Andrews & Dunham Damn Fine Tea

I tried this tea for the first time this morning and it made me wish for a bigger travel mug! Fortunately, I have already ordered a bigger travel mug and will therefore soon have a bigger travel mug. As for the tea, I do love me some oolong and I quite enjoyed the magnolia blossom scentedness of this one. I’m a big jasmine fan, but this was rather nice in a floral-scented-but-not-jasmine sort of way. The tea wasn’t terribly dark after steeping for five minutes, so I’ll be sure to experiment with a longer steep in the future. I’m looking forward to resteeping when I get back home.

This tea really hit the spot for me today, snowed in as I am. I’m generally not one for abstract analysis of the imagery-type variety, but today this tea seems like a perfect reflection of the snow-and-ice-covered world outside: bold and interesting, yet smooth and quiet at the same time. It’s tough to nail down a perfect description though…it’s not smoky like A&D’s Carävan, but there’s maybe a suggestion of it in there somewhere along with a hint of sweetness. I might describe it differently tomorrow, but I do say that it’s quite good and I quite like it.

I bumped my rating a couple notches as I think this brewed a bit better today. I recommend steeping less than the five minutes recommended by A&D. Generally I prefer my teas to be on the strong side, but I thought this one was smoother and had a better proportioned (I’m not entirely sure what I mean by this, but I’m standing by it) flavor after steeping for only four minutes.

This is a good Earl Grey. There’s no skimping on the bergamot, as a single smell or sip will tell you. It’s the best Earl Grey currently in my stash, if not the best I’ve ever had…quite good, though.

I’m a big fan of jasmines and this one isn’t letting me down. A&D definitely didn’t skimp in the jasmine department, as this one packs a potent punch. I can see this one being one that I vary the strength of day to day depending on my mood. I think next time I’m going to see what 2:30 tastes like. It seems like it’ll hold up well for another couple steepings (if I can find the time today…) so I’m looking forward to experimenting with strength there as well. I’m on the fence between 175° and 180°; I’ve tried both but have yet to come to any conclusions.

I don’t typically partake of smoky black teas very often, but I can’t really think of a good reason why. This tea will probably change that a bit…I wasn’t sure how much I would like it from the scent and the first sip or two, but it grew on me pretty quickly. I’m looking forward to a second steeping when I get back home, and will probably experiment with trying it a little stronger in the future (not to say that it’s lacking in that area at four minutes). Smoky and a little sweet, I’m a fan.

As the holidays have mostly left us and we are welcoming significantly warmer temperatures, and longer and sunnier days here in NJ, I thought I would take a stroll back with this tea.

This is still wonderful! Brewed hot, four minutes, no additives. There is the same lovely flavor I remember – richness, almost-spice, tea flavor, smokey sweet. Absolutely delicious.

As a side note, I came on here to rate a pile of teas I got and tried this weekend. Unfortunately, it looks like none of them (or the first three I checked for) are not on here yet. I will rectify this this afternoon. Until then, enjoy!

Drinking this again this morning. It snowed last night, a lot, and I knew I had to trudge into work eventually and I could think of no better companion than this.

There is a richness to it, a slight almost spice, though there is no spice, there is a strong black flavor without bitterness or astringency, and a hint of smoke (and you know I love my smoky teas) not enough to turn anyone off of it, followed by the slightest hint of sweetness just the right amount to get me through the snow.

Brewed the same as before, 1 heaping scoop, hot, four minutes, no additives. I think this would be wonderful with a second steep or some additives (I am thinking half and half or some light cream) would really take this to the next level.

Instead of my original plan of just dusting over why I have not posted in so long, let me be completely honest. A lot has changed in my life, and while I could come up with excuses and reasons to tell you, they don’t matter. What matters is that I essentially had lost my way and stopped enjoying the teas I was drinking, it was becoming a game, something to rate and critique to add to my personal list. I had lost the passion and appreciation for the tea that had brought me to this site in the first place.

I plan to not do that anymore. I want to slow down and actually enjoy the tea and really experience it instead of just ranking at rating it. I have had many teas in the break, I will go back and experience what I can and rate them appropriately, because I do love doing this, but I had been doing it for the wrong reasons, I am sorry and I plan to rectify this.

Whew – now that that is out of the way, I want to say this tea is delicious. Infused hot, no additives, four minutes. Sipped as it cooled there is a delicious black tea flavor in this, it is clean and bright and crisp without being astringent or bitter. The aroma of both the dried leaves and the brewed tea is fantastic, captivating and intriguing. I will be drinking this more often. Thank you for bringing me back.

Thanks to Ricky, I now possess a tea by A&D! I’ve been meaning to try their teas for quite some time. I really enjoy this one- it’s a full, rich and dark black blend. Lots of Yunnan flavor, maybe a hint of smokiness. Maybe a touch of Keemun? It also has a subtle sweetness lurking in there. This tea is so rich and smooth, very comforting!! Especially on this frigid day. I don’t usually like to add milk to my teas, but I bet this one would do well with it. I think I’ll try doing that with the next cup! I wish I could cozy up under a blanket with this one!

what a beauty. i am smitter with fragrant teas and this one is beautiful. It is scented with Magnolia of all things and having tried a per-uh with the same proclaimed scent, i was a bit fearful. i was overcome. The scent lingers for hours… if you can let tea set for hours… and i can when on watch but then i drink tea cold too. at any rate, i haven’t tried a re-steep to see how far the frangrance lasts but it is pleasing and pronounced. i don’t think it tastes perfumey but it teeters on the edge and that is why i think a re-steep might fair better. No matter, this is yet another enjoyable tea!

Love this! This tea has been a recent companion to my watch standing and post watch breakfasts! It has a wonderful flavor and goes delightfully with milk. i honestly had to order a second set, not just for the cool tattoos, but because there just wasn’t enough of this sea going mate in one can for an ol’ salt like me!
This is a must try and re-try for anybody and everybody who simply wants a good cup of tea. :)

1.5 tsp for 300mL water @85C, steeped five minutes, drunk bare.

I know, 5 minutes is long for oolong, but it works.

After a heavy supper, my body cried out for oolong. This is floral and crisp, with an exceptionally clean mineral finish. One of my favourite oolongs ever.

4 tsp TB for 750mL of tea, Breville One Touch, 3-minute steep, basket setting on, oolong setting.

Exquisite. I’ve not gotten the water right for this tea before. It is sweet and medium-bodied, heady but not suffocating with magnolia, slight atringency like white wine, and a sweet finish with a some creaminess. With the water at the right temp, there’s no bitterness.

Rating: 98.

1 TB for 450mL water, bare.

Cool enough water and a 5-minute steep bring out excellent nuances, without soapiness or bitterness. This oolong demands good treatment, better than I can generally give it with my basic kettle. (Oh, for a Breville!) But once I get the water right, this is a very fine, very refreshing gentle ooling. Not too buttery, and not too vegetal. The magnolia scent beckons but doe not batter. Mmmm.