Taylors of Harrogate Lapsang Souchong, 50 Teabags

This is one of the most unique teas I’ve tried. The easiest comparison I can make is that it’s kind of the scotch whisky of tea. Not because it tastes exactly like whisky, but because it has that same “you either get it or you don’t” quality. If you enjoy bold, smoky, earthy flavors, this tea is fantastic. If you’re expecting a normal black tea, this probably is not the place to start. The smokiness is strong and very campfire-forward. Not sweet BBQ smoke and not quite the peaty medicinal smoke some scotches have either — more like standing near a real wood fire on a cold morning. It cuts through other flavors extremely well, which is actually why I bought it in the first place. I originally purchased it for mocktails, especially whiskey-inspired nonalcoholic drinks where most ingredients tend to lean overly fruity or sweet. This tea adds bitterness, earthiness, and complexity that balances those drinks really well when served cold. It gives mocktails a backbone they often lack. What surprised me though was how much I ended up enjoying it simply as a hot tea on its own. On cooler mornings especially, a cup of this with a little honey really hits the spot. I personally preferred it with manuka honey because the more subtle flavor worked better with the smoke than stronger wildflower honey tends to. I’m definitely more of a casual tea drinker than a tea expert, but the product itself seems high quality. The tea bags felt in line with other premium bagged teas I’ve bought, and the brewing process didn’t seem overly finicky. I just used water slightly below boiling and steeped for several minutes without issue. It stayed smooth and drinkable rather than turning harsh or bitter. It does contain caffeine, though I wouldn’t call it extremely strong. I still keep it as an early-day tea only, which is honestly a little unfortunate because the smoky warmth would make an excellent evening drink if it were caffeine free. This is definitely not going to appeal to everyone, and I think that’s part of the charm. But if you’re adventurous with tea, enjoy smoky whisky, campfire flavors, or want something dramatically different from standard black tea, this is absolutely worth trying.

I can't get enough of this smoky elixir! I drink it plain, with lime and as the base of cocktails. I enjoy mezcal, and love how this tea resembles it's smoky taste.

This is very strong tea. It is strong in terms of aroma, strength of flavor, and oh may I stress again the key factor here of aroma. The smell of this tea will be overwhelming to some people, and amazing to others. "Smoky" is the word used on the box and frankly, that's good enough a descriptor for me. It conjures up memories or likenings of just about anything involving fire, or fireplaces, or camp fires, or even just the general season of autumn as these things will all involve the smell of smoke. I could picture this tea really hitting the right mark if consumed after spending a long day outdoors in the cold weather. It's a well-made tea. The flavor comes through, the sediment is quite low, the aftertaste is small -- it's a top-shelf product. Just know what you are getting. If you ordinarily drink Darjeeling or Earl Grey and you cannot imagine anything being stronger, then this tea will knock your socks off. Or if you have a hypersensitive sense of smell and are bothered by anything rising above the presence of crackers and bread, then you will probably be overwhelmed by this. Or perhaps you're like me, and you've consumed enough tea to float a battleship. And you've come to a point where you would like to try something new from time to time because, well, life is short. In that case, I'd say give this a try. It is different and it is unique, but it is also well-made and coherent -- there is a method to the madness, as they say. Good luck to you, my fellow tea drinker.

I love exotic teas and thought, "What could go wrong?". Well this tea is not meant for the gentle and fragile. This is man tea and should only be drunk by men with thick necks name "Horst or Gunther". This is not the tea makers fault as it is made to the highest standards and is the exact way that Lapsang Souchong should taste. I just was not prepared for the intensity of the smoke flavor which is pine smoke and the residual acid that you feel in your throat as you drink it. This is a tea you must try at some point in your life but be warned. You need a set of brass ones to overcome the first hit of aroma as you open the package and prepare your first cup. You need a strong pallet and an "Nothing that does not kill me can defeat me," attitude to enjoy the experience.

This is a very interesting tea. I actually really enjoy it (with honey always!!) lemon might be good in it as well! (This is coming from someone who always has just enjoyed sweeter flavor teas like hibiscus) It’s a very strong scent, however if you like the smell of a bonfire you would like it😆 I will say the taste is so good, it’s not as strong on the scent so some may like that! I recommend. It’s very different, but if you like trying new things go for it!

You can pay a whole lot more for loose tea which does not always turn out to be any better. It's better than I would have expected, and 'easier' than loose. I'm reordering this on a regular basis now.

Been a Tea drinker for over 60 years, our daughters have bought this tea for us from Amazon, four times since December of 2025, it was the best Tea I have ever tasted. I ordered the same Tea from Amazon, with newer 'Best By' date of May 2027, this Tea has almost no flavour compared to the Tea I have been drinking for the last nine months from Taylors of Harrogate, purchased through Amazon. I believe the same thing happened with their English Breakfast Tea a few years ago. Too Bad, it was exceptionally wonderful Tea.

This is smooth tea that is extremely smoky. The tea isn't as strong/brisk as I would prefer. It is a lot smokier than I expected. This isn't a bad tea. Personally, I think the taste would be a better choice for a dreary winter day instead of the summer. Be warned. My cat thought the box was cat treats at first and one of my (adult) kids thought I'd bought some beef jerky. Both were extremely disappointed! Even though I enjoyed this tea, I probably won't order it again. Ever since I started drinking this in the morning, I've been inundated with afternoon ocular migraines. I cannot be certain that this tea contributed to this sudden flare up. However, it is the only new thing I've recently added to my daily routine. I love Taylors of Harrogate Assam and thought I'd give this a try.

I've tried several other brands this tea and none of them are as smokey as this one. Definitely my favorite brand for Lapsong Souchong up to this point in time.

Great tasting tea, delivered very promptly, I will be back

Good strong aroma and taste.

When my usual brand of Lapsang Souchong became unavailable, I reluctantly ordered this brand and have been pleasantly surprised. It has a good, rich flavour and each tea bag is individually wrapped. Although this is not good for the environment, it is beneficial in maintaining freshness. I actually like it better than my original choice and hope it remains available. I find it somewhat overpriced, although the last lot was a bit more reasonable. I use it daily and love it.

Great tea. Comfort in a cup!