The wait is over - Hot Glove 2 has arrived and is spectacular. Fruit candy, crisp minerals, and resinous woods all conspire to make the most indulgent sip.
Hot Glove was released nearly two years ago and was met with universal love. Our unique blend of Yancha and Rose got snapped up by the tea collectors and is the prized possession of tea lovers worldwide.
So it was only a matter of time before Hot Glove 2 would emerge, but it took us time to craft the perfect combination.
Because this is not just any old mix of Rose and Rock Ooong.
The key to blending is not just to mix complementary aromatics but for the relationship of the ingredients to create a third flavour - a unique creation, a blend where the sum is greater than its parts.
The Rou Gui is called Bai Rui Xiang, which roughly translates to '100 blossom fragrance' and it lives up to its name - gardenia, magnolia, fruit blossoms and so many berries mingle with vanilla and fudge.
The Rose is from Yunnan Dounnan and is fruit jammy and juicy - strawberry, orange and a little cinnamon spice.
Both tea and tisane would be selected as individual offerings in their own right.
But blended together and the results are revelatory.
It is high praise to say that the 'rose aroma' is not the first tasting note that pops out from the leaves or the tea - in fact rose is far down the list.
The reason this is a compliment is that it shows how well the rose aromatics have melded with the tea flavour to create new tastes.
The bass notes of almond brittle, antique woods and vinyl provide a warm, sweet yet punchy body. Which is then unashamedly drenched in fruit juice and flower nectar.
We have wild strawberries, mangosteen, baked oranges, nectarines, pineapple and recurrants bursting in the mouth. There is also a lighter and slightly creamy note of sherbet and taffy candy of which plays perfectly alongside the white flower notes of gardenia.
I can't get enough of the aroma, it is an orgy for the senses (which kind of inspired the slightly decadent and sensual cover).
All that you have to do is read through the tasting notes on this page to see that this tea is ridiculous and the amazing thing is that I reckon other teaheads will come up with even more references. It is just such a full and rich experience.
Oh and the finish and minerality is sublime - crisp, sweeping, vaporous and juicy with that essential yancha rockiness.
Drink it strong and the body sensation will get you! It is warm but with a cheeky energy in case that was needed to sway you.
This is the PERFECT tea to seduce noobs into true tea but will also wow connoisseurs with its unique and overflowing character. There aren'many teas that can say this and I highly recommend you nabbing a cake or three.
