The Kentucky and Latakia produce a lot of smoke and the taste is accordingly stronger than it is flavorful.I get Kentucky and also a burnt onion taste that reminds me of Samuel Gawith Black XX Twist. There is no sweetness just some toasty undertones, as for Latakia, it gets swallowed by the Kentucky.

Overall a tobacco for experienced pipe smokers, an evening or after dinner smoke. I have to say that the name is a misnomer as I was expecting a Latakia flake bomb and I got a Kentucky flake instead.

Not bad on its own merits but I start to think that the Robert McConnnell tobaccos are only pale attempts to attain a former glory.

I checked out KK&Co's web site before opening the tin; they claim this blend is not flavoured. Opening the tin, it turns out that it is; there is a very distinct sauce applied here; similar to the classic Lakeland Floral, but kept in check by the BC included here. The slices, as has been said before, crumble at so much as a sharp look. The Latakia is there, but very gently, and I can also make out the KY.

I get my best results with this blend after fully rubbing out enough for a pipe; no drying time necessary for me. The taste is pretty sweet, with toast and oomph provided by the Lat and KY components; the VA and BC provide lots of sweetness and variety. The room note is a somewhat mixed affair, but is certainly helped by the sauce, which also gives the smoke a fresh taste and aftertaste, the latter of which lingers on for a while.

I find I do have to re-light a few times, but in the end there is nothing but ashes in my bowl, so that is OK for me. The taste deepens a little throughout the smoke; the sauce stays on right until the end, and while manufacturer Kohlhase, Kopp & Co. rate this as a very strong 'baccy, it is in my experience nowhere near, say, Peterson's Irish Flake, which they rate at the same strength.

All in all, I find Latakia Flake a satisfying smoke in the afternoon; it will never be an all-day affair for me though. My favourite tipple to go along with this blend is a good Irish Single Malt.

Opening the tin reveals a selection of unusual, crumbly flakes,, that are similar in texture to Penzance, although they are long-cut, rather than square-cut. They tend to stick together heavily, making it difficult to separate at first, and need drying time. The main objection here is that they act more like crumble-cake than flake, and I am no fan of the former

The fragments are jet-black in colour, with duller and shinier areas, and seem to be composed primarily of stoved VA (possibly Black Cavendish, but I believe it to be mostly the former), mixed with Syrian leaf and some other dark components that never really come alive. The taste is nearly mono-dimensional, with a bit of sweetness, a but of spice, and a somewhat licorice-like complexion.

To be honest, the only change as you smoke is an ashy dulling, so smaller bowls are best. A clay is useful to a certain extent, but doesn't change much. The initial burn is usually problematic, and relighting seems mandatory, often many times. You may want to try it initially in a pipe that you don't love, in case the flavour doesn't appeal to you. The combination if latakia (English-y) and Stoved VA / Cavendish (aromatic-ish) tobaccos means that you may find any dedicated pipe will take up a bit of the other side in its seasoning.

The flakes are very thick, somewhat dry (although sticky) and crumble into chunks as soon as you try to do anything with them. Once you do have them lit, they do burn cool and slow, with no bite. Eventually you learn that there is no proper way to fill a bowl, and just shove it in any way that you can, and do what you may to keep it burning. Honestly, it almost seems as if it has a mind of its own and struggles to stay alive, shunning the flames.

You will want to keep a few extra packs of marches on hand for this. If you use a clay, at the least, the burn may improve from the radiant heat, and you may find it easier to keep this one going.

All-in-all, this is one blend you will have to judge for yourself, on its own merits and flaws. Honestly, I wish that this was no more than McConnell' Latakia in flake form, but alas, 'tisn't. I usually go for it when i want something different that has enough body to be pleasing and enough Nicotine to keep me awake, or relax me to bed; the only problem is that for a nighttime blend, it is too difficult to keep burning, and I often end up staying awake just relighting it, so a tiny bowl is useful if you want it for this reason.

The taste was odd. I'm guessing the latakia was of the Syrian variety, as it was more sour and wine-like in taste. Too sweet as well, possibly from an overabundance of cavendish (to my palate) or perhaps a casing gone awry. Whatever it was, it managed to beat the Kentucky down more than I could ever imagine. The nicotine was abusive and I had to smoke this in smaller bowls than I prefer. The whole concoction just tasted bizarre - a mixture of too sweet and almost soil-like. I only smoked about half the tin as it was, and mixed the rest with Cyprian latakia, while rubbing out the rest of the tin to make it consistent in cut. Only in this manner did it approach something I enjoyed. Where this one gets high marks is for originality. I've never smoked anything quite like it. If you enjoy a lot of nicotine and a sweetness that is enmeshed with the earthiness of Kentucky leaf, this is definitely one to take for a spin.

The room scent is….tra-gi-c. Maybe if it was mixed with some Oriental blend that would add some more sweetness, I would like it more

Tin note smells like clove cigarettes. I believe this flake has been flavored with wine.

The flakes are not dried out, but more crumbly than pliable. Fold and stuff did not work out.

Alight, I find the taste intriguing: it's definitely latakia, but not a "dry" latakia (a la Captain Earle's Ten Russians) or an overwhelming latakia (a la C&D's Billy Budd). Some may describe this as "wine-like", but to me the flavoring presents itself as "smoky cheddar wheel". And the nicotine is there: by mid-bowl, you may set this one down for a moment.

Overall, probably not quite four stars, but a very solid three-plus.

I recently opened up a 2 1/2 tin. Wow! The Dark Fired Kentucky brought an amazing spicy bold addition to this flake, making it a must for anyone who seeks a good Latakia based blend!

Nice, strong and tasty!!! ___________________________________

Original Review 07/25/2010

This flake is probably the most original mixture I had the pleasure to smoke.

Because of the high content of Latakia, this can come out as being an unidimensional, almost kind of bland smoke.

The secret to enjoy it is no different than an all Burley blend. It needs to be smoked slow and it requires your full dedication.

If you don't do these, you will miss one of the most interesting tobaccos on the market today.

Of note, the tin aroma is the strangest ever. Don't let it stop you.

This flake should not be an all day smoke. I smoke a tin a year, not more. And appreciate it every time.

My rate: 0.5

Warning: Make sure that children can't get hold of this tobacco: It smells and looks like some very dark chocolate when you open the tin.

The flakes are mostly dry yet pliable and jet black in appearance. A moderate to full rub worked best for me. I particularly enjoyed the smoothness mixed in with the strength. Tough to compare, but were I to take a stab at it, I'd say McConnell's Latakia Flake is very similar to the old Smoker's Haven Pirate Kake with a little more muscle.

Overall I found it somewhat one dimensional but worth trying. I probably will not buy it again, but I still have some left and will revisit it.

No detailed description given but I suspect this is a species of Syrian, as it is potent but not as smoky as Cyprian.

Cool and smooth but with a nico hit. Overall on the strong side due to the dark flavor.

Fairly unique due to the slight zesty to leathery flavor curve, but mostly uniform taste.

Not as complex as Germain's but still full enough.