This is another one of my favorites from this company. The dry leaf is incredibly fragrant. Once you open the punch you’re blasted with sweet smelling flowers and a soft woodiness. The leaves are darker than the first flush, but they every bit as tippy. You can easily spot multiple platinum tips in a handful of this sweet smelling leaf. I poured a heavy amount in my tetsubin and brewed away. The steeped leaves are still sweet, but they carry a wet wood roughness and a tangy maple aroma. The brew is thick and dark red. The initial sip begins with some smooth oak and moves into a walnut nuttiness. The drink finishes with a thick muscatel and some dark fruit in the background. This is a heavy muscatel toned beverage. I enjoy brewing this later in the day, so I may sit and unwind and pay attention to the transition of the flavors. It’s enjoying as how it begins almost rough and “bitey”, and then it softens and curbs the palette. This a great example of what a fine Darjeeling should taste like. You can also easily notice the sweet fragrant sweetness that lingers in the throat long after drinking. Personally, I enjoy both the First Flush and Second Flush Arya from this company; however, I prefer the First Flush in the morning for it’s crisp tones and Second Flush in the evening for it’s complexity and heavier tones. I highly recommend this tea, and there is not much of it left. The aroma from the liquor of this brew is something to experience. I am incredibly excited to experience this years harvest.
https://www.instagram.com/p/-T79fkzGe4/?taken-by=haveteawilltravel
Flavors: Dark Wood, Floral, Flowers, Muscatel, Nutty, Red Fruits, Sweet, Walnut
Preparation
Comments
I really like Arya Ruby. I’ve just had an email with this years first Darjeeling, its EX1 and no idea what the difference is in taste.. still very expensive though! http://www.mariagefreres.com/FR/2-namring-king-upper-darjeeling-first-flush-2016-T10041.html?utm_source=sarbacane&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Voeux%202016%20MF
I’ve good things about Mariagefreres; however, that is a bit pricey. Although, First Flush Darjeeling is rather up in price if its authentic and the quality matches the price point. EX1 are “symbols” they use after a leaf grading if it surpasses the scale. For Example, they use FTGFOP as a very high leaf grade, and if it’s considered “better” than they add on an extra number or letter. In this case, they did EX1, sometimes its 01 or 001. I’ve seen it used as a marketing technique for anything past FTGFOP is pushing into unrealistic. That’s only my personal opinion. @Rasseru
I thought EX was prior to the flush & DJ was after, with the numbers designating the batch. So DJ-1 is the first batch after the flush. And yes, that tea is pricey!
haha i may be wrong. Excelsior (who seems to be in the know about darjeeling) said that EX refers to experimental i.e. irrigated/not natural rain/flush so before the monsoon. If I am not mistaken? I know Goa gets very hot feb/march and then the monsoon hits and everything goes green. EX have less batch size and DJ have bigger amounts. Apparently the flavour can be pretty similar.
http://steepster.com/discuss/12458-the-2016-first-flush-darjeeling-thread
You make me really want to drink this! Sounds wonderful.
I really like Arya Ruby. I’ve just had an email with this years first Darjeeling, its EX1 and no idea what the difference is in taste.. still very expensive though! http://www.mariagefreres.com/FR/2-namring-king-upper-darjeeling-first-flush-2016-T10041.html?utm_source=sarbacane&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Voeux%202016%20MF
They have samples available Jim…
I’ve good things about Mariagefreres; however, that is a bit pricey. Although, First Flush Darjeeling is rather up in price if its authentic and the quality matches the price point. EX1 are “symbols” they use after a leaf grading if it surpasses the scale. For Example, they use FTGFOP as a very high leaf grade, and if it’s considered “better” than they add on an extra number or letter. In this case, they did EX1, sometimes its 01 or 001. I’ve seen it used as a marketing technique for anything past FTGFOP is pushing into unrealistic. That’s only my personal opinion. @Rasseru
heard*
I thought EX was prior to the flush & DJ was after, with the numbers designating the batch. So DJ-1 is the first batch after the flush. And yes, that tea is pricey!
ahhhh I must’ve been mistaken
haha i may be wrong. Excelsior (who seems to be in the know about darjeeling) said that EX refers to experimental i.e. irrigated/not natural rain/flush so before the monsoon. If I am not mistaken? I know Goa gets very hot feb/march and then the monsoon hits and everything goes green. EX have less batch size and DJ have bigger amounts. Apparently the flavour can be pretty similar.
http://steepster.com/discuss/12458-the-2016-first-flush-darjeeling-thread
ahhh okay, that makes more sense. I must be thinking of a different term.