Backlog:
Let me start by apologizing for the photo. It looks terribly distorted. If you check out my full-length review of this tea, you’ll see a slightly better version of the photo of the tea: http://sororiteasisters.com/2014/05/17/darjeeling-second-flush-black-tea-from-simple-loose-leaf/ (Even though the photo is kind of small)
Anyway … on to the tea!
My preference for Darjeeling tends to be the second flush so I was happy to see that this was a second flush Darjeeling in Simple Loose Leaf’s May Selection Club box. I prefer the second flush because it usually has more muscatel-ish notes and they make me happy. That said, I would like to say that I’ve tried some amazing first flush Darjeeling teas from this year’s harvests that have made me happy also.
But, I’m not talking about those right now, right now, I’m talking about this Second Flush Darjeeling from Simple Loose Leaf, and this tea made me quite happy. A lovely, well-rounded taste with lots of fruity notes. Lovely muscatel. Woodsy, earthy layers of flavor.
Smooth, uplifting, grape-y notes that transform into a black currant flavor toward the finish. Sweet! A slightly tangy finish but far less astringent than some Darjeelings that I’ve encountered. This is more smooth … with what I’d call a moderate dry astringency.
A fine Darjeeling.