No. 720 Jackpot Derby

This tea was sent to me by Martin – many thanks, Martin!

I had this on the patio after breakfast. Although I looked at this listing for it a while back, I had forgotten what the flavors were so I had fun trying to see what scents I detected. I thought I was smelling lemon, but not tart lemon. It was a soft and slightly citrus aroma. There was a fruitiness as well. I asked Ashman to sniff the tea and then sip it and he said he detected fruit and he liked the tea.

The more I sipped the more I thought it was reminding of something with lavender that I have had before…and I realized I was tasting fig! The fig flavor really built up throughout the several small cups that I drank. I have Fig and Lavender from Tea Grotto and this reminds me very much of their fig flavoring. I liked theirs so much that I put it on my wishlist a while back, and Superanna bought me some.

The fig in this was so very similar to that one, minus the lavender. It was delicious. I think perhaps the base was giving the lemon vibes, but it was not at all astringent or sharp. It was quite smooth. The base tea was full of middle notes, lacking really sharp high tones or deep bassy or cocoa tones. It was a great carrier for this lovely flavoring.

I added this to my paper and tea order because Ros and Martin liked it so much. Sorry to say the tea has changed formulas and the fig flavor is no longer there. I had hopes that the black currant flavor was of similar quality, but although it does taste like berries, there is a weird after taste that is not pleasing. They use bourbon vanilla flavoring in a bunch of their teas, I’m wondering if that is the offending flavor. Its going into the give away box.

Adventaggedon Day 13: Tea 5/8

So I liked this tea a lot. It was so smooth but full bodied with really nuanced notes of fig preserve, leather, pipe tobacco, malt, and just a little bit of smoke. It tasted very nuanced and elegant despite maintaining a simplicity and directness to the flavour. Definitely the type of tea I could very easily see stocked up in my own stash!

ADVENT DAY 9
It snows all day. What a fun to ride a car in this weather (irony). But it was necessary. I have a crown instead my tooth. Hurray!

And this tea waited for me in the afternoon at home. I did only single steep, as I had my two years old niece around and we were baking Christmas cookies, so not much time for tea.

I am grateful for tea from derk that I have finally received and now I have to find some time to put it into virtual cupboard. I don’t think I will do it today, although there are some nice ones for sure.

But for this tea. It should have fig, honey and leather notes and I can say I noticed all three? The base was very rich and leathery, but not in offensive way; smooth and enjoyable as well. Honey — I dare to say dark one. Very mouthcoating. Great base! ANd finally, the fig. I haven’t got much figs lately, to be honest. But it has got some quite nice fruitiness, a bit tropical for me — so I hope it is a fig.

Overall very enjoyable afternoon cuppa. I think I am getting used to their “not hitting in nose” notes and I can notice those fruits, herbs, whatever is in.