Double Apple - Aniseed/Licorice like flavor?

[Avincinnian]

Alright. So a few weeks ago I got my first hookah, ordered some Al Fakher Herbal DA online (because of UK tobacco laws, tobacco cannot be advertised online), and a day later was recommended a store that sells tobacco, they only had Nakhla DA in stock, so I picked some up.

Now, before I'd bought my own, I'd smoked shisha a grande total of three times; two in 2010, where I cannot remember the flavor, and once in early Dec 2011 where it was apple and mint (no idea of the brand/cut).

Both types of DA (herbal AF/tobacco NAK) have a smell and taste which is very similar to licorice/aniseed in my opinion. Personally while I don't actually hate the flavor, it's certainly not something I would consider to be really nice (I would never purchase actual licorice), and taste nothing like the other flavors I've had at lounges (which I really enjoyed).

Granted, I use QL's at the moment, but right out the packet/box these both smelled like licorice.

I'm wondering;

A) Is this the norm for DA? I realize a lot of people on this forum like DA as a flavor, but then again a lot like Zag and other types of "raw" tobacco, which is something I personally wouldn't ever go for.

B) Can you recommend any other flavors (ideally AF or NAK), which have a more fruity/sweet taste?

[Everythingevil]

Yeah, thats exactly what DA is supposed to taste like... I personally never liked the flavor of double apple until I tried nakhla double apple... As far as recommendations for nak I think sweet mellon is the only flavored verity that I have tried, it was pretty good, just a bit too sweet for my taste.

[Chun Guesong]

Originally Posted by Avincinnian

I'm wondering;

A) Is this the norm for DA? I realize a lot of people on this forum like DA as a flavor, but then again a lot like Zag and other types of "raw" tobacco, which is something I personally wouldn't ever go for.

B) Can you recommend any other flavors (ideally AF or NAK), which have a more fruity/sweet taste?

A) Yes. From my experience every type of 'Apple' has at least a slight anise flavor, double apple being the stronger of them. The only apple I have had that actually taste anything like an apple was Tang sour apple candy.

B) While I haven't had much experience with Nak, I can say that their Mizo Watermelon is very sweet, almost candied watermelon flavoring.

As for AF, pretty much every fruit flavor tastes like it's advertised to. Except for cherry, that tastes more like pepto bismol. Strawberry, berry, orange, and grenadine being my favorite of the fruitier or sweet flavors. Personally I'd suggest staying away from their melon, as it gets hot really fast in my experience and their pineapple, because it seems to burn faster than most flavors.

[kalutika]

Double apple is commonly mistaken for an actual apple flavor. It's an old flavor that uses aniseed pretty heavily. I made that mistake when I first started too.

[Everythingevil]

I think the only tobacco that I have tried that actually tasted like apple, without the anise flavor is Desi Murli Spicy Apple... It's similar in flavor to apple cider.

[Reills]

If you're looking for a sweet Nakhla falwour I'd suggest the mix range, the cosmopolitan and sex on the beach are sweet and strong flavours. Also the miso raspberry and guava are great sweet flavours. You'll find it hard to find these over here though mate. My local guy only sells Nak DA which is kinda m staple anyway so I've landed on my feet lol

Keep trying the Nak DA, it's one of the best flavours out there that I've tried.

[Everythingevil]

Originally Posted by Reills

If you're looking for a sweet Nakhla falwour I'd suggest the mix range, the cosmopolitan and sex on the beach are sweet and strong flavours. Also the miso raspberry and guava are great sweet flavours. You'll find it hard to find these over here though mate. My local guy only sells Nak DA which is kinda m staple anyway so I've landed on my feet lol

Keep trying the Nak DA, it's one of the best flavours out there that I've tried.

I think DA is one of those flavors you have to get used to... I didn't care for double apple at first but it grows on you in an almost addictive way.

[Neorej]

Im Smoking the NAk Mizo Watermelon atm , and it is sweet

Recommended if u like a sweet/candy flavor !

[Coyotero]

[Everythingevil]

Originally Posted by Coyotero

That's my guess too.

[Shadowfilter]

Someone one thread said if you acclimate it open for a bit the anise dies down and the sweetness comes out, but idk i like licorice personally

[Everythingevil]

Originally Posted by Shadowfilter

Someone one thread said if you acclimate it open for a bit the anise dies down and the sweetness comes out, but idk i like licorice personally

True... It didn't have a crap ton of anise in my opinion, I let it air out for a bit though.

[Coyotero]

I've noticed that the Nakhla DA in a JAR has a noticeably more mellow anise and much more pronounced apple flavor compared with the box version.

[Avincinnian]

Originally Posted by Coyotero

Check my join date haha.

Well, at least I'm not kidding myself into thinking that the other flavors I had tasted great but now I've just gotten used to it to so it tastes like this or something. I think the reason why I really picked up on it today as for me, the AF Herbal DA had a much more potent flavor.

Thanks for the recommendations .

[goldzero10]

A - yes DA usually tastes like Anise and a hint of apple. With nak you let it acclimate for a little while and its better. But I believe that AF 2 apples is more like an apple flavor.

B- for the more fruity flavors try like Nak Orange, Nak Strawberry (not always a winner), Tangiers Summer solstice, Tangiers candy apple, etc.

[IMCarnochan]

All of the DA flavours I have tried have been great, but I am a big licorice/anise fan. I was hooked right out of the box.

[redwing91007]

I hate licorice but love DA, call me crazy

[IMCarnochan]

Originally Posted by redwing91007

I hate licorice but love DA, call me crazy

Crazy.

[Everythingevil]

Originally Posted by Coyotero

I've noticed that the Nakhla DA in a JAR has a noticeably more mellow anise and much more pronounced apple flavor compared with the box version.

I find that strange... I would think that it being in a jar would make it stronger rather than more mellow.

[againuntodust]

DA is licorice plain and simple. Not sure why they brand it otherwise. I hate it. I'd rather smoke cat whiskers and cat claws ground up into a fine mix of cumin and coriander mixed with a blend of tobacco and molasses, with just a hint of vanilla extract.

[Gemini]

Originally Posted by againuntodust

DA is licorice plain and simple. Not sure why they brand it otherwise. I hate it. I'd rather smoke cat whiskers and cat claws ground up into a fine mix of cumin and coriander mixed with a blend of tobacco and molasses, with just a hint of vanilla extract.

For real, the AF double apple tastes and smells spot on like black licorice.... they should of just called it black licorice on the box haha

[injekted]

So funny. I was actually just coming here to post the same thing. I tried the AF Two Apple tonight, and it took me a minute to realize what exactly the flavor was.

And yes... I'm new here. haha

Originally Posted by Gemini

For real, the AF double apple tastes and smells spot on like black licorice.... they should of just called it black licorice on the box haha

Actually, AF black licorice tastes and smells spot on like black licorice. Awesome flavor. AF double apple tastes like apple with a hint of licorice-ish-ness. I will say that Social Smoke DA is apple all the way. Very good if you're not interested in anise or licorice with your apple..

[Everythingevil]

Originally Posted by Gemini

For real, the AF double apple tastes and smells spot on like black licorice.... they should of just called it black licorice on the box haha

AF DA is not true DA in my opinion... If you want good DA, go with nakhla or Desi Murli.

[Nativedwarf]

Nakhla DA all the way. Such a nice flavour. I think as it was my first smoke its the flavour I think of when I think of shisha.