Breathless

Hit the spot tonight! I made a smokey cheese ball for an event tomorrow and thought, cold night, don’t have wine, why not a boozy tea? went well with everything, especially strong goat cheese snacking. I haven’t been logging teas much sadly but I’ve been having fun drinking them :)

I can taste the alcohol and prunes here, along with some sweetness from the white chocolate. I liked it without milk, but it was even better with milk. I just soaked a bunch of dried fruit in alcohol for a homemade panettone, so I have to say that this tea does quite the authentic job at imitating fruit soaked in alcohol. It’s sweet and unique.

This is such an interesting tea. I can taste everything in the description- creamy white chocolate, boozy brandy, and prunes. I definitely have to be in a particular mood for this one, but I really enjoy it!

Trying a new approach with AU teas… lower temp. At the start of the cup I thought it was an improvement, but as I continue it seems less interesting. As it cools to a drinkable temp, there is an alkaline taste in there. I get something fruity in there, but can’t name which fruits. Sad to say I’m not into this one.

This is a tea I would repurchase for the scent alone. Opening the pouch, you’re hit with a strong cherry scent (almost reminiscent of cough medicine, but not that bad). The prune also comes through, but not as strongly. There is another scent I can’t quite describe, maybe that is the note of armagnac, which I’ve never had. The tea also smells wonderful while steeping. The cherry isn’t as overpowering as it is when the pouch is first opened.

Drinking the tea, I think the prune comes through more than the cherry flavor that the makers note in their tasting description. Again, I can’t speak to any boozy flavors. The brew has a thin mouthfeel, but that may be because of my steeping.

A note about steeping: they recommend 3 T per 8 oz, for 5 minutes. I’ve not tried it there, that seems like way too much tea for the water. I’m afraid of getting something bitter and undrinkable, but maybe that would solve the problem of the thinner mouthfeel that I get from the August Uncommon Black Teas.

I seem to enjoy this one more than the other Steepsterites. The dry leaf hits you with warm prune (hey, I like prunes) and a shot of booze. Steeped, I don’t really get hazelnut brittle but mostly creamy cocoa butter and brandied prunes. The base is subtle and pairs perfectly with the fruit. Adding milk does kill the soft cocoa butter background, and you are left with a whisper of plum. I’m glad I just got a sample size, but for what it’s worth, it was money and time well spent even though it’s not my favourite blend of theirs.

Another sample sipdown.

This is a strange one. I find the tart stonefruit flavor to be rather cacophonous next to the creamy and smooth flavors. They work against each other and the overall result is rather diminished.

Also, there’s something weird and soapy, and I also got the same flavor last time. I think it might be the tartness combined with the cream? It reminds me of rancid coconut unfortunately…

Nope, not for me! Thank goodness for sample sizes. ;)

This starts off nice, creamy and sweet with a booziness to it that blends with the stonefruit flavors that make up the body of the tea. However, as you keep drinking, it starts to take on a burnt quality I just don’t love.

Check out my full review here: http://sororiteasisters.com/2018/03/27/breathless-from-august-uncommon/

Tried this one as a hot brew first, and was a bit concerned. Although I like the Assam base tea and am definitely detecting the creamy, white chocolate, there is something off about it. I first noticed it in the scent of the dried leaf – overall enticing, but then ruined by some weird, tangy note that seemed very off putting. It showed up in the liquor as well, unfortunately. I usually really like August teas, and the description seemed perfect for me, so this was a little disappointing. I then tried it iced. So. Much. Better. Makes a lovely iced tea and for some reason, that weird tang (perhaps the booziness others are noticing?) was almost completely obliterated. Whew! It’s too bad I can’t really enjoy it hot, but since I do drink a lot of teas iced, this will definitely be drunk.

Not sure i’m getting white chocolate from this one – i don’t really eat white chocolate….but i am getting the brandied prunes. This is a half decent cup, and a welcome change from the more recent AU flops that have been most of their teas lately. Still nothing i’m sad about missing, but i appreciate the opportunity to try it VariaTEA!