For an unadulterated virginia/kentucky blend go for G.L. I got the 50 gram tin (1.76 oz). tin. No bite or harshness. I have since gone through two 100g tins and have three more in the cellar. There does not seem to be any "layering" or complexity to the smoke, as in an all va. or va/perique, but the taste is satisfying. I don't usually go for Danish style tobaccos, but this and Golden Sliced are pretty darn good and the price is always right for the 100gr tin. I like the combination of flavors. It is rather stout (not overwhelmingly so, however). The flakes are beautiful: almost square cut, dark and bright brown striped (rather like petite biscuits), and amazingly easy to break up and pack in. In a fresh tin, the flakes come quite moist so if you don't dry them a bit you can end up with a a watery and weak taste (and some bad moisture in the shank). The tobacco is a small, finely sliced flake, usually broken. Flake itself is just lovely with the dark and light mixed together. Addition 2017-08-03: This blend is available in Germany branded as Peter Heinrichs Dark Strong. The flake is nice and pliable, rubs easily into whatever form you would prefer to pack it. Not even a tiny peck. Tobacco selection: Blending fine black cavendish with the irresistible qualities of Kentucky burley gives this flake a look, taste and feel uniquely its own. So far, other than the moisture content, or should I say lack of it, I have found little to complain about, however, this too may change. The bottom line is: it's mild tasting, it has some sweetish topping on it, and that's it. Bottom Line: If you enjoy a deliciously full burley blend with a substantial cherry-chocolate flavor, this one's for you. Orlik's DSK smokes sweeter from the get go, smokes less hot (although it can nip at the tongue if puffed too vigorously), and leaves a more pleasant room note - not cigarette like at all. Great tin smell, Great taste, Great aroma, Great smoking quality from start to finish. Customers Also Viewed From the same Collection For me, bit of a must-buy, so I did. This just has a little more going for it. I never tried the old one so this is reviewed for its own merits and not compared to Heinrich's or old Orlik. I didn't know this had a licorice topping and interpreted the taste as a fermented yeast, malt, and molasses like in a dark bread. It's just rather sweet, and to make sure it would be, they added black cavendish. What'cha BRIAR and COB azzhats smoking 100,000? - Cigar Discussion Beautiful little short squared cut flake pieces with a bright stripe of grassy bright Virginia through the middle. The draw back that aggravated me about this blend is the flakes are so sensitive that they fall apart very easily, but if I find a couple of good ones I just take them and stand them up in the bowl and fluff the tops up some and lightly pack it even with the bowl. I dried this out slightly, but not as much as most flakes. The taste is quite mild (in spite of the name, even the nicotine content is perfectly tolerable! The blend is overall pretty monochromatic and lackluster. It has a nutlike flavor and a mellowness. And that's my bad really. This is probably my favorite tobacco. ES and DSK are also cased for added sweetness and flavor. It smells nice and looks nice, but I've found it to be a little moist. I found Heinrich's all but unsmokable in any conditions, preparations, or pipes, while DSK is quite enjoyable when treated nicely. I enjoy this for the times when I would like a stronger virginia burley blend. The presentation of this tobacco is very appealing with several stacks of flakes. Very cool box on my porch today! | Page 3 | Badger & Blade I choose to fold the flakes rather than rub them out. It has a wonderful smell, however, both before and after lighting, though my mom remarked "what IS that you're smoking?" The Kentucky waxes and wanes in strength, sometimes just a bread-like accent giving the blend body , other times right up front with its spicy smokiness and tea-like sweetness. The flake in this tin, is beautiful. So, I wanted to say thanks to the friend who encouraged me not to trade off this tin without opening it and giving it a whirl. Like a less-sweet molasses. This Orlik blend takes a mix of select Virginias and combines it with, as the name implies, dark-fired Kentucky, to create a flake that provides a fine contrast between the bright and dark flavors of these tobaccos. Larsen Dark Flake. No bite. Purchased From: S.G Roi Tobacconist (B&M). The flakes are presented neatly in the tin, and their appearance is quite unique: dark Kentucky outer with a stripe of golden Virginia through the middle. It smokes cool and has a pretty decently sweet room note, although not light due to the Kentucky. At first sight I was expecting a stronger smoking experience; not that the nicotine content is low, but with that name I was waiting for a real punch. Imagine my surprise when I opened the tin to find three very tidy stacks of scientifically-precise striped flakes and a tin note primarily of brown sugar and dark fruit, with just a hint of smoke. Hours of Operation: Our website is always open and you can place an order at any time. Takes the light easily and burns readily, but slow and cool. I'd say it's medium strength, but because it has a molasses-like flavor and sweetness to it, its bark is worse than its bite. Good flavours just too sweet to carry the name "Dar k Strong Kentucky. " At the match, I definitely get the Virginia up front, but the taste is primarily Burley. Similar qualities, different casing. One of my favorites. This is a good smoke if you appreciate burly. I will update both of these reviews very soon, but for now I'll say that I am currently enjoying OGS quite a bit and to he honest I'm a little baffled.. pleasantly. Boy is this great stuff, but packing it right can be tricky. I suspect that the dark "Kentucky-stripes" in the flake are actually Black Cavendish, because this blend blend is cased and Kentucky is hard to detect. The flakes are all uniform in size and thickness, and the moisture level of the tobacco is spot on perfect fresh from the tin. Rubbed some of it out as I like to try a flake the first time completely rubbed out to get its full measure. It smokes well to the bottom of the bowl, though like many burley blends can be a little one dimensional, so it might not be everyone's all day smoke. Used my William Demuth long-stem system pipe for this. It took a few charring lights and a couple of relights before it was all over. It is reasonably priced and I can see this being a real bell ringer for many pipers wanting a full, non English blend, with some sweetness but no annoying nic hit. Because of the moisture, I usually let them dry a while (sometimes a few days) and/or rub them out thoroughly to prepare. Great flavor. Enjoy it for what it actually is --- a fine smoke. Immediately one smells a deep hay-like quality, cocoa, molasseses, coffee and maybe a hint of cherry or some other fruity essence. Four stars for the older version and two and a half for the new, which I rounded up to three. After the first few bowls I did not really care for it but after staying with the entire tin for a week or so I can say it grew on me.I could see reaching for it at times because I knew what I was getting each bowl and it never wavered. I prefer the Orlik's DSK over Heinrich's hands down and rate it at 4 stars. Nic is mild to medium. Interestingly, the anise scent doesn't really carry into the flavor profile. I am sure the same identical leaf type is used with both variations, but it is with the casing (or top note) that separates them at first whiff. Comparisons: Agreed similarities to W.O. Similar Blends: Peter Heinrich's Dark Strong Flake. When lighting you are hit with a sweetness you don't expect, and a mild smoke counter to the name "Strong". Overall not bad. I cant wait to try this in one of my better pipes to see if I can better identify the various flavors! This may be a mental thing, but to me at least, there is a smoky character from the Dark Fired Kentucky, a natural sweetness from the Virginias, and there is a maple or brown sugar like topping that has been applied before the tobacco was pressed and sliced, thus giving it the aroma and appearance of you guessed it, bacon. Wouldn't buy again, but if someone were to gift, I wouldn't say no to a pipe full of Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky. "Not for beginners" it says in the tin description, and I get what they mean, even though this is an easy smoke in the sense that I believe anyone can get comfortable with it in no time. The Red Virginia was tangy dark fruit sweet with wood and earth as a supporting player. If you can get this, try it. May 16, 2021 . There was some natural sweetness that complimented the deep Kentucky taste, but I would not label this a sweet tobacco, per se'. Hopefully, you know what Latakia is and how it's made, Kentucky (or DFK, as it's known in my club) is made with Burley in much the same fashion; smoking the Burley with woods and herbs to impart a smokey, woodsy, earthy and often barbecue-like spiciness to the leaf. It definitely has its place. It is not the most robust tobacco, and should be enjoyed right away for the best effect. Will keep this one in the top 5 in my rotation, until something better comes along. A licorice flavor prevails. Dark Strong Kentucky is a delicious blend. The major difference to me is the tin note. A good smoke. For all that has been written about this blend, and its depth of flavor and the taste challenges posed by the dark fired leaf, forget it: this blend is ice cream. Whether you rub 'em or stuff 'em, it's a slow smoke either way. The first few drags were very strong but they began mellowing out as I smoked it towards the half way mark of the bowl. London mixture burns down to the bottom of the bowl,leaving a fine,dark grey ash. I expected a bigger nicotine hit, but it never came. Great after-breakfast smoke with a cup of black tea. certainly not what I like from a burley. Orlik presents us with, yes, some kind of black licorice casing, but I find it's more of molasses. I liked this onee and found it to burn real well in any size pipe. A solid 3 stars. Bargain! In my opinion, Dark Strong Kentucky by Orlik is in the same class as Erinmore flake. Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky. For those with the patience, it takes less than a week in a re-closed tin for the tobacco to dry enough that its combustion is no longer such an issue, and this tact seems to preserve most of its flavor and aroma, as well. We reserve the right to verify delivery to cardholder via UPS. They've discontinued this blend. Reactions: DonutLuvr , Devil Anse , JOHN72 and 1 other person Upon opening I was greeted with that peculiar licorice aroma. (not that it should be very significant, but anyway.). To be fair, it was the idea of Kentucky and liquorice together that drew me to the assumption of this being acrid, but first light blew that idea away. One of Orlik's most popular tobaccos is back! This is how a premium Burley blend should be! Oh yeah by the way, the tin is cool and the flakes look really sophisticated. Especially anyone who is into pipesmoking. The Cavendish is not obtrusive; rather, I pick it up more as a smoothing, body-boosting component. When sipped, this is tasty and I think many will really like this blend. Burns down to a nice ash. The taste of the sweetness mentioned in the pouch note (presumably from the Virginias & the liquorice flavouring) was present, and blended well with the rich earthy tone of the Kentucky, providing a very pleasant, flavoursome, and moreish smoke, with hints of Cocoa-like elements. I love burley blends, and I smoke more burley than anything else. Peter Heinrichs - Dark Strong Flake (Special Selection) -- identical! That always makes this greedy Dutchman happy. Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky Discontinued? | Pipe Smokers Den Is this an aromatic? The taste is tobacco real, but also flavors of malt / Stout Beer, licoricelittle sweetnes are tasted. Do not judge burleys until you try this and Barbary Coast! Not only do the flakes look like bacon, to me, they smell like bacon as well. I have at last found another burley blend which I not only can tolerate, but actually enjoy. Chasing Embers Well-known member. worked for me. A nice tobacco at a reasonable price. It does tend to get sour/acrid towards the end, I guess it's the Burley talking. Smell from a freshly cracked, slightly aged tin is of a little fermentation smell mixed with licorice. It's a good smoke, smooth and a good amount of billowing smoke. You must be 21 years or older to make any selections on this site - by doing so, you are confirming that you are of legal age to purchase tobacco products or smoking accessories. if you enjoy pipe smoking, do yourself a favor and pick up a tin of this blend, you'll be glad you did. If it's lit but you are puffing fast trying to get more of the subtle taste, you will probably get tongue bite. Mailing Address: 550 Highway 9 East, Longs, SC 29568 Telephone: Local/International: (843) 281-9304 Toll Free: (888) 366-0345. I am smoking through a generous sample given to me by a friend. The sweetness is barely noticable as it burns, but there is a surprising fullness to the smoke and a good strength from the dark burley. It is neither "Dark" or "Strong" and it is totally different from other kentucky forward blends like HH Old Dark Fired, Gawith Hoggart Dark Birds Eye or Savinelli Doblone d'Oro. The smoky sweet taste and aroma are to die for. can finally stop. It definitely gets a bit more full flavored as the smoke progresses. This tobacco will have a place in my rotation! It smells like like a chocolate cake topped with vanilla and cherry cream. Half the flake is medium brown tobacco and half is dark tobacco. I think that they may have had that one right. I'm nearing the late middle of the bowl now, and the predominant flavoring I detect here is some sort of brown sugar/maple or perhaps a vanilla. The flavoring is certainly strong. I was expecting a true nic-hit instead of what I found. There is absolutely nothing objectionable about it, except that it's BORING. This is a non-aromatic, medium to full in strength dark fired Kentucky tobacco. The smoke is sweet, buttery, darkly fruity,and oy slightly Smoky. I recommend this for anyone that likes that full rich tobacco taste that dark Kentucky is known for. I occasionally get a deep tang, presumably from what Red Virginia is present. I retried this after smoking Pease's Montgomery and loving the dark burley used in it. Kentucky? Can I really be blamed? Aged cakes of red Virginia and fire-cured dark Kentucky tobaccos give this full- bodied, flavorful flake an unusually rich and naturally spicy taste. Bleck! The name is very misleading. Woooha! This is a mellow and pleasant blend of select Virginias with some dark fired Kentucky. The anise/licorice is noticeable, but never overwhelming. Same picture of an aging transvestite, same colors and danish inscriptions that defy internet translating services. I'll be brief, as many fine reviewers have described this tobacco very well. Much like the other two tobaccos I have tried from Orlik, this does leave a slight sticky coating in the pipe but only a very thin layer. I really enjoy the molasses and licorice flavors. It's an interesting variation on the stronger burley/dark-fired blends I normally gravitate towards. Dark and bright flakes pressed together in a nice square cake. Don't judge a book by its cover! I haven't smoked this in a while because my tobacconist no longer carries it. The tobacco burns very well, rubbed or by folding the flakes. What makes it fun lies in the fact that, from one pipeful to another its strenght will vary, depending on the proportion of DFK that ends up in the bowl. As a result, this is a good blend for new smokers, junk food addicts or children. The room note was wonderful, to my nose--the kind of smell that drew me to pipe smoking in the first place. I like this for a change of pace from my usual English and Balkans. The room note is not remarkable in ant way. The smell was dark fruit and spice which tasted much the same add molasses. I've finished the first tin now, and it will be my last - the experience has been the same each smoke with consistent flavor. Deep, sharp and earthy, carmel tones and nuts are evident. Ps: I have contacted Orlik to figure out what the can says. And, it may miss entirely after this. If you want candied tobacco without tobacco flavor, go for it. My first VaBur blend. He tasted it and immediately said that this stuff would never sell in the US market, it was just too strong. Summary: a sweet blend with a vanilla top note that brings out sugary and chocolate notes in the leaf. Dark Strong Kentucky is an interesting bird to look at. Given the way the different tobaccos are combined in the flake, I was not surprised that the flavor experience changes several times during the course of a bowl. I only take issue with the name because it is sonot what it proclaims. I couldn't sense liquorice in the scent, but just a lingering sweet earthiness. There are many blends out there with Kentucky in them (some of which only list Burley as an ingredient), but Orlik's Dark Strong Kentucky is slightly different. There a still a couple of burley based tobaccos I have yet to sample, but for now, DSK is the one of the best of the lot, second only to Stonhaven. For me, I'm thinking blending in some Perique or Oriental to spice and liven this out of it's gravy-like malaise may be the key to turning it into something I really like. This one has a licorice smell to the Tin with a very nice presentation. The topping does not leave a goopy mess in the bowl that must be reamed or scraped out. Lighting up is super easy and the tobacco burns beautifully well. Beautiful rich flakes that are 1/2 dark and 1/2 bright. I had the misfortune, as I wanted to try it, to see it become discontinued back in 2005 before I could place an order for it. OK, Now that we have got presentation and tin note out of the way, lets delve into the tobacco a little deeper. MSRP: $82.50 $67.81. There is nothing I dislike about it. They remember those flakes with layers of dark-fired on the top and bottom with a core of bright Virginia. Never had it before the re-release but I'm glad it's back to stay for now. Home Stretch: As end of the bowl approaches, the bowl never really changes other than it gradually deepening. Peter Heinrich Dark Strong Flake 7oz Tin - Watch City Cigar & Pipe Buy a tin; put on your best flannel shirt and hiking boots, and tramp out into the woods with a bowl full. this has a silkly smooth subtle brown sugar/chocolate taste that is a subtle compliment to the burley and virginias.