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“Okay, this time with a shorter steep and no additives and I’m much happier. The balance seems much better, the smoke is still there but not as harsh and the smell is simply delightful. ...” Read full tasting note
“I’m having a difficult time rating this tea today. It’s…very unusual. Earl Grey is probably the tea that drew me to tea, years ago…strange but true. Especially strange in light of the fact that I...” Read full tasting note
“I actually struggled to write as much about this one as I did. It’s overwhelmingly smoky, and any other elements are incredibly difficult to identify. It doesn’t taste like Earl Grey to me, just...” Read full tasting note
“Pulled a serving of this out of one of the traveling boxes. I’m wondering if this is the right tea. It is a little smokey and not really EG like. A few sips in and the tea base is what I mostly...” Read full tasting note
Introduction: A blend of Organic Indian black tea from Nilgiri infused with natural Bergamot essence and Organic smoked tea from Fujian Province in China. The smoked tea is better known as Lapsang Souchong in China.
Ingredients: 100% Organic Black Tea Leaves, Natural Bergamot Essence
Certified Organic by: Quality Assurance International (QAI)
Company description not available.
Okay, this time with a shorter steep and no additives and I’m much happier. The balance seems much better, the smoke is still there but not as harsh and the smell is simply delightful. Ultimately, though, it’s similar enough to Scarlet Sable that I’d feel repetitive stocking my pantry with this tea, especially when I like the slightly more complex flavor of SS. Still gonna enjoy this one while I have it!
Wait, did I just select something with rooibos over something without? That’s gotta be a sign of the apocalypse.
I’m having a difficult time rating this tea today. It’s…very unusual.
Earl Grey is probably the tea that drew me to tea, years ago…strange but true. Especially strange in light of the fact that I tend to have an aversion to intensely perfumey sorts of teas.
This one combines lapsang souchong and earl grey, and there is definitely no mistaking that fact: you can find both very powerful, very fragrant notes together here.
I’ve read that other people have thought ‘smoked pork’ when they smell lapsang souchong, and I’ve always been a little bit tickled by that; for me, lapsang souchong has always just smelled like a campfire, more pine-like than meat-like.
This is the first time I’ve opened a bag and thought…oh…definitely smoked pork.
The tea does not, thankfully, taste like smoked pork.
I’m sort of reminded of Samovar’s Scarlet Sable, unsurprisingly, but I think I prefer this one. The longer I sip it, the more I’m enjoying the sweet, citrus-floral component. It seems to linger on the palate just as well as the smoked lapsang does, making this tea feel lighter than your average lapsang despite the fact that I think it’s really not, in actuality. It does lack the harsh, acrid tar element that some lapsangs seem to tend toward, but since that’s my least favorite quality of lapsang souchong, I can say I’m pretty glad that it does.
This was definitely not the tea I wanted when my order from Tao of Tea came in, but I was so curious about it that I couldn’t help myself. I’m not sorry that I had some. It’s a strange combination, but it works! Citrus and floral and smoke. Gonna have to say…this tea…is a harlot in a housefire.
A little bit more in-your-face with the flavor than many teas I consider staples, but one of those blends that probably occupies a space that no other tea can wholly occupy.
This sounds really interesting! I’m not a huge Earl Grey fan either, and I’ve never had Lapsang Souchong, but somehow the idea of citrus and smoked pork sounds delicious :)
By the way, did you leave of the rating for any specific reason? I was curious as to what you’d rate this…
I couldn’t figure out how to rate it! It wasn’t what I was wanting when I had it, so…I feel like I might’ve short-changed it if I’d tried, and it was unusual enough that I thought I’d better live with it a while before I decided. It’d definitely be in the green range of things, though…I’m just not sure where!
This sounds oddly interesting.
I actually struggled to write as much about this one as I did. It’s overwhelmingly smoky, and any other elements are incredibly difficult to identify. It doesn’t taste like Earl Grey to me, just smoke. Lots and lots of smoke.
If you do like their Pine Smoked Black tea, this tastes nearly identical.
You can read the full review (as short as it is) here:
http://wordsabouttea.blogspot.com/2013/07/smoked-earl-grey-by-tao-of-te.html
Pulled a serving of this out of one of the traveling boxes. I’m wondering if this is the right tea. It is a little smokey and not really EG like. A few sips in and the tea base is what I mostly taste. It’s mellow and smooth, a little bit of dry grass/hay flavor on top of malt. But that isn’t right, is it?! I feel like I need to walk away from the cup for a few minutes and come back later. Nope, still not what I would expect with the name, but also a very enjoyable cup.
From Pass the Stash TTB 2.0
This tea has received very little love from other Steepsters, but I am adoring it. There is the classic Earl Grey flavor with a good amount of bergamot. The bergamot is all citrus and very little floral. The smokey flavor follows right behind, and while it is smokey it’s not harsh. It also doesn’t overwhelm the bergamot at any point. This would be an excellent EG to have in my cupboard come winter.
Earl Grey? Love it. Lapsang souchong? First time trying it. Smoked? Not my cup’a tea.
Can’t say I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. This tea is… “special”. If you want campfire in your mouth, this is the tea for you.
Haha. It must be! Though it’ll be good motivation for me to go back and retry Scarlet Sable, now that Caramelized Pear has helped me be less afraid of rooibos again. I’ve gone through almost all of my Samovar stuff but that!
You are a fellow Zojirushi user, yes? For me, I found that SS shines more when made with boiling water. I loved having it at work (electric kettle) then brought it home with the Zo and it was just kind of eh until I figured out it all out. I think it’s the only time I use that reboil button! :)