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“Okay haters. Maybe this tea has wandered into the wrong cups before, but not this time. Though the aroma, equally malty as smoky, had me in suspense for a moment, the steep makes up for it. Too...” Read full tasting note
“The smoothest tea I’ve ever had. Slight smoke, malty tea.” Read full tasting note
“Unpleasant taste, the flavoring is overwhelming.” Read full tasting note
Japanese whisky has grown in popularity, so we were excited when this tea was offered to us. As whisky fans, we couldn’t resist it! Japanese Whisky is a rare tea that comes to us from Shizuoka prefecture in Japan. It’s made using the same cultivar as most Senchas, Yabukita. During its extensive processing, it is finished with an 8 hour smoking over wood chips made from Japanese whisky barrels.
Details: A unique, smoked black tea from Japan.
Dry Leaves: Medium sized, black twists
Liquor: Oak brown
Aroma: Heated peat, honey
Caffeine Level: Caffeinated
Body: Medium-bodied
Flavors: Mild peat notes and sweet honey undertones
Brewing Time: 5
Brewing Temp: 212º
https://www.harney.com/products/japanese-whisky
Since 1983 Harney & Sons has been the source for fine teas. We travel the globe to find the best teas and accept only the exceptional. We put our years of experience to work to bring you the best Single-Estate teas, and blends beyond compare.
Okay haters.
Maybe this tea has wandered into the wrong cups before, but not this time. Though the aroma, equally malty as smoky, had me in suspense for a moment, the steep makes up for it. Too many bourbon barrel-aged stouts gave me a different expectation- is the whisky in the room with us now? What I got is, I think, much better. This is essentially a down-to-earth smoked lapsang souchong with a wholesome (oaky?) richly smoked profile talked down by honey and the maltiness of the black tea underneath. Though I often like my smoked teas stronger and more monstrous, I was really pleased with this one and the smoke evades that chemical taste so often found in lapsang souchongs (which I admit I love).
Though whisky is not one of the prevailing flavors here, this tea still gave me ideas. To complement the warm smoke filling my nostrils, a few dashes of angostura bitters were an eager accompaniment to add a faintly spicy undertone, and I think this might be the way to go.
Flavors: Campfire, Honey, Oak, Smoke
I haven’t tried this one. I meant to but samples were consistently sold out when I was checking, and I was so disappointed that Black Cask Bourbon just tastes like a plain lapsang to me that I didn’t pursue it. I am glad you enjoyed it!