This stuff packs a punch. The flavor is so bold, and possesses such a thickness, that it can only be described as, “tasting dense”. If you can keep the plumes from getting caught in your throat, you will taste something like pink lemonade spiked with cranberry juice

The flavor is very light, sugary, and un-interesting. At the start of the session, the flavor is that of Double Bubble chewing gum. Once the bowl is heated and smoking well, this tobacco actually has a likeness to a sweet tart that has been under the front seat of the car for a while. As a matter of fact, if you go to your hookah shelf and take a drag off of an old hose that you have neglected to wash, this stuff kind tastes like that.

Two puffs into a session and you will find yourself reminiscing about times when you were a kid sitting pool side with a fist full of blue Sour Punch Straws and a can of Surge. The flavor is almost identical to those flavor packed tubes of punchy sour goodness. Being that this is a washed tobacco that contains little nicotine, this is another tobacco that should be in everyone’s stash.

There is a new technique that, so far, has been proven (by myself and others) to instantly acclimate Tangiers Noir Tobacco. Before removing the tobacco from the sealed bag, massage the bag for 4-5 minutes. This completely mixes the tobacco in its “California” climate controlled bag. Then, empty the tobacco in to your shallow air tight container, and let…

If you’re a fan of the original phunnel bowls, you will not be disappointed with this one. But keep in mind, because of subtle adjustments to the shape and design, as well as variations in craftsmanship, you might need to adjust your packing and foiling technique. So should you upgrade? Maybe. It’s going to be a matter of preference. If you find your current Alien Phunnel bowl wanting, you might find this updated version to be a mark improvement. But if you’re quite satisfied with your current Alien Phunnel bowl, you might want to wait until a drunken party guest knocks your bowl off the table.

I know it’s tempting to look into the bottom of an almost-empty tub of Al Fakher Soft Black and see all that juicy goodness and think, “this is going to be great!” But don’t be fooled! All that juice in there is actually going to create all kinds of problems.

Soft Black is an unflavored tobacco. The taste is that of tobacco, made slightly sweet by the molasses ingredient. The result is something similar to smoking a standard pipe, unflavored cigar or expensive cigarette. Like natural tobaccos, the taste is dark, rich and earthy. It goes excellently with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. If the natural tobacco taste is too much for you, as it is for some people, adding a small amount of mild flavored tobacco, such as mint, cinnamon or jasmine can add the subtle sensation of smoking a flavored pipe tobacco or flavored cigar. Soft Black can also be added to strong, flavored tobaccos to mild things out a bit. But be warned, the more Soft Black you add to a flavored tobacco the more natural tobacco taste you will introduce.