The tin says "not for the beginner." No problem there. The only package size I saw in several cities and several tobacco stores in each was the 100g tin; opening that I was rather surprised by the sweet and fruit-essence tin note. Even more surprised was I after removing the liner, looking at three neat stacks of tiny, almost square flake slices, all showing a three-layer cake of dark tobacco on the outsides and a bright band in the middle, each band being of equal width.

The slices are perfect to stuff and light from the fresh tin; a bit too brittle to properly fold I rub them out. In a small pipe, lighting is OK if not exactly easy, and the smoke starts out sweet with some spice, as I would have expected. It has some notes of chocolate and cocoa in there, black pepper and, incongruously, Darjeeling tea and liquorice. The room note is not exactly brilliant, but for something with this much KY in it, er, it is. Pretty good, really, if you give it some room to work its magic: in confined spaces, the room note may be too strong. A little hint of liquorice lingers on in the room long after the pipe has been smoked.

The taste gains spice and depth throughout the smoke, and there is little left in my pipe once done; a few grains of dottle, otherwise a mottled ash is all. I'm still experimenting with drinks to go along, but a good Espresso seems to work just fine, as does an Irish Cream Liqueur on ice.

Peter Heinrichs Dark Strong is a great substitute, but I thought it not quite as complex as this blend, though it looks exactly the same. I doubt I'd have noticed much difference at all, except that I taste tested back in the day (and still can, since I have a nice stash of both tobaccos). This blend was just a tad more complex, slightly nuttier, and very barely sweeter than the Heinrichs' mixture, but I'd hate to hang on the difference. If you liked Dark Kentucky - find an old tin and pay extra if you have to - and smoke it. You'll never be sorry that you did. If you can't find it, the Heinrichs offering will be to your liking.

Both were dark colored flakes with a deep, rich aroma and fairly moist in the tin. I dried this out slightly, but not as much as most flakes. The flavor was also deep and rich but interestingly enough, not strong. The flavors were of various spices and nuts, with a nice dark molasses background. It was lightly sweet but leaned heavily toward the spicy side. No problems keeping it lit and it wasn't overly heavy on the nicotine. As for strenth, don't let the "Kentucky" fool you. This is not a robust-tasting tobacco as some are that have a high concentration of kentucky leaf. Some casing appears to have been added but it was not intrusive.

This is not readily available in this country but don't despair -the above mentioned PH blend is, and I doubt I could tell the difference in a blind taste test.

Don't be put off by the fact that it's A/S tobacco made, they say in the tin that it's "smoked by all shrewd Judges "

I think that they may have had that one right.

I prefer this to it's red tinned brother. But both are really good. Orlik is as Orlik does!

For me, Golden Sliced is a solid three stars, Bull's eye a definate four and Dark Kentucky Flake somewhere inbetween. It has a good strong flavour, which I like, a novel appearance and an appreciable amount of nicotine.

On first opening I did find the tobacco a bit moist with a sticky quality that led me to believe there was a casing present. It was actually quite difficult to seperate the flakes without destroying them. Anyway, they rub out easily enough and, after a bit of drying time, light ok. The smoke is wonderfully flavoured and, although I can't really taste any (of what I understand to be) Kentucky flavours, it is dark and strong. The topping tastes lightly of muscovado sugar and liquorice and manages to never get in the way or become over powering.

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.

The biggest suprise for me was the price. In the UK it's currently around £2 a tin cheeper than tobaccos of equivalent (or lesser) quality from Samuel Gawith, Rattray's, etc. and less than two thirds of the price of Davidoff's offerings. Bargain!

UPDATE...

I've been smoking more and more of this recently and it really is wonderful stuff. There is nothing I dislike about it. It makes me wonder why I even bother with other blends!

"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.

I smell Cavendish here, and the perfectly roasted Burley is also obvious. Mature Viginia indeed, and together these tobaccos make up one helle of a smoke. Not only because of the brilliant blending, but because Orlik seem to use the absolute best quality in tobacco, and this is a feeling I get, with all of their non- aromatics.

Yes, this is a perfect after steak-dinner smoke, along with a very stout pint of beer (Guinness would be a perfect match).

I call this the big brother of Three Nuns, as they are in many ways alike. This just has a little more going for it. It does tend to get sour/acrid towards the end, I guess it's the Burley talking.

Recommended indeed.

The nicotine hit was enough to put my nephew on all fours in the backyard, to be cautious if you are generally nico-sensitive. I rather like it.

.....Soft, rich, and with copious smoke. It is a blend of high-quality tobaccos pressed into a cake and then sliced into "flakes", producing a rich, high-quality smoke, a good nicotine hit, and a tobacco that is not too complex. I can count on it to be a pleasant smoke every time I load a bowl.

It is perhaps a bit on the 'dry' side, but so far (6 tins) I have not had to add humidity.

It is a rare and 'honest' blend, in my opinion.. & is my #1 DAILY smoke, followed by "Bull's Eye." (a close second)

Rich, full, dark flavors.

I really enjoy this flake but it is hard to get it burning and tasting right. It's easy to end up with bitter and hot smoke.

I'd give it four stars if I had more success in getting it into the zone... when it is on, it's wonderful stuff. Might be an issue with the piper, not the tobacco, but basically, I'm giving it three stars because it's not as tolerant of abusive smoking habits as I'd like.

Update 8/26/06: I now consider this my top burley, though there are several I'd still like to try. But wouldn't you know it? They've discontinued this blend. Why?? Judging by the reviews, it's more popular by far than any of their others besides Golden Sliced. I went and bought the last two tins at my local shop, and I'd highly recommend you do this as well ASAP. DSK, or DKF, RIP.

This is my favorite burley after Barbary Coast. It deserves its rating because it burns wonderfully, with no bite, it tastes very pleasant (and goes well with a good single malt) with some interesting and unique overtones, non-smokers like the aroma, the way it looks is unique and interesting, and its nicotene content is not overpowering. The only thing I don't like is that the tin was 100g (not 50 like this website says), and that really is a bit much for me to smoke of the same tobacco before moving on. I do not smoke that much, so smaller tins are better for me.

I would not recommend leaving this sitting around, even in an airtight tin, for too long. It is not the most robust tobacco, and should be enjoyed right away for the best effect.

Also, it is fragile, like many continental virginia flakes, and so it will leave lots of "crumbles" in the bottom of the tin or jar, which are wasted as far as I'm concerned, because they do no smoke well at all.

These are minor problems, and overall this is a great tobacco. Lots of burleys out there are bitter, but this one certainly is not. Do not judge burleys until you try this and Barbary Coast!

I too was taken a little aback by the odour on opening the tin, and as usual, decided not to "sniff" at such a thing bit to burn.

Two tone coloured flakes meet the eye, which are perhaps a little dry but still pliable to a certain degree, rubs out well but care must be taken to avoid the handful of sawdust. Lights well and an easy burn, followed by a rich sweet taste that is not overpowering, keeps it's flavour throughout the bowl and burns down to a nice grey ash.

This is only my third bowl. so I'm not at all sure as to my final verdict, love it or hate it, I try to finish the whole tin of a new tobacco, this way I feel I can give an honest and true opinion, it is only on rare occasions that I will abandon the entire contents, alas, sometimes needs must.

For the moment, Three Stars. 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.

A subtle but beautiful smell in the tin, with lovely looking mixed-colored flakes that rub out and pack marvelously well.

One match gets it going, and it burns easy all the way down to a fine ash.

The taste is refined and delightful, with enormous volumes of rich, soft smoke. The mouth feels refreshed at the end. Just heavenly.

Wonderful stuff!

This is dark and strong, with a full flavor rival to English/Balkan blends. This is a great end of day smoke and goes great with your choice of drink. The tin aroma is wonderfull, licorice/anise. Like others had said, this does not smoke or taste like an aromatic, but the licorice flavor stays in the background and compliments the great tobacco flavor. Bright VA adds a nice sweetness. I think this is what C&D was trying to do with Safe Harbor Flake, but fell very short on their flavor and flake quality.

These are excellent flakes that fold for easy loading and smoking. This tobacco will have a place in my rotation!

Highly Recommended

The licorice undertone of Dark Kentucy gives this blend just the tart sweetness needed to make this an interesting and complex smoke. I'm not much for aromatics, and this isn't by any means aromatic, but the licorice gives it a full, pleasent room note, at least for me. Being single, I can't guess how someone else might feel about the after effects.

If you like mild, humble blends, you prpbably won't care for this one. But if you want a tobacco you can go to at any time and know you'll take notice of what's in your bowl, you won't find a better choice than Dark Kentucky. Get a Diplomat cob and dedicate it to this blend; you'll be reaching for it quite often. If you try it and don't like it, by all means send it to me, I'll give it a good home.