Even though, intellectually, I know this is just meant to be a rooibos based Earl Grey I have to admit that the entire time I drank this I kept expecting there to be a red fruit or berry notes to the cup – and it’s not the name, because I know the “Red” in The Red Earl is for the rooibos tea base. Something about this blend just seemed… unfinished to me though!?
More than anything, I am just really glad I didn’t find it repulsive and skunk-y like I did the Grapefruit Earl Grey (can’t remember if that was actually the name) that I tried a few weeks ago. I was honestly kind of scared that I might have a similar experience for all of T Kettle’s bergamot blends. This was just boring though – bland rooibos and standard bergamot without any life to the cup. However, my impression of “boring” could also easily be someone else’s impression of “classic” – it’s a fine line of personal preference, in that regard…