80

234/265

Continuing the Scottish theme! I usually try and stop drinking black teas around 7pm, but it’s light so late here that I’m finding that time creeping backwards. It was still light at 11.20pm last night, and I’m finding I’m tempted to drink black tea as late as 10pm as a consequence. It just doesn’t feel like bedtime! Of course I’m going to blame the long daylight hours, though. What else could it be?

Anyway, this is another black breakfast-style tea. It doesn’t say exactly what the blend is, but I’m willing to bet it includes Assam, Darjeeling, and possibly (probably) Ceylon also. It’s malty, for sure, and fairly hearty, but it has a floral-ish background flavour and a hint of something that reminds me of whisky. Maybe oak? Peat? Something resonant and “heavy” tasting – deep, dark, and a nice contrast with the sweet, malty backbone of this blend.

It’s a pleasing breakfast tea, a little different from the usual run of things. I’d buy it again if I ever came across it, although I think things at Jenier have changed a bit since I last ordered from them. It does make me wonder how old some of the teas from my Varieteas box are, although they’re mostly all foil-sealed so I’m not too worried.

This one was a good one, and would be just the thing on a cold winter night. Particularly if you were sitting by a log fire…

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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Bio

Hi :) I’m Sarah, and I live in Norfolk in the UK. My tea obsession began when a friend introduced me to Teapigs a good few years ago now. Since then, I’ve been insatiable. Steepster introduced me to a world of tea I never knew existed, and my goal is now to TRY ALL THE TEAS. Or most of them, anyway.

I still have a deep rooted (and probably life-long) preference for black tea. My all-time favourite is Assam, but Ceylon and Darjeeling also occupy a place in my heart. Flavoured black tea can be a beautiful thing, and I like a good chai latte in the winter.

I also drink a lot of rooibos/honeybush tea, particularly on an evening. Sometimes they’re the best dessert replacements, too. White teas are a staple in summer — their lightness and delicate nature is something I can always appreciate on a hot day.

I’m still warming up to green teas and oolongs. I don’t think they’ll ever be my favourites, with a few rare exceptions, but I don’t hate them anymore. My experience of these teas is still very much a work-in-progress. I’m also beginning to explore pu’erh, both ripened and raw. That’s my latest challenge!

I’m still searching for the perfect fruit tea. One without hibiscus. That actually tastes of fruit.

You’ve probably had enough of me now, so I’m going to shut up. Needless to say, though, I really love tea. Long may the journey continue!

My rating system:

91-100: The Holy Grail. Flawless teas I will never forget.

81-90: Outstanding. Pretty much perfection, and happiness in a cup.

71-80: Amazing. A tea to savour, and one I’ll keep coming back to.

61-70: Very good. The majority of things are as they should be. A pleasing cup.

51-60: Good. Not outstanding, but has merit.

41-50: Average. It’s not horrible, but I’ve definitely had better. There’s probably still something about it I’m not keen on.

31-40: Almost enjoyable, but something about it is not for me.

11-30: Pretty bad. It probably makes me screw my face up when I take a sip, but it’s not completely undrinkable.

0-10: Ugh. No. Never again. To me, undrinkable.

Location

Norfolk, UK

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