Adagio Maestro TKY

[Victoria]

- Adagio Maestro Collection Fijian Ti Kuan Yin -

I am having this for the first time today. The official release has not happened yet, but it is available in the pre-release sample set found here:
http://www.adagio.com/maestro/index.htm ... 5af8ba3899

The idea behind these special edition teas is to give tea enthusiasts access to step up to finer quality single estate teas. And in this case the difference is obvious. I have been drinking the regular offering Ti Kuan Yin from Adagio off and on for a few years now, as well as regularly recommending it as a nice daily TKY. The new Maestro TKY is much more refined. The flavor is unmistakable TKY, yet this one manages to be delicate with still a lot of that full mouth feel that TKY is known for.

The brew is light golden yellow. It has a sweet floral taste, very green and fresh and smooth. If you like greener oolongs you'll be happy with this one, it will not disappoint.

Thanks Adagio for this new collection!

[brandon]

Glad to hear it, but how does it compare to top grade TGY from a specialty oolong vendor?

I guess it will be important to see how it is priced on its own.

[laura99]

Sipping my first cup of this today and it is very good. The only other TKY I have had was $7.50 for 4oz., so I really don't have much to compare to. Enjoying it very much though

I will also be interested to see how this is priced - the samples were quite high at close to 7.50 each. But I am a beginner and have not purchased much higher quality tea.

[chicagopotter]

What is the gram weight of the samples? Their "Includes 4 sample tins.
Each makes 8-10 cups." is pretty non-descriptive...

[laura99]

I don't have a scale that would be up to measuring the amount, but the tins will hold 3/8 volume of liquid, to give you an idea of the size. All the tins are full to the top.

[Chip]

What is the gram weight of the samples? Their "Includes 4 sample tins.
Each makes 8-10 cups." is pretty non-descriptive...

Adagio has never sold the samples by weight, it is whatever they can fit into the sample tin. TKY is a pretty dense tea, so the gram weight will be pretty high compared to say Pouchong. I will try and guestimate the weight since I have done around three sessions already.

This TKY is very enjoyable and forgiving. I generally have gotten 7 or so steeps in a semi gong fu style brewing. I quite like this style of TKY versus the roasted versions. This one is quite green and light and aromatic.

Brandon, sorry I cannot really offer much of a comparison to the specialty shops for TKY, but if I just wanted a verrry nice green TKY, and did not want to have to fish through a list of TKY, this one would do it for me.

[Victoria]

Glad to hear it, but how does it compare to top grade TGY from a specialty oolong vendor?

I guess it will be important to see how it is priced on its own.

I agree pricing will be the key. It is very good and definitely a cut above, especially if you prefer TKY greener and more floral.

Is it as good as Jing Tea Shop premium? Or New Century Tea Gallery Iron Goddess King? No, not quite, but it's pretty darn good. In fact I think I am preferring it to the AliShan yes, shock, I know. But the AliShan is a winter harvest, and my tastebuds are finely tuned when it comes to AliShan.

What is the gram weight of the samples? Their "Includes 4 sample tins.
Each makes 8-10 cups." is pretty non-descriptive...

For reference - I just weighed what I have left after 2 sessions and I figure the tin was close to 30g to start.

[kymidwife]

I'm tasting this tea today for the first time. I was really pleased and surprised at how very green and fresh the leaves are... after the first rinse, the color of the unfurling leaves really popped inside my yixing.

I agree with the other posters who were pleased with the light green floral nature of this TKY... the smoothness and refined character as compared with the standard TKY from Adagio... also a nice tea, but definitely more rough around the edges. I've gotten 4 good infusions so far, and there seems to be plenty more to come. I am interested to see what the price profile will be for the Maestro line.

Sarah