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“If I had to pick just one tea, to drink for the rest of my life, this would be it. To me, this tea is perfect. I brew 2.5 g in a large mug of boiling water for four minutes. The leaf is...” Read full tasting note
“Well, now I love Oolong too. Crap. This means that I’m going to have to spend more money! Up until now I’ve been heavy on the golden-tipped teas and Assams, but this throws something slightly...” Read full tasting note
“Got this one to try in my last TeaLyra order. The description sounded exactly like something I’ve been craving lately, and the tea did not disappoint. I usually prefer the stronger black teas, with...” Read full tasting note
Quickly making its way among Taiwan’s most treasured teas, Brandy Oolong is joining the ranks of Taiwan’s most famous- Tung Ting, Jade Oolong and Aged Oolong! We absolutely love our Brandy Oolong, Ruby 18! It is highly oxidized, yet not fully oxidized (roughly 85%-90%) and is processed using traditional oolong craft methods in Taiwan. The leaves’ rich amber color, and tea liquor gives this tea its unique name. Once steeped, the tea soup is a dark amber color that has heady aromatic roasted notes of caramelized honey and stone fruit. Its flavor has refreshing “cooling” minty undertones, with lots of deep, dark honey and sweet cinnamon like notes. It is wonderfully smooth and complex, without any bitterness and has an excellent sweet finish! Our Brandy Oolong, Ruby 18 will quickly become one of your favorites as well!
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I believe a big part of this tea’s excellence comes from the terroir as well as the skill of the teamasters involved. Because another very similar tea (also sold by Tealyra) is called Black Beauty #8, which also comes from the Sun Moon Lake region. But Teapedia describes TTES #8 as “a assamica varietal from Jaipur (India, Assam)”. So a completely different cultivar, with very similar flavors. It is my second-favorite. The TTES is a formal research station, so their pedigree designations are authoritative.
So, yes, Brandy Oolong Ruby 18 is, in my estimation, outstanding. Please also find other tea notes listed for this tea under the company’s prior name, Tealux. This is also among the more expensive tea I’ve had, at $8/25g since I get only one pleasing steeping out of it, thus it rivals good pu’ers, on a per-cup basis. But it handily beats all of them in flavor and aroma! YMMV.
Flavors: Caramel, Malt, Raisins, Stonefruit, Sugarcane, Tea
Well, now I love Oolong too. Crap. This means that I’m going to have to spend more money!
Up until now I’ve been heavy on the golden-tipped teas and Assams, but this throws something slightly different into the mix. Still smooth and caramelly like golden-tipped teas, but with a slightly more complex undertone to it. I don’t know quite how to describe it, and it’s pretty early, so I’m just going to enjoy my cuppa and revisit it many, many times in the future :) It just has a certain “something” that makes it so incredibly delicious and moreish.
Also, I can’t wait to try this tea out Gong Fu style. I bet that that’s going to be delicious.
Flavors: Caramel, Sweet
Got this one to try in my last TeaLyra order. The description sounded exactly like something I’ve been craving lately, and the tea did not disappoint. I usually prefer the stronger black teas, with rich flavor and malt. This tea, is very well balance, it is low in bitterness, Very aromatic and flavorful. The aroma is Rich! I smell honey, caramelized sugar, malt, and stone fruit like peaches and cherry. I had this tea with some tart dried cherries and it was just delicious. It has floral notes to it which come more pronounced with later steepings. But in general it is a delicious, aromatic brew. I’ve been drinking it all day today and even now (steeping 5-6?) I’m still getting a lovely nose from the cup sitting on my desk and its makes me smile, Ahhh Yuuum. I am really enjoying this one and it will definitely be one of the favorites on the list.
Flavors: Caramel, Floral, Honey, Malt, Peach, Stonefruit, Sugar
Amazing