Darkside Core – Bergamonstr delivers a bold, aromatic burst of pure bergamot citrus, crafted for fans of bright, refined, tea-inspired flavours. Expect a vibrant blend of zesty citrus peel, subtle floral notes, and a smooth Earl Grey–like aroma that stays crisp throughout the session. The medium strength profile offers a satisfying lift without overwhelming intensity, while Darkside’s signature heat tolerance ensures consistent performance and dense, silky clouds. Bergamonstr shines on its own or in mixes—pair it with mint for an iced-tea finish, creamy notes for a dessert twist, or citrus blends for an elevated cocktail-style experience. A beautiful choice for those who love sophisticated, aromatic flavours.

Core Profile

Darkside Bergamonstr is widely regarded as one of the most accurate bergamot-forward flavours on the market—sharp, aromatic, citrus-driven, and unmistakably reminiscent of premium Earl Grey bergamot oil.

Main Notes:
• Dominant bergamot zest with a bright, citrus-oil intensity.
• A clean orange peel bitterness layered with light floral nuance.
• Subtle herbal tea undertones, creating an Earl Grey–like aromatic profile.

Intensity & Balance:
• Medium–high flavour intensity.
• Sweetness is low; acidity is moderate with a fine sharp edge.
• Bitter/clean citrus oils provide a grown-up aromatic character.
• Undertones of white tea and faint floral rind round out the top notes.

Aroma Character:
• Fresh, perfumed citric aroma—zesty but never sugary.
• Evokes chilled citrus tea, bergamot tonic water, and citrus peel tincture.

Leaf / Strength / Handling

Base Leaf: Darkside Core line – washed Burley.
Strength Level: Medium buzz; noticeably stronger than Virginia blends but milder than Darkside Rare.
Cut: Fine-cut, uniform strands.
Moisture: Moderate “syrupy wet” moisture; not excessively runny.
Handling:
• Packs easily and fluffs without clumping.
• Forgiving with heat, but performs best when the bowl isn’t overloaded.
• Works for both fluff and semi-dense pack styles.
Heat Tolerance: Excellent—can handle 2–3 medium coals without burning; citrus profile stays clean even under higher heat.

Performance Notes

Cloud Output: Dense, satisfying clouds typical of Darkside Core.
Smoothness: Very smooth if heat-managed; overheat gives rapid citrus sharpness.
Longevity: 60–75 minutes of stable flavour in proper heat setups.
Flavour Stability:
• Citrus remains bright for most of the session.
• Slightly rounds into more tea-like notes toward the last 20 minutes.

Recommended Bowls:
• Phunnel bowls (Oblako, Japona, HookahJohn Harmony) for clean citrus expression.
• Shallow phunnels help maintain intensity.

Recommended Heat Setups:
• 2–3 26mm cubes on foil.
• If using HMD: preheat coals well; start with lid open to avoid early bitterness.
• Best at medium heat to keep the bergamot crisp rather than harsh.

Pairing & Mix Ideas

Fruit / Citrus

1. Grapefruit (Tangy blends) – amplifies the bitter-citrus edges and adds deeper zest.

2. Lemon Sherbet / Lemon Pie – brightens the profile and builds a layered lemon-bergamot citrus punch.

3. Orange Cream – smooths the bitterness and adds a soft creamy citrus dimension.

Cold / Mint

4. Super Mint / Strong Menthol – creates an Earl Grey Ice Tea effect with crisp lift.

5. Cold Peach – adds fruity sweetness while keeping the top notes aromatic.

Tea / Herbal

6. Black Tea blends – doubles down on Earl Grey tones and deepens complexity.

7. Basil or herbal green notes – herbal freshness aligns naturally with bergamot oils.

Creamy / Dessert

8. Vanilla Cream – transforms it into a dessert-like bergamot custard profile.

9. Milk / Pudding flavours – adds luxurious roundness and balances the citrus bite.

Cocktail-Style

10. Gin & Tonic flavours – bright, botanical, and perfumed—hyper compatible.

11. Bitter Orange / Aperol blends – cocktail-like, sophisticated citrus layering.

12. Elderflower – floral sweetness complements bergamot perfectly.