Bad Batch Of Af Watermelon?

[duckhater]

So I've spoke with a couple of people, back when we had chat still up, I'm trying to figure out my problem with the AF Watermelon I have. I'm getting a burning-like feeling (but not a charred shisha flavor as my AF isn't burnt when I pull the foil off) on my exhale in the back of my throat

Here's the facts:

Red color, typical AF

Strong alcoholly fermented smell mixed with Watermelon Bubble Gum

Typical AF cut

Smoking out of KM Pharonie...which is a beast

Tried with 3 different bowls, small glass phunnel, Vortex, standard Egyptian

Using Coconara's...tried 2 coals, then broke up 1.5 coals and spread (and multiple variations of this up to 2 coals and down to 1 coal split into 1/4's)

Not too thick smoke...at least not as thick as Code and others have in their pictures

The shisha has a watermelon flavor that seems too strong and burns my throat, this is my first experience with AF, but I've smoked HF, Romman, Nakhla, Fusion, Fantasia before...AF shouldn't be burning my throat...

What do you guys think? Bad batch? Need to acclimate (which I shouldn't since it's AF...)? Any suggestions...



***edit I'm now smoking Nakhla Margarita, KM Pharonie, Egyptian bowl, 2 pieces Exotica, 1 piece Coconara....no harshness (with more heat) and btw I can officially confirm with this that Coconara produces more heat than (Standard) Exotica Edited September 18, 2008 by duckhater

[the_cool]

From my experience, watermelon is a bit like that. It's very throaty and isn't smooth at all. I used to smoke it mixed with AF grape and AF mint, which is lovley! You dont get any of the throaty feeling, but you taste the watermelon. IT also taste good with either just mint or just grape. Try mixing it with something else and see how you get on.

[duckhater]

From my experience, watermelon is a bit like that. It's very throaty and isn't smooth at all. I used to smoke it mixed with AF grape and AF mint, which is lovley! You dont get any of the throaty feeling, but you taste the watermelon. IT also taste good with either just mint or just grape. Try mixing it with something else and see how you get on.

I have Cinnamon AF, I wonder if that will be good...you have that same alcoholly smell with your AF Watermelon?

[mattarios2]

mine smells a little alcoholy, def mix with mint, it makes it taste amazing and gets rid of some of the funny things/characteristics about AF watermelon, WATERMELON-MINT!!!

[the_cool]

To be honest, i can't rememeber! But your perception to the smell might be different to mine. What does the cinnamon smoke like? I think you need something smooth to counter the watermelon.

[Voski]

My most recent tub is not the same as what I used to get. My friend dropped the tub and most of the tobacco spilled out and he just scooped it back in. I thought that might have been it.

What is the production date on yours?

[duckhater]

mine smells a little alcoholy, def mix with mint, it makes it taste amazing and gets rid of some of the funny things/characteristics about AF watermelon, WATERMELON-MINT!!!

Yeah, I just smelt my AF Cinnamon which smells divine, almost no alcohol smell if any...does everyone have the same problems when smoking AF Watermelon alone, because it was one of the highest reviewed AF flavors which is why I bought it.

I want to smoke the AF Cinnamon by itself to see if its different, but I think it'll be too strong...watermelon cinnamon doesn't sound too appetizing either, and if I mix with any other brands I won't know if it's the AF or not

[DarkParade]

my friend gave me some af watermelon XD tastes just like the first time i had it like 6 months ago and it still makes me cough so its not just a bad batch its all like that

[JillyIsJustKidding]

I know what you are talking about. Its not "harsh" but the flavor is just too strong right? To a point you start coughing and the smoke is wispy?

I've had the same probs with AF Grenadine, AF Cafe Latte, Af Pipe, Af Pineapple, and AF Bubblegum.

I think the prob is because of the new cut Its too fine of a cut imo.

This is what I do...I pack the AF a little tighter in phunnel bowls and it gets rid of MOST of the problem, but the strong flavor is still there

Eh idk this is why I don't plan on buying anymore AF. Sb is the way to go and so is Sinbad for me Edited September 18, 2008 by JillyIsJustKidding

[ryno]

mine smells a little alcoholy, def mix with mint, it makes it taste amazing and gets rid of some of the funny things/characteristics about AF watermelon, WATERMELON-MINT!!!

+1, I rarely smoke watermelon by itself anymore. Usually mix with mint, or a cherry/orange/watermelon/mint mix, which is really good.

I've noticed straight watermelon does mess with your throat a little bit. Try mixing it with something else

[duckhater]

Yeah, I agree...I've decided since it is so unpleasant smoking it solo (and mint is always too minty for me which is why I can't mix mint, when I smoked ciggy's menthol made me sick) I'm just gunna open it up and let it sit. Since it smells alcoholly I'm going to treat it as so since alcohol will evaporate. If it dries up I'll add some honey or molasses to it (since I dunno where to find glycerin around me), that shouldn't mess it up should it?

[DarkParade]

no it will just alter the flavor and i would use honey but not alot like 1tbsp for the whole batch

[duckhater]

no it will just alter the flavor and i would use honey but not alot like 1tbsp for the whole batch

1 tbsp for about 200g? seems reasonable I guess...

[Wharbone]

no it will just alter the flavor and i would use honey but not alot like 1tbsp for the whole batch

1 tbsp for about 200g? seems reasonable I guess...

I'd try only a little bit at first. A little bit goes a long way. Edited September 18, 2008 by Wharbone

[SixPackSunday]

one more reason i'll be steering clear of all af except for their mint... its just not what it used to be

[duckhater]

one more reason i'll be steering clear of all af except for their mint... its just not what it used to be

The Cinnamon is awesome btw...

[NickReppinThe909]

man this is weird i have smoked well over 2 kilos of AF watermelon all the way back to 2002 up until recently and i have never had any of these problems

[duckhater]

man this is weird i have smoked well over 2 kilos of AF watermelon all the way back to 2002 up until recently and i have never had any of these problems

So you haven't experienced this alcoholly smell...burning in throat on exhale sensation? How long has it been since you last purchased?

[ToncSTAR]

damn, i just ordered some AF watermelon for the first time, hope it doesnt smoke like this

[cotsi95]

AF Watermelon is an intense flavor. Ever since the af ketchup scare everyone that doesnt like a flavor from af just says its a bad batch. It really starting to get on my nerves. If fantasia blueberry had the same effect on you would you go around asking if its a bad batch? No, but because some of the grape came out bad everyone is running around screaming bad batches! Its really starting to get on my nerves. /RANT

Anyways like I was saying watermelon is an intense flavor, either mix it with something (fumari jello is perfect for this because its basically a sweetener but you better hurry because fumari is discontinuing this flavor) or keep smoking it until you get use to it. Trust me you will, I have some right next to me and I got use to it.

[indian_villager]

Trust me Air it out. It smelled a little alcoholy when i first got it and I aired it out! After that it was awesome!

[Codename067]

Nick, I am with you on this one..I stock up on AF Watermelon quite frequently..never had I experienced any of the things you guys are getting with the flavor.

Please don't let the AF Watermelon reputation become like that of the AF White Grape [Which is STILL damn good with no ketchup-y taste in my book]

[GreatPigHookah]

Nick, I am with you on this one..I stock up on AF Watermelon quite frequently..never had I experienced any of the things you guys are getting with the flavor.

Please don't let the AF Watermelon reputation become like that of the AF White Grape [Which is STILL damn good with no ketchup-y taste in my book]

Amen. I just bought a tub of AF Watermelon about 2-3 weeks ago and it is fantastic. No problems at all. I think the epiration date on the tub was sometime late next year, so it is probably fairly recent production.

[NickReppinThe909]

man this is weird i have smoked well over 2 kilos of AF watermelon all the way back to 2002 up until recently and i have never had any of these problems

So you haven't experienced this alcoholly smell...burning in throat on exhale sensation? How long has it been since you last purchased?

my newest tub is a MAY 08 production date and the oldest one i can find is a APR 03 but im pretty sure i had one from 2001 and i have never had any of the problems you guys are talking about it has always been a smooth yet very flavorful smoke. maybe you guys are just using too much coal

Nick, I am with you on this one..I stock up on AF Watermelon quite frequently..never had I experienced any of the things you guys are getting with the flavor.

Please don't let the AF Watermelon reputation become like that of the AF White Grape [Which is STILL damn good with no ketchup-y taste in my book]

AF white grape has never done me wrong and i have never been "ketchuped" i got a 50g of odd smelling grape but it was the new cut and actually tasted better

my only beef with AF is the new cut which is something so dumb to dislike a shisha over, and IMO you should judge a shisha on 4 main things
1. flavor 2. price 3. flavor longevity and the least important IMO 4. smoke thickness

[MOLTENBORON]

AF Watermelon has always been a little intense for me (that same weird sensation in the back of my throat) when i smoke it on its own. Its the only AF flavor that does that to me. However, I like mixing it with a little AF Cola (like 25%), you still get a good Watermelon flavor over the Cola, but it is a whole lot smoother (and this is one of my favorite mixes ever).