This is an interesting one, my first thoughts screamed ‘Oriental Beauty!’, and lo & behold, its a Taiwanese cultivar ‘Qing Xin’, & grown in Fujian, which is right next to Taiwan. I dont know how much the location & varietal matters in the taste vs the process, but its interesting to note.
Taste-wise it has elements of Dongfang Meiren – slightly spicy & woody, slightly honey & molasses crossed with a flavour that I have noticed in some purple leaf tea, almost sharp – not sure what it is but tastes to me like a darker leaf. Really reminds me of varnished wood. Its also quite strong tasting (and looking!) – Brandy Oolong is an apt name for sure. Its robust, forgiving in the steeping method as well – rich.
Performed well with multiple steeps, and the price is very good considering its in the UK.
Flavors: Brandy, Honey, Molasses, Spices, Wood
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I almost added some of this to my first order from What-Cha, but the ‘brandy’ in the name was interesting but put me off a little – made it sound too dark and strong for me, but I think from this I have to try it – it sounds intriguing.
It is dark & strong, but in a spicy wood way instead of malty like reds.
Added a sample size to my last order – looking forward to trying it.
I almost added some of this to my first order from What-Cha, but the ‘brandy’ in the name was interesting but put me off a little – made it sound too dark and strong for me, but I think from this I have to try it – it sounds intriguing.
It is dark & strong, but in a spicy wood way instead of malty like reds.
Added a sample size to my last order – looking forward to trying it.