What are the Ranks?

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 Generals). The tobaccos that are more moderately priced compose the mid-grade classification (The Captains). Those least expensive (The Lieutenants) 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 An Epic Battle (with ancient empire emphasis), 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.

Intel:

Havana was previously ranked as a mid-grade tobacco, but upon further consideration the Inside Hookah team decided to promote it to the premium category. Al Fakher and Havana are both premium tobaccos with comparable pricing. Both Al Fakher and Havana are based in the Untied Arab Emirates. Both companies carry similar flavors. We selected: 1) Cappuccino; 2) Grape; 3) Mint; 4) Orange; and 5) Strawberry.
 

Strategy:

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. Jeff (our on staff hookah master and all around good guy) 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.

Grape – Winner: Al Fakher
Al Fakher: “Smooth, but doesn’t taste like grape.”
Havana: “Doesn’t taste like grape at all.”

Mint – Winner: Al Fakher
Al Fakher: “A Christmas Déjà vu!”
Havana: “Mint?? Really?? Not so mintilicious!!”

Strawberry – Winner:Al Fakher
Al Fakher: “Tastes like a strawberry colada!”
Havana: “Needs ripening!”