My Overall Impression (Score of 86.0%)

Why such a high score for a tea that seems a bit muted in the nose?  I’ve been drinking tea for years and never come across something like this.  The mouthfeel on this is intoxicating.  As I reviewed, I drank three cups (I never do that) because it’s buttery and silky smooth.  Combine this with the great dimensions on the nose and flavor profile makes this a gem.  I wish I had discovered this tea earlier as I would be consuming more of it.  Please note that this is the 2021 blend which is still available.

The price as of 5/17/23 is $16.80 for 50 grams.

Broken down:

• 50 gm / 3 gm for steeping = 16 cups
• 16 cups from package = app $1.05 cents per cup

Typically, I double steep all my teas (use the tea twice) so I can get 32 cups or approximately 52.5 cents per cup.  This is a bit of the high end per cup.  However, it’s a limited tea with some amazing characteristics.  It’s well worth the price.  BTW, this will be a blast to play with as a chef. 😊

Aromas

• Opening the package, it presents sweet syrup floral notes mixed with green malt and dried grass. Beautiful notes of red grapes with a hint of raisins.  There is a great deal of dimension as there are a few aromas that were not distinctive.
• In the cup, it’s slightly muted from the above profile but still very attractive. After the brew, there’s a hint of smoky wood as well.

Flavors

• Right at the beginning, it shows great malt tones with an off dry sweetness and medium acid level. This has medium + tannins as they are hidden by other qualities (mouthfeel and sweetness).
• I describe this a bit of a flat profile with lots of muted flavors from mesquite and cedar, dried apples, muscatel, hints of vanilla and butter with a biscuit sweetness.
• The brew shows an amazing buttery texture with good body (almost reminds me of buttered rum on the mouthfeel) that is so inviting, you keep sipping on it over and over again.
• At the finish, the long-lasting flavor of malt gets a touch of tobacco (similar to after you smoke a cigar).
• Exceptionally different mouthfeel and flavor profile than I’m used to which makes it more attractive.

Scores

• Aromas (4.1/5)
• Flavors (8.8/10)
• Overall impression (4.3/5)
  • Total score = 86.0 percent (17.2/20)

Foods to Pair and Why

• Ham, egg, and cheese croissant that pairs with the acid levels, mouthfeel, flavor, and body,
• European Style scrambled eggs (double boiler) with Brioche that pairs with the mouthfeel, flavor, acid levels, body, and finish.
• Cheese stuffed grilled chicken thighs that pair with the sweetness, mouthfeel, body, finish, and tannins.
• Butter tarts that pair with the acid levels, flavors, aromas, body, and finish.
• Apple brined brisket that pairs with the aromas, sweetness, mouthfeel, tannins, and finish.