I had a cup of this 17 days ago according to tea log. Don’t worry, I don’t have a spreadsheet or anything. Can you imagine?!?
I didn’t like it then but I thought it was because of the Rooibos. I have since made good friends with Rooibos so I decided to try it again as this is my first honest to goodness sipdown weekend. I placed a rather large DT order last night — large quantity-wise not necessarily price. I basically bought 650 grams of tea, the most I ever bought in one shot so I’m freaking out a little.
This tea is still not for me. The first steep of 1.5 tsp for 3 minutes was too strong. Not astringent, just strong and reminiscent of smoky bacon. Of course, maple at play. I don’t mind maple at all but there’s something weird about this. I left the first steep in the pot and put the second steep on top, and sweetened with maple syrup. Makes sense, right? It tastes better and I can finish the pot this way — I was worried I’d have to dump it and I hate doing that — but still there is something about it I do not like. And there’s just a touch of bitterness barely there but it’s there and I don’t dig it.
Thanks goes to Dexter3657 for this generous sample that is not yet a sipdown.
Yes you did send me some Luxury!!! When I mailed your box, I didn’t know Luxury was a maple tea. When I did figure that out, I was happy that I did send you some of the Stampede. Great minds think alike. I’ll try Luxury tonight and let you know.
Oh good – that will be interesting! Though the Luxury is billed as maple syrup and candied chestnuts, and I’d really thought the chestnut was more central to the aroma. Now I’m not sure!
I like Luxury better than Stampede. I’ll write a tasting note, but it’s so interesting how different ones experiences can be. You thought Luxury was a little overpowering, Stampede more muted. I think Stampede is more “in your face” maple, while Luxury is more balanced with the sweet nutty balancing the maple. This is more subtle to me, but in a good way. Thank you for including. I really like it.