Early on:
Sticky plum/date, pipe tobacco, antique shop and old books aroma on the wet leaves.
Brews a clean bourbon dark orange. Dryness on the tongue.
Mild flavour, but clean and crisp. Tastes like candied tobacco with faraway background aromatics of incense (just a slight whiff)
The energy is calming and focused more in my head. Bit of a dull mellow thing going on there.
Middle steeps
Mild flavour still. More bitterness but pleasing. Continuation of energy, based exclusively in the head. Cooling sensation along the sides of my tongue.
End game
Flavour erodes but sweetens. A touch of malt creeps in. Bitterness remains, but reduces. Cooling in the mouth, still dry on the tongue. I prefer this later stage.
I would advise against pushing this on the brews. Would likely be too bitter.
I wouldn’t get a full cake of this. I think the energy is what plays out here, rather than a taste experience. I would place the energy as medium personally. Excellent storage, has been well kept and managed beautifully.
A bit pricey I feel, but such is the way with decent aged, well stored tea.
