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I have been working my way through a fairly large and diverse order from Global Tea Hut, although expensive, the teas and teaware are the best I have come across by some considerable margin!

I would say Mei Leaf tend to have the best value and their teas are the most intensely flavourful, but when it comes to really high end quality, the varieties I got from Artifact in Paris and Glibal Tea Hut online are the very best. Artéfact’s 2019 and 1995 Shou Puers are particularly great! So is their Oolongs! I can’t wait untill I visit Paris again soon to go there and shop.

As far as GTH, EXTREME quality , very elevated. One downside I would have to point out is that they don’t do enough flavour or aroma notes on their teas, I prefer having targets done for me to look for, but that’s a minor note.

This is a subject that is not for 99% of you out there probably, but for the subset of people who are deeply passionate about both very high quality, aged, Cuban cigars and very fine high end teas, here are my thoughts.

I should note, I have been deeply invested in Habanos for over 25 years, and into high end teas seriously for just two years, these last six months, I have combined the two hobbies.

First note, and to answer the thought in the minds of most, definitely enjoying a tea on its own is the best way to experience the tea fully, much will be lost when combined with cigars regardless of what I am about to say, similarly, some notes might be shadowed or even transformed in the cigar with the tea, regardless of how successful the pairing. That said, these two fine leaves, when paired well and if we follow the rules outlined below, gain something that can’t be had on their own or coupled with anything else. I will attempt to explain that as I go.

Second note, it’s very, very important to understand that the vast majority of cigars would not work for what I am talking about, only well aged ( 7 plus ) Cuban cigars will work, non Cubans have an unpleasant aftertaste and a strength rating that would destroy the fine elements of the teas we will talk about, the older, finer the cigar, the better.

As for teas, by far, Shou Puer tea is my personal favorite as a cigar pairing, the deep, earthy, rich, woody flavor profiles of many cooked puers take the experience of enjoying an aromatic aged Habanos to the next level, also, Taiwanese roasted oolongs with their roasted nutty profiles also work both iced and hot, I can’t explain how fantastic an iced oolong made with ice cubes that are previously made from the same or other oolongs can’t be described, wonderful.

Why do tea if you are about to enjoy a fine Havana? The refreshing, cleansing, and palette resetting qualities for one, the enhanced aromas and flavors, and for me most importantly, the resulting energy and relaxing impact of these two complex, aromatic, fine leaves is an experience that is without equal. I end my day with a gong fu session and a fine cigar, and the contemplation, mood enhancement, and new outlook on life I’d like pushing a make me happy magic button.

I made some bowl tea for the first time after seeing some videos, this is an aged old tea, and I don’t know what it is; the taste or the aroma or the bowl or all three, but I had the urge to add a bit of salt. It was delicious and I instinctively felt like a pinch of salt would amplify the deliciousness

An I nutso or is that valid?

I’m just got a new shipment of tea and teaware from Global Tea Hut, and although I am relatively new to the tea hobby with only two years serious high end tea exploration, I have been through enough sources to know what makes a trusted source vs a questionable one, GTH are solid and although expensive have top notch teas and teaware. I specifically recommend their Medicine old tea , especially if prepared in a bowl and brewed at 90 temp, delicious with great energy! Their teaware is the best I have come across as well.

Another , which I still consider top, is Mei Leaf out of the UK, and the third is Tea House or YouTube’s Tea House Ghost. What i like about these three is that they are trust worthy, meticulously test and choose their teas, ensuring you don’t get any funky or poorly treated shop puer for instance, allot of tea out there could be pretty dirty and stored poorly, these three companies, I don’t hesitate!

Interesting in hearing which three sources you would consider fully reputable, beyond reproach, and guaranteed.

So my Rover comes with the option for the back passenger to stow away the foot rest and recline the back seat, making for a very comfortable seating area, however it would be infinitely better if it had the factory foot rest! Really regretting not getting that

As this is a purchase not a lease and I am stuck with the configuration, but live the car otherwise, I was thinking there might be some sort of aftermarket solution?

Does the job nicely

Fuck I love this watch. My favorite sport watch, absolutely enamored with it. I spent half an hour with a loupe and this thing and the finishing took me back. I believe this is probably the most beautifuly finished sport watch, that silly contradiction, a utilitarian sport watch with this level of finishing and a useless ‘ complications’ ( if we subscribe to the notion that a tourbillon is a complication ) is the charm that has me hooked

Plus it just looks fantastic

And because I felt like posting yet another video of my favorite watch to date

Sorry to double post videos of this watch, but I was out walking my new watch and the lighting in the early AM with the overcast sky made it super easy to capture the beautiful finishing of the movement.

I must say, it’s always a special feeling when you get a new watch, but this one hits different. Currently my favorite watch in my small collection

Picked up two grails, the Overseas Titanium Tourbillon Skeleton and steel 222, other than that fairly hohum afternoon. Proper pics later today