This Nantou Dark Sequel shares many of the qualities of its predecessor, with striking sweetness, and iconic caramel and toffee notes. We developed this iteration to increase the longevity of the steeping leaves, carry flavor through more consecutive brews without losing flavor and texture. From the base of a mid-oxidized oolong, we’ve taken these leaves through twelve rounds of roasting at ever increasing temperatures, beginning with convection, and finishing with the infrared heat of charcoal.

This tea took nearly two weeks to roast, each batch becoming successively smaller as moisture evaporates, and a portion of the increasingly delicate pearls break down into pieces too small to pass our inspection. The result of this intensive roasting transforms and enriches the tea’s sweetness and aromatics, and creates a classic “red water oolong”, so called for the rich scarlet shade of the brewed liqueur.

In the end, we’re incredibly pleased with the results; like our classic Nantou Dark, its sequel brews with depth and complexity, showcasing charcoal aromatics without the bitter or burnt notes often associated with higher fired oolongs, but now available in an even richer, long lasting profile.