1359 Tasting Notes
2023 sipdown no. 70
This tea has a very savoury scent once steeped, with hints of saltiness – almost like a Ritz cracker. There’s hints of stewed fruits with a maltiness cut through and a fascinating savoury-sweetness in this tea. It’s difficult to describe, but a lovely tea from MS.
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 69
This one is much rosier than the initial harvest I tried of this tea (though still lovely and creamy). The honey is behind all the rose/floral that’s at the forefront. It’s still tasty, but not my favourite cup of tea. Sending what remains off to Kaylee to enjoy!
This harvest was picked Spring 2022
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 68
Such a sad sipdown. I absolutely adore this company and they don’t ship to Canada — so I’ll have to stock up when we make it back to CPH ❤.
This is a strong Earl Grey with a very crisp, ‘clean’ taste. There’s hints of astringency almost like sitting on a fence that tempt to come out, but never fully do. I have learned this one does best just under boiling and with a short steep or it can become astringent. I stand by the timer and absolutely do not oversteep. It’s also best drunk when it’s cooled just enough to be drinkable — at least for me. Really, really enjoy this one and can’t wait to pick up more!
Preparation
At first sip, there is a candy-esque flavour here, but not one that’s too overwhelming. There’s also a slight edge of bitterness, but again, not too bad. As the tea cools, there is a jamminess that comes forward and it’s really quite nice. I could only find this available in a sachet, but that makes it easy to take a few in to work!
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 66
I forgot to add this to my cupboard, so sadly no satisfaction from watching my cupboard number drop. I don’t really order green tea (though always happy to try it in swaps), but this one was so intriguing being the only tea production in Bhutan, and from an all-women cooperative!
There’s a definite seaweed-esque smell once steeped. However, this fades away in the taste, which has a vegetal flavour, with very subtle hints of sweetness and an edge of bitterness (that may have some from the water temperature, because in previous cups it hasn’t been as prominent).
The second steep is also tasty, with perhaps an edge more bitterness, but also more sweetness at the end of the sip.
Preparation
This one has an immediate, but not overwhelming, waffle-honey sweetness against a medium body. There’s naturally a smooth maltiness as well. I mean, Taiwanese High Mountain teas are my all-time favourite, but I loved this one so much upon my first cup, I went and ordered more XD. I really love that this comes from a female tea master as well. Thankfully I managed to snag some before it sold out — the following day!
I hope they keep stocking this one because it’s a winner!
1st steep: 1 minute
2nd steep: 2 minutes, 30 seconds
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 65
This tea is light, bordering on medium-bodied, with hints of malt hidden amongst subtle, sweet red fruit flavours (a mix of strawberry, cherry, and red currant). A really lovely cuppa and one I would order more of if given the chance.
1st steep: 1 minute
2nd steep: 2 minutes, 30 seconds
P.S. I realised quite quickly that I adore a red oolong.
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 64
This tea is really beautiful to look at — rolled leaves with a unique shine and purple-blue in colour. The maltiness of this tea is heavenly. It’s somehow light-medium bodied with an incredible natural honey sweetness that cuts through the malt. I would re-order another 50g of this one.
Intriguing.