Selimbong FTGFOP1 Spring Spl (CL) (DJ 23) First Flush 2024

About this Selimbong Tea

This year, our tea tasting sessions were more extensive than ever before. We delved into samples from numerous Darjeeling estates, each with its own unique character. With 87 tea gardens in the region, an exhaustive tasting could easily become a never-ending journey. Each estate boasts a multitude of grades and varieties, further distinguished by specific invoices and lots. While we encountered some good and some merely decent teas, our focus was on seeking out the absolute best. And for the first time, Selimbong Tea Garden truly left us speechless. Their First Flush Darjeeling was a revelation, a stunning example of the artistry and potential within the region. It’s a tea that will stay with us long after the last sip. What a beautiful Selimbong Tea!

The very first impression of this exquisite First Flush clonal tea is a visual delight. The magnificent leaf appearance, a testament to the utmost care taken in its manufacture, immediately draws you in. The elongated, well-rolled leaves boast a mesmerizing greenish hue, a beautiful blend of light and bottle green. This bottle green, which might appear black at a distance, reveals upon closer inspection a captivating interplay of chocolate brown and emerald green. Further enhancing its visual appeal are the abundant elongated silver tips and buds, accompanied by a sprinkling of some golden ones. Most of the Selimbong Spring Special leaves seem adorned in a delicate white furry coat, adding a touch of luster and bloom to the overall aesthetic.

The aroma is equally captivating, a sweet fragrance mingled with a hint of cake-like, pastry notes. A subtle caramelized character adds depth, while a nutty finish rounds out the experience. The floral notes are fresh and evocative of wildflowers, while a hint of fruitiness, reminiscent of freshly cut apples, adds a touch of vibrancy. This exquisite tea promises a truly multi-sensory experience, a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship that went into its creation.

This tea offers a lively greenish infusion interspersed with shades of pale yellow, creating a visually captivating experience. The pale yellow hues predominantly come from the buds, which shimmer due to the wet silver hairs covering them, contributing to the tea’s bright appearance and hinting at its superior liquor quality. The aroma is fresh and sweetly floral, with a slight vegetal note that complements a mild, vanilla-like essence. As you take in its fragrance, you might also detect a subtle pastry-like aroma, reminiscent of freshly baked goods mingled with the fruity scent of fresh apples. Additionally, there is a hint of nuttiness, which is subtly blended with a very mild spiciness, adding depth and complexity to the overall sensory experience.

Clonals, particularly during the tea season, tend to brew a lighter cup compared to their china counterparts. While they are typically larger in size than china teas, even smaller clonal leaves can produce a surprisingly strong brew, upholding the adage that smaller leaves often yield a more intense cup.

This Selimbong tea, a prime example, boasts a captivating aroma reminiscent of honey and jaggery, hinting at its bright and flavorful nature. The liquor itself is smooth and complex, offering desirable floral notes alongside a subtle, pleasant biscuity undertone. The taste is lively and brisk, sparkling and bursting on the palate with an invigorating character. Sweetness reminiscent of vanilla and floral notes dances alongside hints of fruit and almond, leaving behind a very mild astringency and a lingering sweet aftertaste on the tip of the tongue.

We are proud to present this exceptional tea, crafted from the finest first pluckings of the 2024 First Flush season. Made exclusively from high-quality pure AV2 clonal tea bushes, this tea carries the distinguished invoice mark DJ-23. We highly recommend you try Selimbong Tea, as it represents one of the finest First Flush Darjeelings available. Indulge in its exquisite flavors and experience the craftsmanship that goes into every cup.