Noël à Montréal

Picked this one up from Dammann Freres when I got my advent because, I mean, how could I miss the opportunity to taste DF’s interpretation of a blend inspired by the city I live in. Plus, I usually adore their “Christmas In…” tea series.

I put a sample of this in the handmade tea advent I gifted my coworker this year because even though I hadn’t tried it yet I knew she would love the name and stylistically it’s very much the type of teas she goes for. I think in her advent it was the tea for the 23rd? Anyway, she made a point to message me when she drank it even though we were both on vacation at this point just to let me know how much she adored it – so I was stoked to try it myself.

I am… unsure how I feel about it, which is a little bit of a let down in and of itself. I think the flavours they chose to represent Montreal feel pretty solid: chestnut, maple, apple, chocolate, and then a bit of anise and orange. In particular I think the chestnut is really strong as an option and maple is, of course, the low hanging choice. But, it’s just A LOT of flavours happening on the palate and I found it a little cacophonous. Sure, it’s mostly the chocolate, chestnut, and apple notes that come through over all the other ones but it’s still too busy tasting for me.

Now, that said, I have that sort of Spidey Sense that this might be the type of blend that grows on you the more you drink it and I think it probably also would have benefited me to drink it the way she had (ie. without an ingredient list) so that I wasn’t “looking” for the flavours and could have better allowed them to bleed over into one another to create a more ethereal profile. I’ll probably try to drink it that way next time, as much as I mentally can let go of that inherent feeling of needing to solve/pick apart the notes.

Anyway, all that to say it’s not unpleasant and I feel like I kind of see the vision. I just want it to be a bit more stripped down. I think just apple and chestnut would have been really lovely tasting – maybe with a hint of the maple. Chestnut feels very Canadiana to me and makes me think of the buckwheat and chestnut crepes so commonly served in the opens markets during the summers here, but is also kind of festive and wintery. So that’s the flavour I’d probably have doubled down on.

Another great blend from Dammann Freres, while I loved this blend it is not for everyone. This blend has a lovely balance of orange, anise, and a touch of maple sweetness. If you don’t like anise, you probably won’t love this blend. I really liked it, it was perfect for me.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but something about DF’s chestnut flavour doesn’t sit right with me. It seems to come off as woody/musty. I had the same issue with Oolong Châtaigne. Otherwise, I can get definite star anise and hints of chocolate.

Dammann Frères Advent 2021 – Day 15
This chestnut tea sounded so good on paper that I ordered it along with my Advent calendar so I’ve been drinking it for a few weeks now. I love chestnuts but at first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. It’s a great tea, I just wasn’t sure if it was my type of great tea. But I keep coming back to drink it so obviously this is working for me.

This tea has such a strong personality. It’s unique. It’s very rich and layered with so many flavors that it keeps it interesting. The chestnut is not the freshly roasted chestnut kind you get on the street in winter, it’s more like candied chestnut. And surprisingly, I like the maple syrup here.

The marriage between the chestnut the chocolate the pastry and maple syrup definitely makes you feel like you’re eating a rich dessert like a Mont Blanc, Angelina’s teahouse famous dessert. It’s thick and rich and sweet. It makes me think of chestnut buttercream and chestnut meringue in a sweet buttery crust. OK clearly I’m hungry! It’s delicious, but it’s strong.

I need to remember to not sweeten it too much. It’s a perfectly Wintery tea and it matches its name nicely. I can’t say that I pick up too much on the green apple or clementine, but it might be what keeps it from being too sweet or too rich.

I think I’ve decided that I prefer this without additions. Milk seems to perk up the star anise.

The flavours of the blend cohere better and more smoothly when the tea is drunk black.

I hope I remember this next time.

Dammann Frères Advent 2021 – Day 15
&
Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge Wednesday, December 15th: International Tea Day

Second time trying this and I like it even more. There’s so much going on in this but all simply works as cohesive whole to create a pretty unique chestnut tea. The anise, chocolate, clementine, and maple are also popping in and out as secondary components today.

I enjoy this one a lot but don’t think I’d be able to work through a large quantity, just because it’s a super heady/rich tea – especially with the anise. Every now and then, around winter time, would be a treat though!