Earl Grey Heritage Irtolehti

The story behind the name is a nice touch, but what sold me is how the loose leaf unfurls into a rich, aromatic cup with a bergamot note that doesn't fade even on the second steep. I’ve already gone through half the bag in a week, and it’s become my afternoon ritual.

The bergamot aroma hits you the moment the bag opens, and it steeps into a smooth cup that doesn't turn bitter even if I get distracted for a few minutes. I've already ordered a second batch because the first one vanished too quickly.

The bergamot comes through clearly on the first sip, though it fades a bit faster than I'd like by the second steep. Leaves are decent quality but not the most fragrant batch I've had. Fine for an everyday cup. --- (Wait — that's borderline 4-star with the caveat. Let me make it clearly 3-star.)