Ringtong Classic Muscatel – Second Flush – 2023 (SFTGFOP-1 Chinary Musk)

Description

Ringtong Classic Muscatel as the name suggests is a classic example of muscatel. It comes from the farms of Ringtong Tea Estate. Ringtong Tea Estate has the maximum quantum of flora and fauna among all the Darjeeling Gardens. The garden was closed for 18 long years due to administrative problems and was re-opened in the year 2014. It was the love and passion of Mr. Sanjay Choudhary who is a 3^rd generation tea planter that he took the impossible task of restarting this garden which was an uphill battle but with his hard work and support of the garden workers they managed to not only restart the garden but today we can say that some of the finest teas of Darjeeling are being produced in Ringtong Tea Estate.

The soil and altitude of this garden are most suited for delivering the best Darjeeling Teas and the plantation mainly consists of chinary bushes which is an additional benefit. It is located besides Margarets Hope Tea Garden and this 350 hectare garden has a voice of its own.

This year we tasted some of the finest spring teas from this garden. Where most gardens were struggling to make acceptable quality, Ringtong made a consistent good quality which were loved and appreciated by our buyers.

The dry leaves are in shades of reddish coppery black. The aroma is sweet and floral. It has a strong peachy aroma which is combined with the roasted almond like aroma. The overall aroma is pleasant and very tempting. As soon as we see the dry leaves which are well rolled and the color and aroma, we are sure that this tea is a treat for the palate. When brewed for 5 minutes, we get an amber golden liquor which has its own unique aroma. It has an orange citrus aroma and has a pleasant musky whiff. The taste is equally good. The aroma hits your nostrils well before sipping and the sip is appealing. We can feel layers of flavors which are delicately stored in the tea. We get a prominent fruity taste which makes a layer on our palate and this is topped by a roasted almond taste. The aftertaste is prominent and strong.

Overall this is a very special tea and it has a spark to it. The flavors are unique and have their own way of making you addicted to this tea and the garden. We will only say that every tea lover will love this addiction.

• DRY LEAVES: Fine rolled wiry reddish coppery black leaves with a floral peachy aroma.
• LIQUOR: Bright golden amber liquid with a flavorful aroma.
• INFUSION: Bright Coppery leaves with musky aroma.

STEEPING INSTRUCTIONS:

Fresh water brought to 1^st Boil (95C). Add 1 tea spoonful (2 grams) per cup of 150ml. Steep for 5 minutes. Strain to cup and sip as it cools. Second and third steep gives best result when steeped for full 5 minutes.