Nakhla Margarita

[filmigeek]

I accidentally picked up a box of Nakhla Sheherazade Margarita (spelled Marguerita on the box). (Don't ask me how. I could have sworn I had cardamom in my hand. I didn't notice until I got home.)

The reviews of this flavor in the Nakhla reviews thread are overwhelmingly positive. My experience ... not so much. What do you folks think of it?

Out of the box, it smelled like bathroom cleaner - really vile, made my nose tingle and eyes water. After a few minutes of mixing the smell got less harsh - but maybe I was just getting used to it. I contemplated not smoking it, but I know shisha can taste really different from the smell, so I figured why not?

I started with gentle heat so as not to burn - the shisha was pretty dry - and ended up with about 1.5 3K coals. The smoke tasted better than the smell but it still wasn't good. The taste was definitely related to the flavor of margarita - there was definitely a tequila and lime flavor - but while I like to drink margaritas I didn't appreciate the flavor of the smoke. And the cleanser-iffic tang never really mellowed away.

This was my first Nakhla experience (have only smoked AF and a little Starbuzz so far). Did I get a dud box of this highly-praised flavor, or is it just destined not to be to my liking? Is Nakhla usually dry? Compared to the AF I've smoked (some of which has juices dripping down through the neck of the bowl before I even start smoking) this was very, very dry. Anyone out there disagree with the glowing reviews?

And if it's just me, anyone want to trade for 230+ grams of Nakhla Margarita? Edited July 29, 2008 by filmigeek

[jezter6]

Nakhla is pretty dry in comparison, but that shouldn't make you like/dislike it.

It smokes as well as any of the more gooey liquid brands.
But, I have not had Magarita, so I can't help you there.

[Stuie]

I would but i got a kilo of that stuff I am working on. I love it! Nakhla is great once you get it down, it's freaking amazing!

[speel]

I would but i got a kilo of that stuff I am working on. I love it! Nakhla is great once you get it down, it's freaking amazing!

+10

[filmigeek]

Nakhla is pretty dry in comparison, but that shouldn't make you like/dislike it.

Yeah - I didn't mean that I would dislike it because it was dry; I was trying to determine if maybe I got an off batch. Sounds like I didn't though.

Nakhla is great once you get it down, it's freaking amazing!

Any tips on how to get the hang of smoking Nakhla? Does it generally take more heat, less heat, different packing style than Al Fakher? I am definitely willing to give the margarita another try given the positive remarks on it, and I have a box of another Nakhla flavor as well.

[MrMoodz]

Nakhla Margarita is one of my favorite Nakhla flavors. The stuff I have is moist and sticky and not dry. If you're having problems smoking it alone, you could always use it as a mixer with another flavor.

[GiantSquid]

Add some Honey and Glycerin to that stuff and let it sit.

I used about 3 times as much glycerin as honey and let it sit for like a day and now my nakhla is fine.

[Stuie]

Never had to add anything too it. More Heat. It's should be slightly sticky and wet. A lot dryer than that stuff is swimming in red dye. No worries. Smoke the crap out of it.

[Codename067]

Although Nakhla is the OGiest brand, they do have many flavors that are not exactly the best.

You just happened to get stuck with a bad batch I suppose. GL next time.

[melanko]

Never heard of this flavor. Doesn't really tickle my fancy.

The real question is, do you like your Margarita Shisha with or without salt? Edited July 30, 2008 by melanko

[cigarron]

You know, I can relate to what you're saying about the odor out of the box though I never thought of bathroom cleaner before. Wife complains of a tequila smell to the smoke.

However, every once in a while I really enjoy this stuff, especially now with the hot weather.

By all means give it another try. The lime and even salt flavors are pretty good.

[filmigeek]

Thanks again for the advice fellas. This forum rocks.

Yeah, it's sticky all the way through - when I say dry, I am comparing it to the super-juicy Al Fakher tubs I've had.

I'll definitely try it again before I give up. I'm still learning but one thing I have already learned is that different brands respond to heat very differently and it takes a couple of tries for me to get the hang of how to smoke a new brand.

[jezter6]

For nakhla I've been able to get away with a single 33mm QL or one coco - although once my first coco starts to shrink and I add a new one and have about 1.5 cocos on there - it really starts to get smoking, although I lose the flavor a bit sometimes.

Nakhla takes heat like a champ for being so damn dry.