Organic Yunnan Golden Needle

This is definitely a quality tea. It is very smooth and mellow. Refined really. It consistent notes of wood, tobacco and honey. It also gave off notes of dark chocolate at hotter temps and was a bit starchy as it cooled. There was a mellow spice on the finish. I love a good Yunnan. This one is pricey but worth it if you like a good Golden Needle.

Incredible, and one of the best of its type. As the others have said, it is creamy and chocolaty while also having a slight woody backnote that gives it some structure. Remarkable.

Any of you who’ve seen my other updates regarding Golden Needles, Gold Buds, or – hell – anything with the word “gold” in it will know where this is going. This was the most perfect of the perfect. Smooth and creamy, honey-like, malty, nectarine-rich, and basic Midas-touched excellence. If I have any gripe, it’s that I think I brewed it too light. Even with that personal snag, though, it turned out majestic. This was Christ-on-a-pogo-stick perfect.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2011/04/04/review-american-tea-room-organic-yunnan-golden-needles-4/

(Caveat: The sample I received was labeled “Golden Yunnan” and advised steeping @ 200 for 5 minutes. I hope/assume it’s this tea).

Wow. What a smooth, full-bodied, flavorful cup this is. I brewed it for the full five minutes suggested, all the while worrying it might turn bitter, but such was not the case. No bitterness whatsoever. I did not get the tobacco notes — which is fine with me, because I’m not fond of tobacco or anything smoky — but I did sense honey, dark chocolate, caramel and a hint of fresh-baked bread. The mouth-feel is sort of thick and heavy, in a pleasant way, but there is no aftertaste. The liquor is golden-reddish-brown.

This is robust without being rough. Elegant, even. But not delicate. It’s bursting with smooth, addictive flavor. This is how black tea should taste. I’d love to have more of this.

Had a weird aftertaste, one I would best describe as similiar to seafood. Would not recommend.

Sipdown no. 22 of 2021 (no. 642 total). A sample. Backlogging from yesterday.

This was a painful sipdown, as this tea was a delight. Such a smooth, drinkable tea. While it doesn’t have the depth of some Yunnans, for it really hit the spot with me yesterday. You don’t always need depth. Some days you need a gentle, smooth, flavorful entre into the morning.

Sorry to see it go. Can’t improve on the detail in the initial note.

What a silky smooth tea! Wonderful notes of apple, chocolate, coffee, sweetness