tingjunkie Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Calling all WELL-experienced shisha connoisseurs!My hookah experience has been quite the oppposite from most people- I started with the premium brands (Fumari & Starbuzz) rather than the cheaper brands. I love my premium washed tobacco, but now I'm beginning to wonder if I am missing out on some great hookah just because I am a bit of a shisha snob.So, my question is... can cheaper brands of washed (it's all I smoke) tobacco really compare to Fumari and SB, or am I only setting myself up for disappointment? Can Al Amir, Al Fahker, Layalina, or Havana give huge thick clouds, great flavor, and long lasting flavorful smoke sessions when compared to the premium stuff?It seems Smiley's Sexy Shisha could be a contender judging by reviews. Perhaps I am wrong not to include this among the premium brands? What do you think?Have I missed mentioning any other notable washed brands?[Disclaimer: Sorry if this post is a bit noob-ish. I know exactly where the review section is, but when it comes to head-to-head, battle royale questions such as this, the review section isn't quite what I'm looking for. ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calcartman Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 If you're looking for smoke equivalent to expensive shisha, go with layalina. Watermelon, Rose, and Cherry are really good. The flavor is good, but its usually sorta faint for me, but its definitely there.If you're looking for a lot of flavor, try Fusion (guava and pomegranate are f'ing delicious). Al Amir for me tends to be hit and miss. I hated AA Cola and Raspberry, but love AA Mango, Rose, and Melon.Smileys smokes really well, but there is almost no flavor in the two flavors ive smoked.I have no experience with Havana, but i tasted the rose and wasn't too impressed. Much prefer layalina rose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookahlife Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 QUOTE (tingjunkie @ Jun 19 2007, 01:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Calling all WELL-experienced shisha connoisseurs!My hookah experience has been quite the oppposite from most people- I started with the premium brands (Fumari & Starbuzz) rather than the cheaper brands. I love my premium washed tobacco, but now I'm beginning to wonder if I am missing out on some great hookah just because I am a bit of a shisha snob.So, my question is... can cheaper brands of washed (it's all I smoke) tobacco really compare to Fumari and SB, or am I only setting myself up for disappointment? Can Al Amir, Al Fahker, Layalina, or Havana give huge thick clouds, great flavor, and long lasting flavorful smoke sessions when compared to the premium stuff?It seems Smiley's Sexy Shisha could be a contender judging by reviews. Perhaps I am wrong not to include this among the premium brands? What do you think?Have I missed mentioning any other notable washed brands?[Disclaimer: Sorry if this post is a bit noob-ish. I know exactly where the review section is, but when it comes to head-to-head, battle royale questions such as this, the review section isn't quite what I'm looking for. ]Hey Ting,Creating a thread for these types of questions is definitly a better way to get things straightened out. To answer your question....I personally started out with Nakhla and only started to experiment with other brands at least a year after I picked up Hookah. As great as Starbuzz and Fusion are, there are plenty of other shisha's that will give you just as much flavor, potency, and thickness of smoke. I'm a personal fan of Layalina, Havana, Al Fakher, Nakhla (strawberry and orange mostly), and Smileys Sexy. Remember just because it's cheaper doesn't mean its worse. Every tobacco is going to have it's "signature" flavor (Al Fakher Cherry for me is my favorite cherry flavor out of all the brands, cheaper or more expensive).Check out my post on this thread for some more details regarding these tobacco's; you should get a pretty good feel of what to expect from each: http://www.hookahforum.com/index.php?s=&am...st&p=131744Hope this helps! -Eugene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tingjunkie Posted June 19, 2007 Author Share Posted June 19, 2007 QUOTE (Calcartman @ Jun 19 2007, 02:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>If you're looking for smoke equivalent to expensive shisha, go with layalina. Watermelon, Rose, and Cherry are really good. The flavor is good, but its usually sorta faint for me, but its definitely there.If you're looking for a lot of flavor, try Fusion (guava and pomegranate are f'ing delicious). Al Amir for me tends to be hit and miss. I hated AA Cola and Raspberry, but love AA Mango, Rose, and Melon.Smileys smokes really well, but there is almost no flavor in the two flavors ive smoked.I have no experience with Havana, but i tasted the rose and wasn't too impressed. Much prefer layalina rose.Thanks. Good info Cal.Would it be fair to say that no brand you have tried has the same combination of flavor AND smoke as the premiums?I should add that a perfect shisha (in my book) should have a crap-load of flavor, a ton of dense smoke, be very smooth, and have as little buzz as possible. Would you say that any brands besides Fumari and Starbuzz fill these requirements? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny_D Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 You know my take on this brother Layalina is a fantastic smoke. Great priced. Amazing clouds (responds best to the funnel bowl)JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tingjunkie Posted June 19, 2007 Author Share Posted June 19, 2007 QUOTE (hookahlife @ Jun 19 2007, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hey Ting,Creating a thread for these types of questions is definitly a better way to get things straightened out. To answer your question....I personally started out with Nakhla and only started to experiment with other brands at least a year after I picked up Hookah. As great as Starbuzz and Fusion are, there are plenty of other shisha's that will give you just as much flavor, potency, and thickness of smoke. I'm a personal fan of Layalina, Havana, Al Fakher, Nakhla (strawberry and orange mostly), and Smileys Sexy. Remember just because it's cheaper doesn't mean its worse. Every tobacco is going to have it's "signature" flavor (Al Fakher Cherry for me is my favorite cherry flavor out of all the brands, cheaper or more expensive).Check out my post on this thread for some more details regarding these tobacco's; you should get a pretty good feel of what to expect from each: http://www.hookahforum.com/index.php?s=&am...st&p=131744Hope this helps! -EugeneThanks Eugene! Extremely helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tingjunkie Posted June 19, 2007 Author Share Posted June 19, 2007 QUOTE (Johnny_D @ Jun 19 2007, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>You know my take on this brother Layalina is a fantastic smoke. Great priced. Amazing clouds (responds best to the funnel bowl)JDYeah, I've heard a lot of great things about Layalina. Funnel without the mod for this right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calcartman Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 QUOTE (tingjunkie @ Jun 19 2007, 06:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (Johnny_D @ Jun 19 2007, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>You know my take on this brother Layalina is a fantastic smoke. Great priced. Amazing clouds (responds best to the funnel bowl)JDYeah, I've heard a lot of great things about Layalina. Funnel without the mod for this right?I use my layalina with the mod in the medium funnel bowl with no problems.As for shisha that combines both, they all do. Layalina has thick thick smoke, and flavor. Its not punch in the face flavor, but its most definitely still there. Some flavors are better than others too, as with all shishas. Fusion is definitely really good too, though i dont know how much cheaper/more expensive it is than other brands. But those two are your best bet to match up with Starbuzz and Fumari. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookahlife Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 QUOTE (tingjunkie @ Jun 19 2007, 01:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (hookahlife @ Jun 19 2007, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hey Ting,Creating a thread for these types of questions is definitly a better way to get things straightened out. To answer your question....I personally started out with Nakhla and only started to experiment with other brands at least a year after I picked up Hookah. As great as Starbuzz and Fusion are, there are plenty of other shisha's that will give you just as much flavor, potency, and thickness of smoke. I'm a personal fan of Layalina, Havana, Al Fakher, Nakhla (strawberry and orange mostly), and Smileys Sexy. Remember just because it's cheaper doesn't mean its worse. Every tobacco is going to have it's "signature" flavor (Al Fakher Cherry for me is my favorite cherry flavor out of all the brands, cheaper or more expensive).Check out my post on this thread for some more details regarding these tobacco's; you should get a pretty good feel of what to expect from each: http://www.hookahforum.com/index.php?s=&am...st&p=131744Hope this helps! -EugeneThanks Eugene! Extremely helpful Glad I could help! QUOTE (tingjunkie @ Jun 19 2007, 01:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (Johnny_D @ Jun 19 2007, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>You know my take on this brother Layalina is a fantastic smoke. Great priced. Amazing clouds (responds best to the funnel bowl)JDYeah, I've heard a lot of great things about Layalina. Funnel without the mod for this right?I wouldn't recommend smoking out of a Phunnel bowl without a mod, unless you're smoking Tangiers. Heat management and airflow for Layalina and other brands alike are vital to their smoke quality; because of the Phunnels design the heat from the charcoal does not run through the shisha like in standard bowls, but passes over it (i.e. preventing the shisha from heating up properly), that is why a mod is so important; it redirects the heat, forcing it to flow through the shisha prior to releasing down the phunnel. If you can get Layalina smoking great without the Phunnel, fill me in on your setup! Hope this helps! -Eugene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostofdavid Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 I second the delicious Layalina. I have yet to smoke a flavor that I did not like. The watermelon is fab! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 AA Pomegranet, Peach,and my favorite, blackberry are all great smokes.Al Ajamy, rarely mentioned, is also a great cheaper washed smoke. The orange is excellent and the 2 apple has the best apple/anise combination i have ever seen. I sell quite a lot of these.oh and for the record, Layalina is NOT, i repete, NOT washed. You were looking for washed right?Also the al Fakhergolden eskanderani apple I'll put up against ANY brand you can name for flavour and overall smoke experience...I could go on but you get the idea... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostofdavid Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Must is completely right about the AF Golden Esk. Apple. It is one of the best (and consistently best) smokes you can get. Shop around and you can get it for under 14 bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tj154906 Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 QUOTE (ghostofdavid @ Jun 19 2007, 12:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Must is completely right about the AF Golden Esk. Apple. It is one of the best (and consistently best) smokes you can get. Shop around and you can get it for under 14 bucks.I will have to agree with you. One of the best shishas I've ever smoked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clickhea Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 laylina is washed?is there a list of washed vs unwashed somwhere on this site? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
symptom CY Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Nope, Layalina is unwashed. Doesn't exactly pack a punch, but it's definitely not washed, either...Al Fakher is awesome (and soon to get better?) Can't wait for the new flavors to come out. The best, as has been said, is definitely the Golden Esk. Apple. Apricot is good too... though Layalina Apricot is good competition, at least in the flavor department. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 sorry to disagree..but i sell it and the box says .5% nicotine. thats unwashed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rooker Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 I reccomend Layalina!TX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubbleton Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 I will throw up a third vote for AF Gold Apple Esk; Better in every way shape and form than any other Shisha I've tried!Chubbleton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tingjunkie Posted June 19, 2007 Author Share Posted June 19, 2007 (edited) QUOTE (mushrat @ Jun 19 2007, 05:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>sorry to disagree..but i sell it and the box says .5% nicotine. thats unwashed.The Starbuzz Lemon Mint I just bout also says .5%, but it's certainly washed. I think most shisha manufacturers are very sloppy when it comes to info on the packaging. I thought Layalina was washed, but you probably know better than I do mushrat. Anyone else want to weigh in on this and confuse the situation even further? So far no solid votes for Smiley's SS? I'm surprised. The review section has a lot of praise for it. Are the flavors really that mild? They sound really interesting. I effing love Horchata (the actual drink).Sounds like AF Golden Esk. Apple will be in my next order! Edited June 19, 2007 by tingjunkie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 (edited) well, Smileys is one of my best sellers, but cheap it isn't. I thought you were looking for cheap. 2 of my best sellers are Horchatta and Naughty Cow here at the lounge, with prickly pear also very popular. Leroy, the guy who owns the excellent mexican place accross the street called Patio Loco says the Horchatta is EXACTLYlike the drink. Since he discovered he's diabetic and can't drink them anymore he hangs out here a lot and smokes em instead.Personally, I think atleast those flavours I carry are worth the price, and the people who smoke it and buy the jars do as well....I'll speak with one of my suppliers who's friendly with the Layalina guys, see if he can shed some murk on the subject... Edited June 19, 2007 by mushrat added the last line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
symptom CY Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 (edited) There was an official comment made about that issue with Starbuzz, and it was either the case that it used to be unwashed and there is still some unwashed left over, or it was just a typo. I forget. In any case.... Layalina certainly seems unwashed to me. Of course, I don't think any tobacco is completely unwashed, but it's certainly not as light as Starbuzz or Al Fakher.edit: I wouldn't recommend Smiley's, but that's just me. It smokes well, but I don't think I like the flavor and the way it comes through. Edited June 19, 2007 by symptom CY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerznPerversion Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 im 90% sure layalina is washed. its weak sauce =-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookaheveryday Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 (edited) So is Al Waha, but that is unwashed. Edited June 20, 2007 by hookaheveryday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calcartman Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Mush, Layalina's tub says .5%, but its nowhere near that. Even my fusion (.3%) is stronger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkenWizard Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 For washed, Al Fakher is my favorite, followed by Layalina. Layalina says it's .5%, but it ain't got shit on Tangiers!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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