Risheehat Estate SFTGFOP1 First Flush (DJ-11) Organic (TD67)

This is the first year I have been so geeky about tea that I wanted to try a few first flush darjeelings as soon as they came out. OK, last year I’m not even sure I could tell you what a first flush was but I’m learning quickly. ;-)

This is a sample but it the most expensive one I got. I read there’s been a drought in the darjeeling region so this may affect the prices and availability of some teas.

The leaves of this tea are indeed still very green and look like the picture here. I noticed right away a fruity-flowery aroma. My impression of the nose of this tea are: vanilla, tropical fruit and a touch of anise. This is a great tea to savor because the nose is so very pleasant.

The color of this cup is medium yellow and very clear. I do agree with the pineapple description, it’s a bit sweet juicy fruit, but also a bit tart. As my cup cools, I am picking up on some more nuanced flowery notes as well as a slight butteriness, even.

I am not finding this to be very astringent like some other first flush darjeelings I’ve tried. I do believe this is an excellent selection from Upton and would be very tempted to buy more, although it is fairly pricy at $33/100g. I will certainly relish and savor what I have here. I’m thinking to myself, “OMG, this stuff is awesome!”

I was thinking about psychics recently, and while I do believe most psychics aren’t what they claim to be, I do believe some phychics are the real deal (like the ones who help law enforcement find people). Well, on May 12th I posted a review, saying my Birthday was today, along with many family members having May birthdays. Now yesterday, I got a package filled with tea samples. These samples were mailed before I let the cat out of the bag.

Thank You Amy Oh for the samples and for this delicious tea! You must be psychic! :))

This Darjeeling may be the best I’ve ever tasted-definitely the best in the last few years. The dry leaves are beautiful, well varigated green/brown hued leaves. When the tea was steeping I thought it smelled of asparagus and nuts-pecan-like pehaps. The wet leaves had similar aromas, and occasionally I thought I caught light wiffs of artichoke.

The cup color was light orange/brown, with a real sweetness that to me smelled nutty and green. I had a hard time pinpointing the aromas. There was not a deep nuttiness like a second flush, or a deep green profile. I also smelled fruits I couldn’t describe. That is rare for me. Definite aromas of what to me was asparagus and pecans were there, along with fruits, in a light yet full and balanced combination.

The taste was FREAKIN’ AWESOME!! The asparagus, nuts and fruits were so magical! The full flavors pleased my palate beyond explanation. There was no harsh astringency on my palate. I really thought there was little to no astringecy, except a minor amount upon swallowing, which was nothing but exceptionally pleasing!! :)) The flavors clinged to my palate long after the tea was gone. :))

This tea is VERY addicting- so juicy and delicious! I’ll sample this again soon! I wasn’t picking up on the pineapple, so I’ll see if I pick up on it with another superb cup. Thank You Amy for a nearly perfect tea, and the perfect close to a great Birthday! This tea made today a better day. :)) The party’s over :((…….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_-pcD9WqpA&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=659zk35_wRQ&feature=related

Cupped & Reviewed: Tuesday, May 15, 2012. THE IDES OF MAY!

A second steep at 212 for 3 minutes, reveals a light, flavorful cup. The cup itself was only slightly darker. Leaves revealed light, more fruity aromas, some of a light muscat quality. Aromas in the cup were lightly sweet, consisting of butter and honey notes. My palate was greeted with light fruitiness and light astringency. Overall, a cup of light aromas, flavors, and astringency-still worthy to be called a nice, gentle cup of tea. :))

Cupped: Thursday, May 17, 2012. Reviewed: Friday, May 18, 2012.

I still have about 5 or 6 FF Darjeeling samples that I haven’t tried yet. I got pretty discouraged when I didn’t really like my Thurbo. I enjoyed a FF Thurbo from RtR earlier this year, so I expected to like the new crop. Maybe the flavor changes that much 9 months after picking and I only like it as it gets a little older. Maybe the drought affected the flavor. I don’t know.

Anyhow, this has been the best of the ones I have tried. It’s beautiful collection of green, light brown and dark chocolate colored leaves. Dry leaf aroma is less floral and more fruity. I don’t love it, but it’s not unpleasant. The liquor is a nice golden yellow.

There is something fruity in the flavor-perhaps pineapple-and that helps. One thing I have noticed in all the Darjeelings I’ve tried is a type of weedy flavor. Maybe like a dandelion-not sure. It’s hard for me to overcome that flavor, though this tea does better at that than the others.

I tried this about 3 days in a row and thought I was really coming around to it, but I didn’t have any over the long weekend, and now today, I am not sure how much I like it. I have been constant with brewing parameters. I still have a couple more brews worth in my sample, so I will try some more to see how it goes.

I’m not going to give a number rating to any FF Darjeelings unless I find some that I am sure that I like.

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