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This is my first time ever trying the exalted Golden Fleece I’ve heard so much about. First of all, the dry leaf! It might be the most beautiful that I’ve ever seen. With hues of bronze, orange, and gold, there pekoe all over each long, twisty, unbroken piece. The smell from the bag is heavenly- spicy sweet malty goodness.

I must say the liquor is totally different from most teas also- it looks almost earthy olive-brown in my white cup. There is the slightest film at the top in the teapot because I didn’t rinse the leaves, but the tea itself is clear. It smells of honey and spice. Maybe cinnamon and pepper- but as odd as it sounds, it works.

And now for the taste. I’ve never had a tea before that is both so sweet and savory. It is a contradiction across the palate. At first I get a burst of sweet honey maltiness that is notably smooth on the tongue. There is a hint of sweet potato, but not that brown sugar cooked version- more like the raw potato that is starchy and vaguely sweet when you cut it. This is followed by (and I kid you not) a strong and savory taste of mushrooms that may have been cooked on a cedar plank or something similar and woody. The mouthfeel is very thick and almost like it coats my teeth when I swirl it in my mouth. I’ve never had a tea like this before and has truly been a one-of-a-kind experience this morning! It tastes like the winter woods. I don’t think a wild mushroom wood honey tea would normally be my thing, but it is so different that I find myself surprised with every sip. As far as I know, this is the Autumn harvest- sound right? Now I want to try the Spring harvest next- or whichever one was totally different from this harvest as compared to previous reviews. TGIF!