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Daylon R Thomas drank First Kiss by Renegade Tea Estate

1724 tasting notes

This one is no longer on the Renegade Tea site, but this was one of their earlier methods for making black tea from 2019 and was one of the company’s first. The closest you can get from them right now is their Burnished Beauty from what I remember reading from one of their blog posts, which I have yet to try.

I got it because it was a sweet mellow and has the elusive cocoa note, and it’s the easiest of the Renegade Teas I got to drink. Dryleaf, it’s chocolaty/breadsy and has an floral autumn leaf aroma and taste like high quality 2nd Flush Darjeelings; albeit much softer and less acidic or spicy. Like all of the Georgian Teas I’ve had, it’s very forgiving. Even though it technically expired last month, it’s held up pretty well and actually tastes better than when I first opened it and bears a lot of similarities in body to the Eco-Cha Alishan Black I have.

To compensate for the expiration. I’ve dumped between 7-10 grams in a French press for 12 oz of hot water. Western has been the best style, and while it’s decent Tumbler/Grandpa style after 10 minutes, the tea can get a weirdly drying fruity/leafpile sitting too long in water astringency that I’m not sure how to describe. I’ve only done 2 Gong Fu attempts, but the session requires hefty leaf or only lasts between 3-4 cups, first and second being the best of the session.

Since all of the teas I got from Renegade Tea were a little bit lighter than I expected, apart of me thinks I should have tried the more bolder teas to see how bold they actually were. I personally do not like intense Assams or Sri Lanka Teas, so a full bodied Georgian tea might have a little bit more nuance in comparison. I’m going to try to finish of the rest of this that I can today..unless someone can stop me. I am glad I am actually catching up my backlogs and inventory, and I think this company deserves more love because they have some very unique teas that are all very mellow and notable.

Flavors: Autumn Leaf Pile, Bread, Brown Sugar, Chocolate, Cocoa, Drying, Floral, Grain, Malt, Savory, Smooth, Sweet

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First Off, Current Targets:

Whispering Pines Alice
Good Luxurious Work Teas
Wang Family’s Jasmine Shanlinxi
Spring, Winter Taiwan High Mountain Oolongs

Dislikes: Heavy Tannin, Astringency, Bitterness, or Fake Flavor, Overly herby herbal or aged teas

Picky with: Higher Oxidation Oolongs, Red Oolongs (Some I love, others give me headaches or are almost too sweet), Mint Teas

Currently, my stash is overflowing. Among my favorites are What-Cha’s Lishan Black, Amber Gaba Oolong, Lishan Oolong, Qilan Oolong, White Rhino, Kenya Silver Needle, Tong Mu Lapsang Black (Unsmoked); Whispering Pines Alice, Taiwanese Assam, Wang’s Shanlinxi, Cuifeng, Dayuling, Jasmine Shan Lin Xi; Beautiful Taiwan Tea Co.“Old Style” Dong Ding, Mandala Milk Oolong; Paru’s Milk Oolong

Me:

I am an MSU graduate, and current alternative ed. high school social studies and history teacher. I formerly minored in anthropology, and I love Egyptian and classical history. I love to read, write, draw, paint, sculpt, fence(with a sword), practice calisthenics on rings, lift weights, workout, relax, and drink a cuppa tea…or twenty.

I’ve been drinking green and black teas ever since I was little living in Hawaii. Eastern Asian influence was prominent with my friends and where I grew up, so I’ve been exposed to some tea culture at a young age. I’ve come a long way since I began on steepster and now drink most teas gong fu, especially oolong. Any tea that is naturally creamy, fruity, or sweet without a lot of added flavoring ranks as a must have for me. I also love black teas and dark oolongs with the elusive “cocoa” note. My favorites are lighter Earl Greys, some white teas like What-Cha’s Kenyan offerings, most Hong-Cha’s, darker Darjeelings, almost anything from Nepal, Green Shan Lin Xi’s, and Greener Dong Dings. I’m in the process of trying Alishan’s. I also tend to really enjoy Yunnan Black or Red teas and white teas. I’m pickier with other teas like chamomile, green teas, and Masalas among several.

I used to give ratings, but now I only rate teas that have a strong impression on me. If I really like it, I’ll write it down.

I’ll enjoy a tea almost no matter what, even if the purpose is more medicinal, for it is my truest vice and addiction.