I was very excited to try this tea. This is my first time tasting an oolong that was grown and processed (or “perfected” as GTT's website says) in Darjeeling. The leaves are mostly ebony in colour – there is no question that this is a heavily roasted oolong. The majority are whole and loosely twisted, bearing a sweet and lightly fruity smell.

I followed GTT's brewing instructions, infusing a heaping teaspoonful of leaves in 8 ounces of freshly boiled water for 3 and a half minutes. The resulting cup displays a bright coppery brown hue and a slightly malty aroma. Taking a sip, the slightly tannic top notes are definitely all Darjeeling. What follows is very sweet and fruity, with a creamy, decadent mouth feel. If there was such a thing as “raisin-malt-berry”, this tea would epitomize it. At the same time it's light and airy, especially as it cools. It's very tasty and unlike any other oolong I've had.

I infused the leaves again for 5 minutes. The feel is a little more drying and tannic than the previous cup. The astringency is nicely balanced by the smooth cinnamon and malt notes, as well as by the honeyed finish It's quite satisfying, especially for a second cup.

I steeped the tea for a final, third round for 7 minutes. The tea is now flat and bland. While it's not unpleasantly astringent or bitter in any way, it's lost most of it's flavour. Two delicious cups still make for a good showing in my books.

This tea has lots of complexity to it and is deliciously easy to drink. However I found these leaves to be closer to a fruity black tea than an oolong, as it's lacking any noticeable floral or vegetal flavours. The slightly drying tannic top notes are really unique as well. Oolong has been perfected indeed! Highly recommended.

— To purchase Golden Tips Tea Darjeeling Oolong, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular tea, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.

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