Recommended
From the Here’s Hoping TTB
This was a very interesting tea. I was initially put off by the strong roasted aroma, but the taste was an unusual balance between the heavy roast (not nearly as strong in the taste as in the nose) and a sweet maple flavor. The light, sweet, maple flavor rode over a heavy dark roast, and the contrast was very interesting.
I brewed it using gong-fu style, which was a mistake, since the maple faded faster than the roast. Surprisingly, this didn’t seriously affect my enjoyment of the tea. It subtly changed to a more tobacco flavor over the course of about 3 steeps, but maintained the same character of a light flavor riding over a heavy one. I liked it so much that I’m keeping the last 7 grams, so I can try it western style.
I’m glad to see you enjoyed this one! I have been eager to hear other people’s opinions. I also did gong fu style the first time and have enjoyed it mostly western style and, sometimes, grandpa style since then.