Peter Heinrichs Dark Strong Flake

Exactly the same tobacco as Orlik's Dark Strong Kentucky, the only difference being that Orlik retains perfect unbroken flakes for the tins whereas this version by Heinrichs appears to be all the flakes that got broken in the manufacturing process. No harm in that - actually this Heinrichs version is the better buy because its the same tobacco in broken form and at a cheaper price.

The only other difference is that the Orlik version comes absolutely awash with a Molasses/Liquorice flavoring and is very wet in the tin; this Heinrichs version is slightly less wet but has the same flavoring.

Both tobaccos are easy to smoke, but the experience is close to an aromatic due to all the flavorings.

This seems very similar to Orlik's current version (see my recent review of it for tasting notes). The main difference here is the topping I think. This smokes hotter and seems to have a more predominate licorice taste which gets bitter at about the half way point. The room note seems more cigarette like and is not all that appealing. This is still a smoke that I could somewhat recommend to others who enjoy this blend type but there are better options out there and Orlik's is very similar if not identical save for the top note to this. I do prefer the Orkil version to this one hence a slightly lower rating.

This does indeed come in a nice paintcan tin and the seal is great. It is very attractive with the flakes being very light on one side and then darker on the other side of the same flake. This looks and smells just like Orlick's Dark Strong Kentucky, only this is sooooo flat...insipid...boring...a waste of time. I loved the aroma, but there was nothing for my palate. It burned well enough and yes there was some sort of sweet casing...maybe maple? I found this to be just so flat, so minimally satisfying that a second and third bowl did nothing, but start to give me slight tongue bite. This reminds me a great deal of MB's Navy Flake, another ho-hum flake. Decent volume of smoke, but not as much as I like. It burned well and relights counted not many. I won't be buying this again but thought the sweet/nutty aroma saved this blend and earned it two stars.

I scored a 200gm tin on EBay last week and wasted no time in trying it out. There was only a year on this tin so I’d call this pretty fresh tobacco.

I found this to be a nice change of pace from my regular rotation of English, Oriental, MV and VaPer. The tin aroma is a nice and strong with a fig or raisin fruit smell mixed with the sweet Virginia. I just let it sit on my desk for a while and enjoyed the fragrance while selecting a pipe.

I have tried the flake as a flake and rubbed and found that it required several lights either way but less relights when rubbed. The charring light and first 2/3 of the bowl are very pleasant with many flavors. The bottom 1/3 of the bowl had a unique tangy sensation that at first was not pleasant but not unpleasant … just unexpected. I will need to try this blend in several size pipes to find the right combination.

I will use this tobacco as one of my change ups and I think I’d consider buying more someday, but it will take me a while to get through 200gm.

2 out of 4