ooh, this one is really nice. It has nice large fluffy leaves and smells very flowery in the bag.
According to my little pouch this tea was picked on Nov 11, 2011. I steeped it at 5 minutes at around 195 F.
Yum! I happen to really like this flavor profile. It has a sweet malty aroma and also seems like it has a lightly toasted or baked quality. Biscuits anyone? I am also picking up the sandalwood aroma and the tea after drinking just gently coats your palette with no real astringency that I can detect. Slightly buttery but this is not one of the main flavors I’m picking up. At times this reminds me of an oolong and at others times it reminds me of a darjeeling but it’s really pretty unique which seems to part of the Himalayan terroir…
Slightly brisk and lingering according to the RTR website. Yes this does seem like an apt description. I do like tea companies that can really sum up the essence of the tea in a brief paragragh.
Very well done, all around. Also very pricey so would have to decide if I really need this in my stash or no…
The Jun Chiyabari Estate is tops when it comes to Himilayan teas from what I’ve read. I don’t really know if I need to purchase this from RTR, since I order from Upton’s and they carry a few JC teas. Or do I? I really trying to rationalize my own thoughts here while at the same time asking questions. :))
Scott, I don’t know. I’d imagine estate teas are similar no matter who you order them from. :)
Yeah, I agree…….but “they” say that different lots from the same estate can vary significantly sometimes. Unless I see several teas from RTR that I’m really wanting to try, I’ll shop elsewhere, but your reviews make it tempting. Also, I am trying to consume more of what I have in house now.
They’ve only been around since October 2011, maybe that’s why… http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tea-connoisseurs-herald-arrival-of-new-company-rare-tea-republic-132319123.html
Thanks for the info. :))