TD33 Thurbo Estate FTGFOP1 Cl. 2nd Flush (DJ-148)

Tea #42 from Another Traveling Tea Box
This darjeeling is much less floral than the 1st flush darjeeling I had last night. The flavor comes across much stronger and it has a subtle sweetness that is somewhat fruity that I notice at the end of each sip.

This was another enjoyable darjeeling, although not one I would likely order for myself.

Tea #43 from Another Traveling Tea Box

Mmm, muscatel.

Rich, with notes of sweet fruit and (obviously) muscatel grapes at the end of the sip. A really nice Darjeeling. Smooth and satisfying.

Tea #4 From Another TTB

With the help of this tea box and a swap from Moraiwe I was able to compare 5 different darjeelings together.

I’ve had one darjeeling before this (Makaibari Darjeeling from Della Terra) as well as the oolong variant “Oooh Darjeeling” from Butiki. I did not particularly care for either of those, but I wanted to give Darjeelings a fair chance. I think I can safely say now, that I am not a darjeeling person. Makes sense though as Im not much of a wine person, so why should I like the “fine wine” of teas? :p

This particular darjeeling is the most similar of the five to the one I’ve had before. It’s a heavy, overwhelming flavor, muscatel, apparently. I think of it like the same heavy honey flavor in some dark oolongs. Why this flavor becomes “muscatel” in a darjeeling is beyond me. I can’t tell the difference. It hits my stomach like a brick and leaves me feeling momentarily unwell. Fortunately, the feeling doesn’t last long after I stop drinking.

Have been doing thunderdome rounds between 2 Uptons at a time. Drank this yesterday afternoon when Steepster was down, comparing it to Upton’s other Thurbo 2nd flush (DJ-246/TD73). And I was doing a darjeeling-a-thon the whole day; earlier I’d compared two Thurbo 1st flushes and then moved on to the Margaret’s Hopes.

Dry these have a greener, grassier aroma than the 1st flushes. Brewed, a darker, pretty reddish brown in the cup. The aroma of this 2nd flush is stronger than DJ-246/TD73’s, which is delicate. Now there’s that muscatel note, which is to be predicted, though it’s not overpowering at all.

DJ-246/TD73 is the winner all-around for the 4 Thurbos I tried today, followed by the two 1st flushes, and then this one, DJ-148/TD33. I would happily reorder DJ-246/TD73, and the 1st flushes are nice so maybe I’d reorder them at some point, maybe not.

Fascinatingly enough, when I go back to look at Upton’s catalog links for these teas I discover my preferences here are exactly in line with price points—my 2 top favorites were $4.50 a sample, my middle favorite was $4, and my least favorite (this one, alas) was $2 and described as “a great value”. My 2 top faves were described as some of the finest teas the staff tried those seasons. I guess my tastes aren’t always that unorthodox, ha.