lasagna Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Nakhla for me is hit or miss, I either have great sessions or crappy 20 minute sessions. Does this happen with anyone else or is it just something I'm doing wrong?I've heard amazing reviews about Nakhla, especially Mandarin, which I've been thinking of picking up but I'm not sure I want to spend even more money on Nakhla for potentially bad sessions. I pack it in an egyptian bowl, near to the brim and pat it down slightly, just like I would with AF or something. 2 Coco's on the brim, 3 rings of toothpick sized holes, and random ones to fill in empty spaces. So I don't know what my problem is, they smoke great sometimes and other times it's a crappy 20 minute session, or maybe a little longer. Oh and a heavy tobacco flavor, but I've heard this is typical of Nakhla. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vballpro Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I haven't been on the forum long and haven't really been smoking all that long. I have had 250g of peach and of strawberry and they are delicious. The difference may be that I use a phunnel bowl. It still shouldn't be that hit or miss. Maybe the packing is inconsistent? I'm not to sure. It also could be the inconsistent cut of the shisha itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattarios2 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 nakhla is one of if not THE MOST consistent brand of shisha on the market. So I would start off with saying it isn't the tobacco, unless you are getting really really really old nak sometimes, and then fresh nak other times. If it differs from bowl to bowl and not tub to tub, then rule that out. Next I'd say acclimation, I rarely need to acclimate nakhla but some flavors need it ... what flavors are you having issues with?I would say it could be packing, but if sometimes your bowls are great, I assume you can pack a good bowl of nakhla, you want it to be packed in there good, not like Af, you want more in the bowl than AF, maybe throw up some pics of your packing if acclimation doesn't help you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikemyusername Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 mandarin has to be the only nakhla flavor I don't have much respect for, other than that I love the stuff, its easy to work with and has a high heat threshhold wich means more coals richer taste more hearty smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasagna Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 Yeah I know it's very consistent, the place I buy from really doesn't get much business. It's a Mediterranean Grocery, which has a small section in the back with some hookah related stuff, but the majority of his business comes from the food. Once every couple months I'll see a small box with a shipment of AF in it, but never Nakhla, and I've never seen anyone buying Nakhla, and hell the packages don't even look like they get moved except when I buy something. So I assume you're on to something about it possibly being old, maybe I should just buy some online and pay for the shipping. I'll try to put some pics on tomorrow, kind of late right now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 (edited) packing nakhla in an egyptian is pretty darn hard to mess up...http://www.hookahforum.com/index.php?autoc...tails&id=70try that...see if it works...it's the best "holy crap...i'm too drunk to pack another tobacco" method... Edited November 19, 2009 by Arcane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasagna Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 QUOTE (Arcane @ Nov 18 2009, 09:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>packing nakhla in an egyptian is pretty darn hard to mess up...http://www.hookahforum.com/index.php?autoc...tails&id=70try that...see if it works...it's the best "holy crap...i'm too drunk to pack another tobacco" method...Ha, thanks for the vid. It looks like doing that method with any other tobacco would burn it, So does Nakhla not burn if it's packed that full/potentially touching the foil? Or is it not touching the foil? It was kind of hard to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 (edited) the foil was pretty much used to compress the tobacco...it was kinda hard to tell, but basically you pack it loosely 1/4in over the rim...maybe more, you'll find out the sweet spot with trial and error...then use the foil to press it down. if you noticed, i patted it down a bit after i foiled over because there was a lump in the foil...so, i just used my palm to make it somewhat flat.then drop some coals on it and go...nakhla is very heat resistant, so it may take more heat to get it going...although, some flavors don't like as much heat. i was smoking Apple Orgy in that vid and it tends to be a little heat hungry....oh, btw...the tobacco was basically pushing up against the foil...sooo, yeah...the tobacco will touch the foil/coals... Edited November 19, 2009 by Arcane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasagna Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 Great thanks for the reply and advice! I've searched Youtube for packing Nakhla without luck, and this helped a lot. Will definitely be trying this tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hookie The Hookah Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 QUOTE (Arcane @ Nov 19 2009, 12:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>the foil was pretty much used to compress the tobacco...it was kinda hard to tell, but basically you pack it loosely 1/4in over the rim...maybe more, you'll find out the sweet spot with trial and error...then use the foil to press it down. if you noticed, i patted it down a bit after i foiled over because there was a lump in the foil...so, i just used my palm to make it somewhat flat.then drop some coals on it and go...nakhla is very heat resistant, so it may take more heat to get it going...although, some flavors don't like as much heat. i was smoking Apple Orgy in that vid and it tends to be a little heat hungry....oh, btw...the tobacco was basically pushing up against the foil...sooo, yeah...the tobacco will touch the foil/coals...Apple Orgy, this is the cinnamon/DA mix right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (Hookie The Hookah @ Nov 18 2009, 07:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (Arcane @ Nov 19 2009, 12:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>the foil was pretty much used to compress the tobacco...it was kinda hard to tell, but basically you pack it loosely 1/4in over the rim...maybe more, you'll find out the sweet spot with trial and error...then use the foil to press it down. if you noticed, i patted it down a bit after i foiled over because there was a lump in the foil...so, i just used my palm to make it somewhat flat.then drop some coals on it and go...nakhla is very heat resistant, so it may take more heat to get it going...although, some flavors don't like as much heat. i was smoking Apple Orgy in that vid and it tends to be a little heat hungry....oh, btw...the tobacco was basically pushing up against the foil...sooo, yeah...the tobacco will touch the foil/coals...Apple Orgy, this is the cinnamon/DA mix right?at that time, it was Nakhla DA, Nakhla B.Apple, Nakhla Apple, Basha Apple, AF Esk Apple...i think 6 people out of the forums got to try it...don't know of anyone that said it wasn't great or better...i'm working on a new version, replacing the AF Esk Apple with Nakhla Esk Apple...i think this version will be the best yet! it should be ready by the end of the month...unless i fuxor the ratios, then i'll have to order more tobacco... Edited November 19, 2009 by Arcane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hookie The Hookah Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 QUOTE (Arcane @ Nov 19 2009, 01:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (Hookie The Hookah @ Nov 18 2009, 07:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (Arcane @ Nov 19 2009, 12:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>the foil was pretty much used to compress the tobacco...it was kinda hard to tell, but basically you pack it loosely 1/4in over the rim...maybe more, you'll find out the sweet spot with trial and error...then use the foil to press it down. if you noticed, i patted it down a bit after i foiled over because there was a lump in the foil...so, i just used my palm to make it somewhat flat.then drop some coals on it and go...nakhla is very heat resistant, so it may take more heat to get it going...although, some flavors don't like as much heat. i was smoking Apple Orgy in that vid and it tends to be a little heat hungry....oh, btw...the tobacco was basically pushing up against the foil...sooo, yeah...the tobacco will touch the foil/coals...Apple Orgy, this is the cinnamon/DA mix right?at that time, it was Nakhla DA, Nakhla B.Apple, Nakhla Apple, Basha Apple, AF Esk Apple...i think 6 people out of the forums got to try it...don't know of anyone that said it wasn't great or better...i'm working on a new version, replacing the AF Esk Apple with Nakhla Esk Apple...i think this version will be the best yet! it should be ready by the end of the month...unless i fuxor the ratios, then i'll have to order more tobacco...Well that sounds excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippo_Master Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I love the Nak, and I love how my sessions are always as great as the last one. Maybe it's a packing/heat management thing? Or something beyond your control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportsfan6216 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 QUOTE (ilikemyusername @ Nov 18 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>mandarin has to be the only nakhla flavor I don't have much respect for, other than that I love the stuff, its easy to work with and has a high heat threshhold wich means more coals richer taste more hearty smoke.I love mandarin..... smoked a bowl tonight and got some of the biggest F-off clouds i've gotten in a while, however it is a flavor that took some getting used to for me...... i find it has more of a tobacco taste than most other nak flavors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasagna Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 QUOTE (sportsfan6216 @ Nov 19 2009, 02:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (ilikemyusername @ Nov 18 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>mandarin has to be the only nakhla flavor I don't have much respect for, other than that I love the stuff, its easy to work with and has a high heat threshhold wich means more coals richer taste more hearty smoke.I love mandarin..... smoked a bowl tonight and got some of the biggest F-off clouds i've gotten in a while, however it is a flavor that took some getting used to for me...... i find it has more of a tobacco taste than most other nak flavors.Everything I smoke from them has a higher tobacco flavor, even mint which doesn't really mix. Mint should be...minty, not cigar'ish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 its nakhla...all nakhla has a distinct tobacco flavor...its tobacco with flavor....not really flavored tobacco... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasagna Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 Yeah I've noticed that, I guess it's just an acquired taste. I want to like it, it's so cheap lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnaby Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I don't taste the tobacco at all in the Nakhla I've smoked. To be fair though, I've only had Sweet Melon, Margarita, and Apricot from them. I just picked up some mango and double apple, so we'll see how that does, but with my limited exposure to Nakhla, everytime I smoke it, its a great session. Monster clouds, great flavor, good buzz. I pack mine up in my small phunnel, and put 3 cocos on it, and I'm good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ih303 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I don't get any tobacco taste with Nakhla either. Well, I do with Zag, lol...Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't air between the foil and the baccy lead to burning? My foil always touches the baccy. However, my friend said he packed a phunnel bowl half full and it smoked fine. What gives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattarios2 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 depends on the shisha really Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportsfan6216 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 QUOTE (lasagna @ Nov 19 2009, 02:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (sportsfan6216 @ Nov 19 2009, 02:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (ilikemyusername @ Nov 18 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>mandarin has to be the only nakhla flavor I don't have much respect for, other than that I love the stuff, its easy to work with and has a high heat threshhold wich means more coals richer taste more hearty smoke.I love mandarin..... smoked a bowl tonight and got some of the biggest F-off clouds i've gotten in a while, however it is a flavor that took some getting used to for me...... i find it has more of a tobacco taste than most other nak flavors.Everything I smoke from them has a higher tobacco flavor, even mint which doesn't really mix. Mint should be...minty, not cigar'ish.Mandarin is the only one i REALLY taste the tobacco flavor in though, the rest is heavier but mandarin i get about 50% flavor 50% tobacco flavor with others its like 90/10 IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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