Review topics: [taste, quality, body, tea, aftertaste, tgy, brew, oolong, notes, roast, steeps, quantities].
Reviews
Charcoal and Lemon
"(Spring 2025) Quite pleasant! The aroma from the dry leaves and the lid is almost 100% charcoal, but the actual tea itself is more interesting. The first flavor I got was actually citrus (kind of in the orange ballpark), followed by the charcoal taste opening up and dominating the middle and latter steeps, though with a consistent lemony aftertaste to spice things up. Excellent cha qi, and the persistent aftertaste is a very strong lemon. I've only had a few oolongs before this, and I don't think this one will be a daily drinker for me, but I'll definitely reach for it again."
— Tori E. (5/5)
I was a bit let
"I was a bit let down by the steeping stamina on this one, about three flushes and it was spent. Flavor wise it was decent."
— Margaret L. (2/5)
"Ordered was shipped and received very quickly. Im enjoying the tea and i will be back for more."
— Ken (5/5)
Interesting experience - try it!
"After trying 5+ oolongs from YS, but never a Tie Guan Yin and after drinking lapsang souchong and being a fan of, I was looking for an oolong closer to red tea with a smoky aroma. Here we are - though the level of smokiness I was expecting, is way far from a lapsang souchong. (let's say 15%, but that's okay). It has more of those vibes where you are visiting an old traditional village, burning wood smell, very well balanced in terms of taste, quite thick for an oolong, with sweet aftertaste, a bit floral, a bit nutty, nougat, zero astringency, dry mouth effect starting 2d steep (90 C, 25 seconds). Compared to "classic oolong aromas" - I'd say it's quite in its own area. You get just half of aromas you expect from general oolongs, and then you get a more masculine side, which is what you would expect in the end. Not a summer tea, not an everyday tea, but has a good place in my 50+ tea collection, especially given I'm not a oolong person, but more of a ripe pu'er one. Went well the first 4 steeps, then it started to become bitter, so I went with 80 C for 2 more rounds. Nice overall body sensation. It comes in a sealed red bag, the same as the Hairy Crab Oolong from YS (which is also decent for half the price, but I like this one way more). The charcoal aroma itself may go unnoticed, if you don't read it on the package."
— Andrei (5/5)
Great service-great teas!
"Received in perfect condition, great packaging and all the teas are superb!"
— James P. (5/5)
Well balanced smokey flavour
"Good flavour, not too strong of a smokey taste but just enough. I got 4 good brewings out of it, of course this is my own preference. A friend who I gave some to try got 6."
— Jorn S. (5/5)
On a stormy morning
"Sitting inside during my hour for tea and prayer and meditation on a stormy morning, looking out the window, watching the trees swaying in the wind and rain outside, tasting the deep roasted warmth of this tea. Perfect."
— Aryae C. (5/5)
Really good
"One of my favorites. I've bought it multiple times"
— Russell L. (5/5)
too smokey
"Unfortunately I didn't really like this tea: to me the aroma and flavour really reminds me of tobacco and this taste cover the underlining echos of the characteristic nut and chocolate flavours that I've tasted from other tgy."
— Lorenzo F. (3/5)
Good, not sure if great
"This is what I was looking for in a roasted TGY in terms of aroma and mouthfeel. I want to drink it a bit more, especially after the recommended 6 months, to develop my view more, but based on two tastings so far I would say it is good but lacking in 'special sauce'. Also, I don't believe I got 10 steeps out of it last time, but I will try again. I would recommend ordering a smaller quantity before ordering a larger amount."
— Nico D. (4/5)
