2355 Tasting Notes
Day 7 of the Dammann Freres Advent 2025.
Oolong Chataigne is an oolong flavoured with vanilla, chestnut, almond, and chocolate. The oolong is highly oxidised and so quite roasty, which conjures the impression of chestnuts quite well, and there’s also a soft creaminess from the vanilla that adds sweetness and really helps to round everything out. Almond and chocolate I do not get so much, except perhaps as a bare hint in the initial sip (almond) and aftertaste (chocolate). The chocolate I feel is more of a scent than a flavour here, but it’s quite delicious all the same
Day 6 of the Mariage Freres Advent 2025.
Polo Club Blue Sublime is an oolong tea, not usually my favourite but this one is so juicy and fruity it’s impossible not to like. The delicate strawberry-rhubarb flavours intertwine beautifully with the lightly vegetal, floral, and mineral notes of the oolong, and the whole thing is deliciously smooth and silky. Definitely one I’d have overlooked had it not been in the calendar.
This one does actually taste of gingerbread biscuits, which is a pleasant surprise. I just wish the black tea base was a bit maltier and more robust, because as it stands it’s quite thin-tasting and that’s the only thing that lets this one down. The flavouring is on point.
Trying a couple of the Twinings Christmas blends today. This one smells so delicious even through the wrapper, minty and creamy as the description promises. Once brewed, however, I find this to be mostly peppermint with just a hint of vanilla. Barely there, really. I was hoping this one would be at least similar to, if not better than, Buttermint but unfortunately it’s not. Nice enough, but not quite what I was hoping.
Getting a little further into the Christmas spirit this afternoon with Mince Pie Sticky Chai made into a latte.
This is my first time trying the Sticky Chai version, although I believe I’ve had the regular black tea blend before several years ago. The core flavour of sweet dried fruit is there, along with an extra hit of subtle chai spices. I’ve actually been pretty impressed so far with how realistic the flavours that are meant to emulate or “be” something are in this sticky chai range – first Chocolate Digestives and now Mince Pie. The only lack I’m feeling here is a pastry note, which this doesn’t really have, but as I’ve essentially drowned it in milk I wouldn’t really expect it to.
Really enjoyed this cozy cup this afternoon, and looking forward to lots more to come as we get closer to the big day!
Day 5 of the Dammann Freres Advent 2025.
Lucky Thyme is a rooibos-based herbal infusion with hawthorn and (you guessed it!) thyme. It’s very rounded and fragrant, with a fresh herbaceous flavour and prominent notes of olive oil. It’s definitely very unique; I certainly haven’t had a blend quite like this before. A nice change of pace for the afternoon.
Day 5 of the Mariage Freres Advent 2025.
Rouge Metis is a rooibos blend flavoured with red and black fruits and florals. The rooibos is delicately woody but not dry, and there’s an underlying jamminess reminiscent of winter berries – blackberry particularly. There’s a hint of floral, but nothing significant. A deliciously warming morning cup, and great with milk.
Gongfu! Morning tea session with a 2025 Red Loon mini from the Shulloween bag. I’ve been excited to try this one for a while! Leaves prepared with a 10s rinse, as usual, and then taken through steeps of 10s, 15s, 20s, 25s, 30s, 35s, 40s, and 50s.
This one has a fairly linear progression, but still impresses me as a clean, accessible, daily drinker. There’s nothing funky to taste at all, just delicately sweet, creamy, smooth shou, minimally earthy with subtle later notes of fig and dried date. The mouthfeel is slick and oily, and the liquor a beautiful red-garnet. I’m definitely going to try this one grandpa-style next, as I think it’ll work really well like that. Overall, delicious. Really pleased with this one.
Day 4 of the Dammann Freres Advent 2025
Noel a Venise is a black tea flavoured with lemon and lime essential oils and caramel toffee and vanilla flavouring. To me it tastes just like lemon meringue pie, right down to the butteriness of the crust. Bright sharp lemon in the initial sip, settling down into a soft lemon cream, and rounding out with butter pastry and sweet, fluffy meringue. Delicious! If this is what Christmas in Venice tastes like then I want to go there!
