I had it Western style. The dry leaf is long, remarkably wiry and gnarly, which is pleasant. Its smell is restrained, with notes of fresh hay,malt, honey and pepper. The wet leaf acquires undertones of ash, earth, molasses and overripe berries.
The liquor is pale and it takes some time for it to darken appreciably. The taste is similarly understated: baked bread, malt, molasses, smoke, dark cherries, citrus zest. It has a good lasting power and could be sipped for a long time at different temperatures. A nice and balanced aftertaste.
Overall, it is a very enjoyable restrained tea with the profile of mostly baked bread + cherry/molasses sweetness. No astringency whatsoever. It could be a reliable daily drinker.
Flavors: Ash, Berries, Bread, Cherry, Citrus Zest, Hay, Honey, Malt, Molasses, Smoke
Sounds like a winner!
I really liked this one too. I need to restock it.
I remember having this one… Great tea!
Well, it is on sale now at Whatcha. And despite coming from the 2018 harvest it is still very potent.
Bluegreen: you are teasing me now!