Most expensive Darjeeling ever sold? Check. Grown using BioDynamics with awareness of the constellations & picked on a full moon? Check. White tips from Darjeeling? Ok then, I’ll give this one a whirl.
Its a lightly fermented silver tipped Oolong, and a very nice one at that. A soft and pale liquor, not as sweet & fragrant as a silver needle, but also not hard and woody like some darjeelings. Also it isnt at all like a first flush Darjeeling, no bitterness there, and just a hint of astringency. No muscatel aroma (it is a spring, after all) but there is some grape in there, I think.
Its a bit akin to the Xin Gong Yi New Craft that Red Blossom sell, but that has more of a robust, deeper body, like a stronger white tea taste, whereas this Makaibari has a light aroma and body. Apparently Makaibari is the oldest tea estate in Darjeeling & according to google, the place of the worlds first tea factory. Although I would have thought China would hold this record? hmmm.
‘Very Pleasant’ is how I would describe it. A hint of honey sweet mango, it is a subtle experience, really non-offensive & a joy to drink. I do think it needs to be drank without anything else clouding your tastebuds as it is like a white & deserves being in its own space, but you still get a darjeeling-y feel going on. A subtle chameleon. Nice!
Ive done 90c before, but Ive been hitting it with 80 degrees today, grandpa style, and its making my head feel nice and fluffy. I do think theres a sweet spot in between 80 & 90c that will work the best.
Flavors: Floral, Mango, White Grapes, Wood
