I anxiously awaited the arrival of this popular flake that was discontinued by Orlik some time ago. By special arrangement, it will be available exclusively through pipesandcigars.com until early summer. After that, it will be made available to other US vendors.
There have been many reviews stating the similarities to Peter Heinrich's Dark Strong Flake. Apparently, both flakes are produced by Orlik. I have a 200 gm tin of Heinrich's and after the arrival of DSK I compared the two. The visible appearance in every way is identical - size/thickness/texture of flake, color, the way the two different tobaccos (Va and Kentucky) are merged together producing a very nice striated pattern. The major difference to me is the tin note. Heinrich's has a strong presence of black licorice, and as I noted in my review of same, translates into the smoke. Orlik's lacks the licorice aroma. Instead, it is a brown sugar like tin note, which also translates into the smoke. 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. The smoking experience is slightly different as well. Heinrich's smokes a bit hotter with the licorice taste getting bitter toward the last third of the bowl and tastes a little artificial. It also has a tendency to leave the room note a bit cigarette like. All in all, still a good smoke. 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. I prefer the Orlik's DSK over Heinrich's hands down and am very happy it is back and available in the USA.
There have been many reviews stating the similarities to Peter Heinrich's Dark Strong Flake. Apparently, both flakes are produced by Orlik. I have a 200 gm tin of Heinrich's and after the arrival of DSK I compared the two. The visible appearance in every way is identical - size/thickness/texture of flake, color, the way the two different tobaccos (Va and Kentucky) are merged together producing a very nice striated pattern. The major difference to me is the tin note. Heinrich's has a strong presence of black licorice, and as I noted in my review of same, translates into the smoke. Orlik's lacks the licorice aroma. Instead, it is a brown sugar like tin note, which also translates into the smoke. 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. The smoking experience is slightly different as well. Heinrich's smokes a bit hotter with the licorice taste getting bitter toward the last third of the bowl and tastes a little artificial. It also has a tendency to leave the room note a bit cigarette like. All in all, still a good smoke. 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. I prefer the Orlik's DSK over Heinrich's hands down and am very happy it is back and available in the USA.
