 While our new readers may not be familiar with our ongoing “Tobacco Wars” series, those who’ve read the previous columns appeared to enjoy them, so we’ve decided to make it a permanent event! We’ll take a moment to explain exactly what the column is about, and to explain our classification system below:
What are the Tobacco Wars?
The Tobacco Wars are an opportunity for real hookah smokers to come out to a bang’n lounge and mingle with other hookah lovers over a free (but brief) smoke session, and provide their opinion about the two brands being tested. | |
What are the Levels of the Matrix?
After careful consideration, the Inside Hookah team decided to classify the tobaccos in accordance with price and/or self-proclamation: The tobaccos that claim themselves as premium, and/or charge the highest market rates for their products compose the highest classification (The Source). The tobaccos that are more moderately priced compose the mid-grade classification (The Oracles). Those least expensive (The Sentinels) are received the lowest grade of classification. We are associating price with quality because most manufacturers would justify their pricing with the quality of their tobacco. In addition, these stand as initial rankings. After a tobacco has competed with all of the other tobaccos in its class, it is free to compete with a tobacco in the level immediately preceding it. If a subordinate tobacco competes with a supposedly superior tobacco and wins the majority of the flavors, its classification will be adjusted, and so will the losing competitor’s.
 This month’s theme is the Matrix, but next month will feature a different theme. The terminology on the classification chart will always correspond with the theme for the month; however, the actual classification of the tobaccos shouldn’t change, unless (as mentioned in the aforementioned paragraph) the brand earns a better classification.
The Matrix:
Last month we had a great turn out with around 25 or 30 testers, and this month was even better! After much deliberation, Inside Hookah selected acclaimed and beloved local hot spot Jasmine’s for this month’s taste test. The event kicked off around 11:00 PM and lasted until midnight. We had an average of 30 votes. Last month we tested two premium (Source) tobaccos, StarBuzz and Fumari, and in an attempt to impartially address all levels of the classification system, we selected two great tobaccos from the base classification: Al Waha and Nakhla. This month we were graced with the support of industry giant Mya Saray through their donation of ten brand new, beautifully cut, glass hookahs complete with brand new bowl and hose – two of which were given away in a drawing at the end of the event, and eight of which will go for auction on eBay! Social Smoke charitably provided the tobacco, and mouth tips for the evening. The Inside Hookah team would like to take this opportunity to thank Social Smoke, Mya Saray, and Jasmine’s Hookah Cafe for their support in this month’s Tobbacco Wars tasting!  Data:
Al Waha and Nakhla are both lower grade tobaccos with comparable pricing. Al Waha is based in Jordan and Nakhla in Egypt. Both companies are versed with full but basic fruit flavors. This is a little different than the more exotic flavors found in some of our premium tobacco brands. We selected: 1) Double Apple; 2) Lemon; 3) Melon; 4) Mixed Fruit; and 5) Strawberry.
| The Matrix Reloaded:
Just as last time, the taste test was set up in a double blind manner – those who staffed the tables and the participants in the test were unaware of which hookah contained which brand of tobacco - so as to prevent bias. In addition, we used brand new hookahs (2 for each flavor, 1 per brand), clay bowls and washable hoses. The same amount of tobacco was distributed in each bowl, the hole patters were also the same, and each hookah had one piece of fully lit 33mm Three Kings Charcoal. Again, all conditions were kept the same to ensure a controlled tasting experience. J-Dog - Jeff (our on staff hookah master and all around good guy) was sick and unable to attend, but J-Dog (previous hookah master for the Velvet Hookah) graciously stood in – set up all the hookahs using the same identical method as implemented at our first, so as to guarantee the elimination of as many variables as possible. |  | |  | The Matrix Revolutions :
While Al Waha may be a Sentinel it is certainly “The One,” of its class. Although many would’ve expected Al Waha to lose due to Nakhla’s overwhelming experience, like a rogue program or freed human from Zion, Al Waha freed itself from the Matrix and found its own niche. As the Oracle predicted, when it said, “Everything that has a beginning has an end... [T]he end [is] coming, I see the darkness spreading. I see death...” Al Waha killed Nakhla leaving them forgotten in the matrix forever with regards to Double Apple, Mixed Fruit, and Strawberry. Like Smith, Nakhla didn’t go down without a serious fight first, winning 2 of the rounds, and coming close in another.
Overall feedback indicated that Al Waha produced more accurate flavors and a slightly smoother smoke. Al Waha came in with an overall ranking of 3.38 and Nakhla came in right behind it with a lower score of 3.12. Here’s what some of our tasters had to say about the flavors: | | Double Apple – Winner Al Waha
Al Waha: “Actually taste like apple!”
Nakhla: “Tastes a lot like licorice.”
Lemon – Winner Nakhla
Al Waha: “JVery flavorful, but a little harsh.”
Nakhla: “Just like popping a lemon drop in your mouth!”
Melon – Winner Nakhla
Al Waha: “Smooth smoke, but not very flavorvul.”
Nakhla: “Oh so sweet!”
Mixed Fruit – Winner Al Waha
Al Waha: “Did someone slip a Del Monte fruit cup in?!”
Nakhla: “Very perfume.”
Strawberry – Winner Al Waha
Al Waha: “All I need is a little whipped cream!”
Nakhla: “Smooth, but light flavor.” | |
Inside Hookah - Local Edition 
