E. A. Carey (Europe) Dark Flake No 7

I originally purchased this from EA Carey, Europe about 2-3 years ago and placed it under EA Carey (USA). I concluded that this was John Sinclair's Highland Sliced under the Carey banner. Orlk is the producer of both. Interestingly, when I first tried HS it was pure tobacco taste, like Dark Flake No 7. HS has recently been discontinued, but over the last year I ordered several 25 gm packets and found it to be Lakeland like in pouch note, translating to the taste. Dark Flake No 7 has no Lakeland nuances whatsoever.

On to the smoking experience. In a word - excellent!! Very pure, tobacco taste with an ever so slight prune note. Not as strong in nicotine nor as harsh when fresh as with Irish Flake or Stirling Flake, it still satisfies. If there is Kentucky in this it is not as forward as with Irish or Stirling Flakes, but there is sufficient body here on par with what I remember of Highland Sliced.

I was disappointed when HS was discontinued, but find it nice to know that the EA Carey version is available...and yes, they ship tobacco to the USA! 4 stars.

The very nutty, earthy, woody, burley also sports a touch of molasses and light chocolate as the lead component. The stoved Virginias provide a fair amount of stewed dark fruit, earth, wood, grass, and a small dose of citrus as a secondary player. I sense a couple of pinches of dark fired Kentucky, which would account for the dry, woody earthy, floral, spice notes way in the background. The prune topping is extremely mild, and doesn’t tone down the tobaccos at all. The strength level is a step past medium, while the taste is just short of the center of medium to full. The nic-hit is medium. Won’t bite or get harsh, though it does have a few rough edges. Being a mildly moist flake, it burns slow, cool and clean with a very consistent flavor from start to finish. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and requires some relights. Has a pleasantly lingering after taste and room note. Not an all day smoke.

-JimInks