Adagio Custom Blends, Max Sturtevant

Hmmmm…not what I was hoping for as I entered in this tea’s information to the database. It’s not a BAD tea, but I’m not really picking up on much more than the standard black tea, other than a hint of chocolate and some bergamot as well. Not bad, but not as good as some of the other Kingsman teas from Adagio.

Accidentally oversteeped this one a bit – got distracted finishing up my “chai” review from last night – and I’m hoping it doesn’t bring in too many tannic notes due to the assam.

This definitely has the smoke I was lacking in my last cup. The assam/ceylon provides a bit of body in behind the lapsang souchong so that it fills your mouth and leaves the smoke as a lingering flavor at the back of your palate.

It’s like it took my breakfast tea and waved it over a peat fire to warm it up…I’m really into this. I can’t help but think a little milk might help to balance it, so in the name of science, I’m going to go experiment.

I wasn’t sure how it was going to work out, but milk really does something to this tea that I find quite pleasant – it mellows it out further so you can pick up the rounded notes of the black teas without dulling down the smoky bits at the end.

This…may not be a daily drinker, but it might’ve just earned a place in my cabinet.

Brewed this up as part of my “introduction to tea” for a friend of mine.

Brews up light amber, smells delightfully warm and peppery. There’s a gentle spice to it that seems to come along with some smoky notes. It’s interesting – like a sweeter lapsang souchong.