Wedding Impérial

My third tea from Mariage Freres, and the second tea I tried in the cafe, Wedding Imperial was one of several choices of teas boxed in gift sets featuring Marco Polo that i was considering as a second buy for a friend back home. Many milk teas (i.e tea with milk) are sold by the can in Japan, and I had gotten into a habit of drinking vending machine 'Milk Tea Imperial' as a substitute for coffee when my caffeine addiction was at its peak. Perviously, I hated drinking tea with milk, but my tastes have changed considerably and I have become quite fond of the horrid little bottles, especially in the winter when they are dispensed hot right from the machine. Wedding Imperial was the clerk's suggestion to a good milk tea, something i knew my friend would like, and the open tester smelled absolutely wonderful.

Wedding Impérial starts off with an incredible aroma; sweet and soft tea with a perfect amount of chcolate and caramel tones. It is highly remenicent of a good English Breakfast, but the quality of Assam tea used in this blend is obviously much much better than a Twinnings or other premium brand. This was the first time I noticed that a tea was malty without being told before hand.
The actual taste of Wedding Imperial's caramel and chocolate flavors tends to be more subtle then its aroma, something I distinctly like about this tea. By concentrating on taste and not smell, I can relish the smoothness of good Assam without it being overwhelmed by other flavors. However, sipping casually, everything blends together so nicely that I rarely bother to analyze one sense over another. As I mentioned before, Wedding Imperial was recommended as a tea to be taken with milk, something I agree with. It goes well with a light drop of cream and sugar, and doesnt become overpowered or oily like some teas can. I have a tin at home now, and like a pot sweet with a touch of lowfat milk in the morning before work. An excellent tea, one of the best.