I like that this one has a bit of an edge to it… Matches my mood this week. Coming back to work from a 2-week vacation is the worst thing ever, especially if your job is in customer service, which mine is…
I will preface this note by saying that I heated my water in the microwave because that is my only option at work, besides using the Keurig, which is even more abominable in my books. So the flavor profile of this cuppa is probably off, due to my improperly heated water of indeterminate temp. And use of a stoneware mug that was merely rinsed after I used it to drink instant coffee with sugar. I also oversteeped it, to add insult to injury, so I can taste paper from the bag.
I taste something else that is pleasantly sour, like a faint hint of genuine, unsweetened lemon. Also nutty notes and the smell of wet, decaying maple leaves. Lots of earthiness. Calls to mind the rainy, gray hills of Ireland for sure. It has a bite of astringency in the aftertaste.
Despite all of its handicaps, it still proves to be a hearty, uplifting, fairly tasty experience. Not bad as a bagged cuppa, but I bet the loose version is even better with properly boiled water in a fine china cup.
Flavors: Lemon, Nutty, Pleasantly Sour, Wet Earth
