Puttabong 1st Flush Darjeeling 2012 [Out of Stock]

This tasting note is for the 2012 version of this tea.

And I’ve gone a bit FF darjeeling mad recently but it’s all been worth it, hee hee.

The dry leaf smells very fresh and floral in the tin. When you steep this up you can see how green the leaves still are! I’m not sure of my exact temp. since I don’t have my thermometer here but it was definitely below boiling.

When I steeped this up, it’s a medium yellow with a slight flowery aroma. I was hoping for a slightly more floral aroma but the flavor of this is outstanding. I might try steeping for a longer period next time. I’m picking up nuances of tropical fruit with a slight spice and a bit of rich nuttiness. I’m finding this to be sweet and mellow with only a slight astringency in the finish. A bit pricey but definitely a good purchase I am not going to regret … :)

This is a free sample provided by Russel Allyn and Harney and Sons.

I have had this a few times already, but it still takes me by surprise. When I served the Luis Darjeeling that is very dark and earthy at tea party, my guest wasn’t a fan. It was one of only a few teas she put on her “list.” And I don’t mean a good list. Puerh is also on her list.

I served this as our middle tea of three. I only poured her a half cup and told her if she liked it we would top it off. It is so surprising to see a black tea that has a yellow liquor! She tasted, and said it was good, not her favorite tea but nothing like the last Darjeeling we had.

Then she had a cookie and sipped again. She said, “Fill ’er up!” Apparently it was just made to be paired with sweets. She was very taken with it. It had a very vegetal taste to me today and was reminding me a bit of my first Ruby 18. So here is yet another tea that I need for my Harney Tea shelf.

Many thanks, Russell and Harney and Sons!

First, thank you to Amy oh for this sample!

Maybe I’m nuts, because I haven’t seen others note this, but to me, this has a very buttery smell when steeped. A little spinachy. No butter in the taste, though.

Light golden in color, a bit floral but not very much to my taste. To me, this seems a lot like a green with somewhat less vegetal impression. Somewhat astringent and dry mouth feel. Lighter than the seconds and autumnals that I’m used to drinking.

I like this, but I don’t know that I’m going to be a huge fan of first flushes. A bit too light overall for me for this to be a favorite.

Sample swap provided by @Amy Oh

I haven’t had a FF Darjeeling since last year, so this was refreshing to drink.
Unfortunately I do not have a lot of experience with darjeeling black teas, so I can’t comment too much on this one experience as to it’s quality. Overall, it tasted like an enjoyable darjeeling and none of the characteristics were off-putting.

Thanks for the sample Amy!

Ah! An Afternoon first flush experience! My timer says it’s done!

One thing I love about this one is when I pour the water into my Bodum carafe, this wonderful flowery aroma comes wafting up and smells so good. I was never a great fan of first flushes, but the last few years they have become one of my favorite afternoon teas. This one is really special: flowery and soft with a light brown-green liquor.

So as Amy Oh said, I too am getting a little first flush Darjeeling bonkers these past few months. I have always been a bit fan of the astringent and bright quality of Darjeeling teas but never had an unblended, tea-bag version. Harney’s Puttabong was not my first, and is not my favorite (Harney’s previous Singbulli was absolutely terrific, review forthcoming), but I do have to say, the complexity of this release is really quite wonderful.

First, the leaves, as with most of Harney’s teas, are beautiful. Such a wonderful blend of colors in these rolled leaves, the first view doesn’t really give the impression of a black tea. The smell of the dry leaves is quite floral, yet slight (I get zucchini blossoms, vegetable + flowers).

I decided to do a full temp, and a moderate black tea steep (~200F @ 4 minutes). I typically like a strong cup but decided to go with the traditional style. I poured the tea and smelled the steeped leaves, which greeted me with a very earthy, deep tones, which mellowed as they cooled. By the smell of the leaves, I was concerned, but my fears were quickly abated with the first sip. It brewed up with a light golden yellow liquor and I drank it without any milk or sweetener of any kind. The tea has more body than I expected, coupled with a nice astringency. The aroma is very nice, and less floral than others, which may be a benefit to many of you. I actually like the citrus and flower quality that many Darjeelings possess, but the subtlety in the combination of numerous qualities, without an overwhelming character, make this tea very round and pleasant.

After a busy day at work, learning of new things I must accomplish, this was a wonderful way to unwind and begin my evening homework. I am currently listening to a bit of Sia and Imogen Heap, which paired delightfully with this brew. Again, I am a bit more partial to the floral and fragrant quality in the Singbulli first flush previously released by Harney, but this is finding its way in my cupboard as a terrific replacement. If for nothing else, I am being more and more encouraged that this may be my favorite style of tea, hoping to fill out my collection with a few more.

This may be my favorite tea, behind some rich select Keemun Mao Fengs. It is light and floral with that signature bite, slight pucker and vibrant nose that is a classic Darjeeling. Slight hints of pineapple and a little bit of muscatel blend together for a special sensory experience. Call me crazy but also I sometimes get a hint of lavender or gardenia. It finishes off smooth and has a nice amount amount of caffeine to get you moving. Unfortunately I am running low on this one and it was last year’s crop. Hopefully more like this will come around.

Being more of a Chinese Black Tea drinker I’m fairly new to English/India Black Teas. So far Darjeeling has been my English Black Tea of choice. Of the few websites I’ve ordered from Darjeeling from two stand out by far. Harney and Sons and Blue Lantern Tea. Puttabong 1st Flush Darjeeling and Blue Lantern Darjeeling taste essentially the same (to me) which is outstanding. I typically buy from Blue Lantern Tea because I like their Chinese teas and they are very personable but I would recommend Harney and Sons to anybody.

Very nice.

Light, buttery, vegital. Very nice.