Review: Drink the Leaf Organic Selimbong Estate FTGFOP1 2nd Flush

Jan 02

Review: Drink the Leaf Organic Selimbong Estate FTGFOP1 2nd Flush

Vanessa’s Teaview Snapshot

"The flavor resembled what a pack of cigarettes smelled like, and there was a very subtle smoky character to this tea. I suppose if you enjoy chewing tobacco, then you might enjoy this tea."

Vanessa’s Teaview:	5/10
Other Teaviews:	Troy gave it 9/10
Your Reviews:	Add your review »

Drink the Leaf describes their Organic Selimbong Estate FTGFOP1 2nd Flush as such: "This organic Darjeeling has aromas of honey and roasted chestnuts that follow through to unique flavors intermingling of tobacco and muscatel grapes. A strong finish- nice everyday Darjeeling tea". I have to say that I largely disagree with their evaluation. First, I detected no such aroma of honey and chestnuts; instead, for me the overwhelming aroma was rather unpleasant- like dirt and damp leaf litter, with perhaps just a hint of honey sweetness. I definitely did not detect any chestnut aroma to this tea. Unfortunately, I found the flavor of this tea to be along the same lines of the aroma. If I said I enjoyed this tea, I would be lying. As with the aroma, I found dirt, stale, and oh-too-earthy flavors to dominate. The dirt element doesn't quite compare to the characteristic dirt/earth flavors of a Pu-erh tea, but even it muted form, I found the dirt essence off-putting. I do agree with Drink the Leaf's reference to tobacco flavor; the flavor resembled what a pack of cigarettes smelled like, and there was a very subtle smoky character to this tea. I suppose if you enjoy chewing tobacco, then you might enjoy this tea. For me, however, this was probably one of the least appealing second flush Darjeelings that I have sampled. I do not intend to be overly harsh in my review, because when push comes to shove, I don't think that this tea is downright undrinkable, and nor is it of low quality. While it's just not my proverbial cup of tea, this earthy Darjeeling might just make someone else's day.

— To purchase Drink the Leaf Organic Selimbong Estate FTGFOP1 2nd Flush, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular blend, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.