Tea Cultivar · Hybrid
B/5/63
- Origin
- India - Darjeeling (Bannockburn Tea Estate)
- Primary use
- black tea, orthodox, darjeeling
Overview
B/5/63 is one of the most celebrated Darjeeling clonal cultivars, originally selected from the Bannockburn Tea Estate in the Darjeeling hills. The name follows the standard Darjeeling clonal nomenclature - estate code, selection number, and year - and the cultivar has been propagated widely across the higher-elevation Darjeeling estates since the 1970s for its aromatic muscatel character.
Characteristics
A hybrid sinensis/assamica cultivar adapted to the high elevations (1,500–2,000 m) and steep slopes of the Darjeeling hills. Leaves are small to medium, dark green, slightly serrated, with a vigorous but compact habit. It tolerates Darjeeling's cool, foggy climate well and produces particularly distinguished second-flush tea.
Flavor profile
B/5/63 is prized for its pronounced muscatel character - the grape-like, slightly winey aroma that defines the finest second-flush Darjeelings - layered with dried apricot, honey, light spice, and a long floral finish. The liquor is bright amber, the body medium, the astringency soft and structured.
Where it grows
Darjeeling (Bannockburn, Castleton, Jungpana, Margaret's Hope and other high estates)