8th day of Vahdam black tea sampler

Day 8 with another disappointment! 2 in a row!

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Honestly, pretty underwhelming or "mid," as the kids might say. The experience, both in aroma and taste, was dominated by two notes: malt and bitterness.

That classic Assam maltiness was definitely there, no doubt about it. But it wasn't accompanied by much else. There was no complexity, no hidden sweetness, no interesting layers to uncover. Alongside the malt was a distinct bitterness. It wasn't overwhelmingly harsh, but it was prominent and, combined with the malt, made for a very one-dimensional cup.

It really just tasted like basic, strong, malty tea with a bitter edge. There was nothing particularly refined or special about it. It does what an Assam is expected to do in the most basic sense, but it didn't offer any real drinking pleasure or intrigue for me.

The second infusion was only done because I don't like to waste, and for tea leaves, that's one of the worst things I can say.