helios187

[attachment=1273:The_Colossus1.jpg] General: This hookah looks pretty sweet from the picture. Sadly the reality is far less satisfying. The craftsmanship on this hookah is sub par at best. It is equivolent to some cheap egyption hookah, which is probably what it is just with a clever name and description. I am embarrassed to say that I was duped by a product description which was to good to be true. Stem: The stem is probably the most disapointing aspect of this hookah, especially after looking at the rather decieving pictures posted on the website. Contrary to the gleaming solid looking stem above, this stem feels like it was made from recycled tin cans. And that cool looking blue segment which from the picture, looks like a nice segment of anodized metal, is in fact a sh*tty piec of plastic that is molded into the stem by crimping the tin around it at the ends. The Welds at the bases of the hose pipes were not complete, and I had to repair them JB weld. Although the stem is at leas in functioning condition now, the craftsmanship is some of the worst I've ever seen. The only good thing I can say about the stem is that it goes nice and deep into the vase. Base: You would think that it would be hard to mess up a stupid piece of glass, but this hookah managed to let me down yet again. The base in the picture leads one to believe that the blue stripes running around the base are simply blue glass that was layered in with the clear glass to form stripes, right? And even from a manufacturing standpoint, this shouldn't be a difficult, or expensive item to produce. In actuallity, this Base is solid blue glass, with crappy ass silver decals going around it to form the stripes. Again, Sub par, and a needless compromise which I don't believe really saved any money in manufacturing. Seal: Stem/Base seal is fine. As I said before however, This hookah was not air tight due to incomplete welds. Smokability: After repairs, it manages a decent smoke. The cheapness of it takes away from the atmosphere. Overall: Friends, save yourselves from the cunning allure of North Smoke hookahs. This hookah would have been worth it if it was 30% percent less expensive. For that price, the flaws would have been at least understandable in a way. Some of the sorriest craftsmanship I've ever encountered. 5/10

Al Waha Blue Berry 33" standard hookah japanese style coals iced water cut:moderate cut, not to fine. Quite a bit of moisture. relatively wet smell/ flavor: I should have taken a hint from the picture on the box that was clearly a blackberry colored blue, and not a blue berry. I was expecting a more authentic blue berry smell and taste, but instead i was hit with that kind of generic candy "blue rasberry" flavor. It was not completely unpleasant but i tend to steer clear of artificial candy flavors. 6/10 smoke: Average. 7/10 buzz: slight overall: If you like artifical super sweet flavors then be my guest. But if you're expecting blue berry, just keep on walkin. Not completely horrible but not a winner. 6.5/10

Al Fakher Golden Eskandarani Apple 33" standard hookah japanese style coals ( Im switching to fingers. since they are flat they tend to go out on one side) iced water Cut: not typical to normal Al Fakher. I want to say course, but it was more like strips of tobacco. flavor/smell: Smelled like perfume, and tasted like a mouthfull of sickening perfume. You might as well load a bowl of paris hilton perfume. Did not taste like green apples at all. 1/10 being generous. smoke: average thickness 8/10 buzz: slight buzz. not disappointing, but not overpowering. 8/10 overall: Go save yourself some money and jsut buy some cheap perfume and smoke that. I bought a 250 gram box of it (thats the only size it comes in), and im going to throw it away. 1/10

Al Fakher CAPPUCCINO 33' standard hookah japanese style coals (I'm gonna switch to finger style) iced water Cut: The cut on this was very fine. There were almost no stems which is a plus, but it was bordering on the fluffy side. moderately moist smell/flavor: The smell of this shisha was pretty good. It smelled like those cappuccino powder mixes that you can buy from costco or whatever. The flavoer was descent. Its kind of a nice change from fruit flavors, but it left a burnt coffee after taste in the back of your throat. This was not due to the heat, its just the way it is. 7/10 smoke: Average thickness. I was not disappointed Buzz: none for me, but iv'e been smoking Nakhla so im sure its there. overall: This was a good change away from fruity flavors, but not something that i would buy again. The flavor was pretty coffeeish, but it left a burnt after taste. Not a complete waste of money, but i wont keep this one around 7/10 P.S i bet if it were mixed with vanilla it would take it up to at least a 9/10, but thats just a geuss.

NAKHLA APRICOT 33 in. standard japanese style coals (im gonna start using fingers) iced water in base cut: typical Nakhla cut. Very course with a few stems. not much moisture smell/flavor: I've been noticing lately that a lot of Nakhla fruit flavors have kind of a bitter smell thats not quite like the actuall fruit. Ive been trying a lot of Nakhla cuz i was sold on sweet melon (which is delicious). but found that this flavor, and mango as well have a very bitter smell and flavor. I was hoping that the smell was not accurate, but i found that Apricot does taste a little bitter and a little perfumy as well. The smoke was full flavored and smooth, but the flavor itself needed to be a little sweeter, and trust me i am not about super sweet candish hoohah. 6/10 smoke: decently thick. If you're facing a light source it appears very milky and white, but if you're in a dim room, it may seem a little sub par. 8/10 Overall: This flavor was just ok, the smoke was descent and Nakhla always has a reputation for a good buzz, but the taste was bitter and slighly perfumy. 6/10