Ceylon Dayagama Estate ~ TranquiliTea

Before i began writing reviews for Ceylon Week, I was sure i had at least one example from all six growing regions. Turns out i’m missing Dimbulla. Here’s why: when I bought Ceylon Dayagama Estate (FBOP) the label stated it was from Dimbulla. It’s not (and it wasn’t TranquiliTea’s fault necessarily: their vendor just hadn’t done their homework). Perhaps in style Ceylong Dayagama Estate BFOP is closer to being a Dimbulla than a Nuwara Eliya, but geographically, it’s clear from the map that Dayagama Estate is within the district of Nuwara Eliya. To rectify this problem I ordered an expedited shipment with a Dimbulla BOP from Upton at the last minute. We’ll have to cross our fingers and see if it arrives in time for Ceylon Week.

All that being said, Ceylon Dayagama Estate (sounds Japanese?) has both an enticing warm orange liquor and an inviting full, rich apricot-like zesty aroma (not unlike a Darjeeling). I know if i could just smell this tea all day long I’d be obscenely happy. Flavorwise, Ceylon Dayagama Estate isn’t quite as impressive, but i don’t think i would call it dull (hence the FBOP).  Rather its flavor pallette is just narrower? A definite smokiness underlies a fruitier Black–Ceylon Dayagama Estate tastes very similar to a Darjeeling FTGFOP, but i wouldn’t call it Tippy. It has a low-medium grit with probably more thirst quenching ability than most of the other Ceylon I’ve reviewed this week. Although Ceylon doesn’t have distinct “1st flush/2nd flush” differential, if it did Ceylon Dayagama Estate would be the quintessential Ceylon 1st Flush.

1. Aroma – 96
2. Taste – 93
3. Texture – 93
4. Spunk – 94
5. Price – 92
6. Availability – 97
7. Appearance – 93

Mean score – 94%

Quite the nice surprise all around.