the mouth. The finish was somewhat dry, yet not astringent. It offered lingering touches of malt, roasted nuts, chocolate, and black grape. What-Cha swore there was a note of nectarine in there somewhere, but I never found it.
This was a very smooth, mellow, approachable black tea with a nice body and just enough depth and complexity. Thankfully, it also did not come off as a clone of a second flush Darjeeling either. If you are a fan of malty, flavorful black teas, then this one would likely be for you.
Flavors: Cherry, Chocolate, Cream, Grapes, Herbs, Honey, Leather, Malt, Orange Zest, Roasted Nuts, Wood
