154 Tasting Notes
Sipdown
I grabbed this over the Christmas holiday, on sale, because the Grinch was on the packaging. I attempted to use this during the holiday Advent Calendar season, but the teas in the gift box were mostly boring, and there was very little to say. This tea was hard to finish…It’s not the worst bagged tea, but it’s not great. The peppermint was very light and the black tea base was hardly present.
Sipdown
When B&B makes a blend, it’s either really good or really bad. This happened to be a blend I found quite lovely. I purchased a sample (20g) since I wanted to compare it with the Butter Mint. This was the better of the two since the Butter Mint seemed to have a lower quality of milk oolong (it often got bitter). This was far smoother in taste and texture, and it made for a solid cup – slightly sweet and creamy.
Flavors: Cream, Mint, Peppermint, Sweet
Sipdown
It’s cold-ish and raining here in NE Ohio. The sun teased us yesterday morning, but that only lasted a fraction of a moment. Alas, today is much more dreary. I decided it was best to brew something to give me motivation and energy enough to clean the house.
This was a really lovely session. It was malty enough, but not too much so. It had a slight cocoa sweetness on the initial sip, which is immediately overtaken by the malt.
Flavors: Cocoa, Malt
Sipdown
From the February 2023 Club
Notes: Cannabis, seaweed, & sweet candied nuts (cashews? almonds?)
Flavors: Almond, Cannabis, Cashew, Seaweed
I had a late night session with this tea as I watched the French WWI film Grand Illusion. I wasn’t expecting this tea to WOW me, but it did the job to give a pleasant session during a great watch.
Notes: Soupy mouthfeel, smooth, lightly sweet, & peach skin
*Roswell Strange noted peach skin…I wasn’t sure what I was tasting. I used a Yixing pot which happened to mute the tasting notes. I assumed they’d be elevated, but alas, I was wrong. Definitely might brew this grandpa style next time (I’m not sure if there will be a next time on the account I didn’t see anymore of these in the sipdown pu pile) since it feels like a sheng that can handle near boiling water and long steeping times.
Flavors: Peach, Smooth
Sipdown
I am sipping this tonight while working, but I failed the last sipdown due to missing lunch or break to give it a moment’s thought.
TGY is one of those teas which make me reminiscence since it was the first tea that set the tea journey rolling. However, there are some which are similar to that first tea (Monkey Picked from Teavana); which the fondness left after years of finding better oolong. I’ll note that Verdant had some promising TGY samples along the way, but this one isn’t one of the few that I loved. It’s too much like the Monkey Picked from long ago – seasonings, unknown (basil? bay leaves?), and not really meeting my palate’s quality control. I do understand the appealing aspects of this brew, but it’s not for me…
My interest in tea also began with Monkey Picked Oolong from Teavana. It must be a common gateway tea. Good green TGY is hard to find.
Truly is, this was alright, but I’ve learned to appreciate far more complicated oolongs. :/
Rishi’s tieguanyin was my gateway oolong with baozhong from lupicia
I’ve not had their TGY, but oolong seems to be a good gateway tea.
Sipdown
Drinking this before work. My body and mind are at a low social level today, so I’m trying to drink some teas to get ready to head out at 1:00.
Notes: Nutty and reminds me of sweet potato chips. There’s a weird aftertaste that I can’t quite pinpoint.
Flavors: Nutty, Sweet Potatoes
Advent Backlog & Sipdown
As I top off the final dregs of this tea, I feel that it took too long to sip this down. Oolong typically doesn’t last long when I really like something, and while this was liked, I tossed it too far back in the sipdown pile. I think it was partially due to knowing I’m on a spending hold – to allow myself to drink down teas – and this was too good at the time of advent to top off.
I didn’t really get too many notes, but I will say it tastes milder than what I’d imagine a heavy roasted oolong should/would be. Maybe a misprint on the label?
Brewing parameters: 2.8g with a 40ml gaiwan. 208F water.
1st infusion – 10 seconds
2nd & 3rd infusions – 25 seconds
4th and 5th infusions – 1 minute
6th infusion – 3 minutes
