Nilgiri black teas are generally considered easy to brew, relatively low in astringency, and almost never bitter. Kairbetta, it seems, is the exception, producing teas that are strong in aroma and flavor, but with a tendency toward excessive astringency and bitterness. I like this BOP very much, but it is bit of bugger to brew. When you get the brewing right, it's a great cup. When you brew it too strongly, it's bitter with a mouth-puckering astringency. When you go shy on the water temp or amount of leaf, you can loose much of the intensity and range of the aromatics.
When the brewing is nailed, this tea has a clean, pronounced aroma, with notes of peach, almond, and flowers. The liquor is flavorful, with a bit of a tannic grip and flavors that are hard to describe, but mirror the aroma. The aftertaste is persistent, due in no small part to the tea's gripping tannin.
If you're looking for a big, fat, dark tea, skip this one. If you're willing to monkey around with the brewing and favor a flavorful, cleansing, and lighter-bodied tea, this one could be charming. I found somewhat short steeping times and brewing temperatures above 180 but below 190 degrees Fahrenheit to work best. Your experience may differ.
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