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Daylon R Thomas drank West Lake Dragonwell - Old Tree Grade B by Trident Booksellers and Cafe Boulder Colorado

1725 tasting notes

Thank you Trident for the sample! I got this with the Red Plum Dragonwell Black I purchased. I only purchased an oz of that one because I really wanted to try a Black Dragonwell, and they generously sent an 8 gram sample of this.

It’s been a while since I had a dragonwell, or since I reviewed a straight green tea. Going gong fu, 120 ml, 10, 13, 16, 20, 15, 10, 25 before getting vegetal bitter and astringent. Earlier steeps were incredibly flavorful and well balanced. I couldn’t smell the dryleaf too much, but the brewed tea was nutty. Chestnuts are prominent in every steep in this tea starting of lighter, then ramping up into steep three. Like they describe, the tea is really clean and sweet. I’m impressed how balanced the snow pea notes are with the violet notes. Two and four gave me the most violet notes.

I was really happy with this one. I wouldn’t drink this one often, given it’s around $20 an oz, though honestly worth it if you are into good quality greens. I usually think Dragonwells are too vegetal, but this one is closer to an oolong in how smooth and sweet it is. It made think again how close to green teas the oolong I get are. I’m excited to finish this one off, and more excited to try the black tea.

Flavors: Chestnut, Nutty, Savory, Smooth, Snow Peas, Sweet, Vegetal, Violet

Preparation

185 °F / 85 °C 0 min, 15 sec 4 g 4 OZ / 118 ML

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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.