Just received the new 2012 batch this week and it is sublime.
This is tea for the purist. An absolutely delicious aroma, classic assam color, perhaps slightly on the darker side. The taste provides just enough sweetness, just enough honey notes, and there is very little astringency. This is quite simply how I like my tea – unaided by external forces, so no sugar, no milk (or in my case almond or coconut milk). It is full of body yet smooth and soothing that you just want to keep it in your mouth and savor it just a while longer.
This is what a cup of black tea should taste like. Next up is the full leaf assam, and I’ll provide a comparison in that tasting note.