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Cameron B. drank Smoky Earl Grey by Fortnum & Mason

4111 tasting notes

Fortnum & Mason Advent Calendar 2021 – Day 6

Ooh, an interesting one today! I wouldn’t say I’m a lapsang lover generally. I don’t dislike it, but it’s not something I drink often or would buy. That being said, there’s a smoked Earl Grey from Lupicia that I adore, so I’m excited for this!

I quite like this. I will say, I’m surprised that some people found this to be overpoweringly smoky, as I don’t get that at all. The smokiness has a nice balance of savory meatiness with more earthy charred wood. I would maybe call it a moderate level of smokiness. The bergamot is there as well, and it has refreshing lemony flavor that cuts through the rich smoke well. It’s a rather mellow amount of bergamot, but this is still obviously an Earl Grey to me. Underneath the smoke, the Chinese base is smooth and earthy.

This won’t replace my Earl Grey Grand Classic, as I’m missing the juicy longan flavor, but I will enjoy working my way through the mini tin. Also, I had this with toast and some Bonne Maman Sweet Orange-Passion Fruit Spread, which was very yummy. I’m not generally a marmalade lover, as I find it can be quite bitter, but that wasn’t the case here. And the passion fruit added a nice punchy tartness! :)

Flavors: Bergamot, Char, Citrus, Earth, Floral, Lemon, Meat, Savory, Smoke, Smoked, Smooth, Wood

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 30 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

I Like This

16 likes

4 comments

ashmanra
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I really liked this one! Is Grand Classic a Lupicia or a Fortnum?

Cameron B.
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Grand Classic is a Lupicia! It has lapsang and longan, which tastes like lychee to me. Sounds weird but so good lol!

ashmanra
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I will check it out for next order!

AJRimmer
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Ha if this is only medium smoke level, I never ever want to experience maximum smoke!

People who liked this

Comments

ashmanra
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I really liked this one! Is Grand Classic a Lupicia or a Fortnum?

Cameron B.
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Grand Classic is a Lupicia! It has lapsang and longan, which tastes like lychee to me. Sounds weird but so good lol!

ashmanra
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I will check it out for next order!

AJRimmer
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Ha if this is only medium smoke level, I never ever want to experience maximum smoke!

Profile

Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- September Sipdowns: 2
- Total 2024 Sipdowns: 121

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia.

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing