Today I decided to break into a sample of Lapsang Souchong from Silk Road Tea Company. When I first received the sample, I was a bit surprised at the aroma. It was much stronger than other Souchongs that I have tried in the past. In fact, the scent was so strong it was borderline nauseating.
While preparing the water, I examined the leaves. They were very dark brown, almost black and tightly rolled.
After bringing the water to 180 degrees, I added leaves and water to a special red clay yi xing teapot I use for smoked teas and let steep the required 2-3 minutes.
Once the steeping was complete, I poured the liquor into a tasting cup. The color was deep dark amber and the aroma was very strong. I would say the scent of smokiness almost unbearable. As I brought the cup to my lips I began to think of campfires. Like water being poured over a campfire.
When the liquor hit my lips and palate, I was overcome with repulsion. This tea had similar characteristics of "Liquid Smoke", a liquid additive people use to give meat on the grill smokiness. 
There was no other flavor but smoke and it did have a slight bitterness that was also unpleasant. The aroma was so overpowering that it was not at all complementary to the drink.
I was not pleased at all with this. Having had Lapsang Souchong from other companies, this one seemed to be way over done. There seemed to be very little if any hint of the actual tea. All I got was extreme smoke in every sip and nothing more. As someone that enjoys smoke taste and aroma in Pu-ers amd teas like Souchong, I have to draw the line at this one.
Needless to say, I poured out the pot and re-added water. I let it steep for a little less than 2 minutes and tasted it again. I was not impressed the second time around. I thought that a second steeping might mellow it a bit, but this time it was all smoke and no tea.
I have tried many Silk Road Teas and other companies in the past, but this was the first one I immediately discarded. I don’t believe I have ever thrown a tea sample away because I deemed it undrinkable. This, I guess, will be my first.
I would be interested to hear if anyone else has sampled this company's Lapsang Souchong. Sometimes there can be bad batches that slip through quality control, or maybe this is just the way it is—their signature. Either way, I am a little turned off to Souchong at the moment and will have to wait for sometime before I try another.
Peace and Joy!
~Amadeus
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