Nepal Sakhira Estate 1st Flush ~ Simpson & Vail

It’s been a few months since I wrote on the Simpson & Vail Incursion, but as you can see from the reviews I’ve pulled together so far, their teas haven’t failed to impress (I especially liked Emerald Green Tea Organic 1st Flush). As such, I’ve been excited to try the other Nepal tea I’d procured from S&V: Sakhira Estate 1st Flush.

As you probably know by now Nepal is home some of the most amazing high grown Black and Green teas. Rated at SFTGFOP1 Tippy and with an abundance of Green in the loose leaf mix, Sakhira Estate 1st Flush definitely caught my eye.

In aroma, Sakhira Estate 1st Flush is a bit odd. It’s definitely a Tippy Black and perhaps a tad muscatel with a grainy note. Yet, there doesn’t seem to be any noticeable malt, spicy, woodsiness or fruit. In coloration, Sakhira Estate 1st Flush cups to a show stopping yellow-gold, also reminiscent of wheat. In flavor Sakhira Estate 1st Flush really struts its stuff: a mellow Tippy citral with a hops-like aftertaste. In texture Sakhira Estate 1st Flush is equally impressive: veiny and rich with the expected amount of Tippy fur bouncing off the roof of the mouth pleasantly. I have no doubt that the aforementioned “SFTGFOP1 Tippy” rating is right on the money. Would steep again. xD

In reviewing my lab shots for Sakhira Estate 1st Flush my socks were about knocked off by how gorgeous its loose leaves are. ;) Check out the images below: I’m particularly proud of the spent leaves shot from inside the infuser basket (I’m have no idea how i pulled this off, please don’t expect it to be a daily feature ^^;;).

I was on the verge of saving the remainder of the loose leaf for later enjoyment, but realistically i know i’d never get back to it before it died. Don’t follow my example; tea doesn’t come that cheap. ^^;; My method for steeping a tea once or twice and tossing it is really only useful for my blogging (and pursuing the crazy challenge of sampling as many of the world’s ~20,000 teas as i can before i die).

1. Aroma – 94
2. Taste – 95
3. Texture – 93
4. Spunk – 94
5. Price – 90 (way under priced; i’m not sure how S&V can afford to sell it so low)
6. Availability – 93
7. Appearance – 97

Mean score – Rounds up to 94%

All around, a simply stellar tea.