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derk drank 2020 Yabukita Wakocha, 'Japanese Darjeeling' by Liquid Proust Teas

1644 tasting notes

If I hadn’t known this was a first flush Japanese black tea, I’d call it a second or an autumn flush Darjeeling.

It’s very aromatic. The dry leaf smells so much like a Darjeeling even down to the musky, green chillies/leaf, desert earth/incense descriptions I tend to give to those teas. Very floral in the nose and mouth. Lots of smooth and rich grain-malt and muscatel (plus some other fruitiness I can at best guess say is passionfruit) in the first two thirds of the sip, then in the back of the mouth it flattens out. I had Keak da Kook take a few sips this morning. She said when she swallowed it was like toilet water in the back. Ok, Keak. Other than that she enjoyed the flavors and aroma and so did I.

Thanks for sending my way White Antlers! I think I shipped some off to Leafhopper. If so, I’d love to see that tasting note :)

Flavors: Earth, Floral, Fruity, Grain, Malt, Muscatel, Passion Fruit, Round, Smooth, Spicy

Preparation

195 °F / 90 °C 4 min, 0 sec 3 g 10 OZ / 300 ML

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2 comments

White Antlers
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You’re welcome. Looking forward to leafhopper’s note, too.

Leafhopper
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Derk, you did send some to me, and I’ve been searching for the optimal steeping parameters. After using 4 g of that Laos black tea in 355 ml of water, I was worried what such treatment would do to this tea. Maybe I’ll use 3.5 g and see what happens. :)

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White Antlers
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You’re welcome. Looking forward to leafhopper’s note, too.

Leafhopper
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Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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