Thursday, December 11, 2014

Tea Review: Lapsang Souchong Special (Unsmoked) (Phoenix Tea)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 12

Lapsang Souchong Special (Unsmoked)
Phoenix Tea
Type: Flavored Black
Origin: China, Fujian Province, Wuyishan
Product Description:  Lapsang Souchong, minus the smokiness. Brews up smooth; with a familiar small-leaf China black tea character, plus notes of tree nut and (to at least one of us) Speyside Scotch whisky.

Temperature: 208° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of seasoned wood and something savory and salty that reminds me of soy sauce.

The infusion is red-orange with an aroma of seasoned wood, salty bouillon, spicy red pepper and malt.  The taste is tangy though only mildly astringent with a touch of malt and wood notes like it has been stored in a wooden container.  

This tea has a fascinating aroma in dry leaf and infused leaf and I was almost reluctant to take my nose away from the cup long enough to drink.  The first steeping had the most complexity, though a second steeping still provided a cup with character.

This tea was purchased by me.




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