SirClip
New Member
As a cannabis and cigar afficionado, my tobacco tasting routines have naturally overflowed in my vaporizing sesh. I think there is value in consensual methods that allows different subjectivity to be compared. In wine and tobacco tasting it is customary to make a tasting card or sheet where observations or perceptions are recorded at different times, while doing different things. For example, a “cold draw” can be made on an unlit cigar, just to taste the raw tobacco, which in turn can add depth to further comments on a smoking experience. With cannabis, unfortunately, this can be done only with a joint, as any device (pipe or TED – Thermal Extraction Device), unless brand new, will impose an aftertaste.
A lot can be imported from the cigar world to build a solid tasting protocol that will allow more valuable exchange of personal impressions in cannabis tasting and vaporizing sesh. First, mouth to lung (MTL). This is the basis for a more or less standardized intake method for gaseous substances. The mouth might not be exactly the same from one person to another but the proportion of its inner volume to the volume of the lungs must be quite regular. Direct to lung (DTL), in my opinion has too many inconveniences for that purpose. The first one being that you don’t really “taste” much of anything, not in a complex or subtle way. Another one is that some variability can’t be controlled: lung volume, duration of draw, etc. Lastly, DTL practices often imply one or two large draws, not enough to provide for a tasting experience that accounts for how the flavor develops within a sesh.
Second, fuck combustion. Or maybe that should’ve been first. Now that we know a lot more about cannabis, how complex it is and how refined culture techniques and genetics have evolved, the only way to realistically access what our sensory organs can make of it is through vaporizing. Certainly not mixing it with burning material. In this forum this argument is a given, and I need not labour it.
There is I think an aspect of cigar tasting can be imported directly into the realm of cannabis. In the cigar world, it is customary to divide the cigar in three thirds: the hay, the divine, the manure. During its first third, "the hay", the cigar wakes up, like in the morning, not entirely there but with hints and promises. The second third is by far the best, hence the “divine”, flavour and texture are at their maximum and most enjoyable. The last third is considered somehow as the bastardized version of the cigar, less desirable, starts to taste harsh. Some just don’t smoke it.
With the proper technique, I do find the segmentation in thirds to be useful, even if not accurate with all TEDs. Furthermore, with definite sequence of MTL, one can even find surprising differences and characteristics from one draw to another. Below is a generic example with the Dani Fusion vape with a long wood stem. The Dani Fusion has an advanced click, meaning that you will likely have to go past it to get to your ideal temperature. Some view this as a drawback, I consider it a useful feature. The click signals that the device is at specific temp and you can get quite precise just by slowly counting afterwards. I count a bit more when vaporizing kief or hash.
The sesh will have three thirds, same as a cigar. Each third will deplete the TED of its extracting power, and it will have to be re-heated twice. Any given third implies 4 series of draws of increasing MTLs: 1, 2, 3, 4. So, each sesh has 30 draws, divided in thirds of ten draws that are distributed in 4 series. After a series of draws, hold in lungs should be about 5 seconds and a complete clean breath should be taken afterwards, between each series.
So we start with a Dani Fusion endowed with a medium pack of good weed that is torch heated until the upclick (heating), and then 5 seconds more. This is the timing I found was the best, with this TED, for sustaining this sesh protocol. Ideally, with any TED, the useful heat should be depleted after 10 draws (with pauses) so that the downclick (cooling) is not too far.
“T” is for “Thirds” and “S” is for “Series”:
First Third: The Hay
T1S1 : One draw. This draw will provide the purest taste of the terpenes. At this point, the weed itself is not very hot yet and only the most volatile substances will get vaporized. It might seem that there isn’t much there, but I find there is. It is a revealing prelude to what’s to come. Upon exhale, you might not see anything coming out, but you will definitely feel a subtle taste
Exhale after the 5 seconds’ hold. Then take another clean breath. Every time between series. This will serve two purposes. First, it will give time to the TED to reheat in the right places. When you draw, you take cold air in, and it cools the metal near the wind. Heat from neighboring regions takes a little time to propagate. Second, with fresh blood in the alveolus of the lungs, you will ensure that the next series of pull leads to maximum absorption.
T1S2 : Two draws. Terpenes in full bloom. That is the time to identify and chase those ethereal flavours. You still might not see anything while exhaling, but you will definitely taste it.
T1S3 : Three draws. Terpenes again, with more of a spicy hint.
T1S4 : Four draws. At this point of the first third, there isn’t much heat left in the TED. The four pulls here will get you some flavour, but not much else. It basically serves the purpose of drying the material and preparing it for the second third.
The TED should be immediately reheated after the downclick. With the Dani Fusion used as above, the downclick usually happens right after the last four draws, or need just one or two quick blows to click. If the downclick is heard during the last four draws, do not complete the series, reheat there and then.
Second Third: The Divine
T2S1 : One draw. The vapour is much thicker and flavourful than in T1. You recognize the terpenes from the first third, but with more intensity and mixed with something more. I’m not sure if the water vapour content plays a role in the tasting here
T2S2 : Two draws. This will be the most satisfying series. I find those two successive draws, the second series of the divine, to be the most representative of the best that the weed you're sampling has to offer.
T2S3 : Three draws. This will also be a notable series. The last draw might be a tad week, but this series compares well to the one before.
T2S4 : Four draws. As in the first third, the last series is not the strongest one and serves the purpose of preparing the last third.
This second third is really “divine”, it’s the best! Usually very smooth, very tasty and very potent. Like after the first third, reheat as soon as you hear the click.
Third Third : The manure
Now, for the “manure” third. At this point, the material is dry and roasted. And like coffee, when roasted, you get a quite different flavor.
T3S1 : One draw. You will definitely notice how the vapour is different. Very dense and almost smoke-like. Also very tasty, more of a roasted flavor, but it begins to be harsh.
T3S2 : Two draws. Very dense cloud, a bit harsher. I often noticed some slight irritation at the back of the throat. I first thought it might have been due to the heat: as you reheat the TED, heat propagates to the whole device. But I don’t think that’s it. Maybe there is some kind of irritant that’s being vaporized at that stage that is more toxic or irritating.
T3S3 : Three draws. Chances are that you will still have a decent cloud, harsher, denser.
T3S4 : Four draws. Simply finishes the sesh. Still enjoyable, but the vapour is at its harshest and it seems there is not much to discover at this stage.
This last third will bring your sesh to an end and leave you to enjoy the spoils. There is a valid argument not to discount the “manure” third: cannabinoids. Many accounts place residual THC in AVB at around 25% of initial concentration. The last third might not taste that great, but it might just as well be as potent, or more potent, than the first two thirds. I don’t know.
The whole process of these 30 draws, in this manner, takes about 5 or 6 minutes. The resulting AVB will be an even deep brown colour, same colour from center to periphery. Sometimes you see on videos some AVB that is brown near the metal but much lighter, even sometimes almost greenish in the center. This uneven discoloration is not the sign of a successful use of the material in a sesh. Draws are too strong, in too rapid succession or too few.
The combination of taking your time, regularly breathing clean air in your lungs during a sesh and experiencing the soothing perceptual experience of simply vaporizing good weed makes for an unsurpassable set and setting management. It’s very doubtful that something would go wrong after that.
Further steps to elaborate a useful standard for cannabis tasting should of course consider the psycho-active effects and the way they manifest themselves. For example, the very first low impact impression of the cannabis is sometimes referred to as “saying hello” – maybe from coding, where “Hello World!” is a staple test to see if a program goes through. I have tasted some cannabis that say hello as soon as T2S4. Starting a timer right after the end of the sesh could also be useful in describing the initiation, deployment and resolution of a cannabis intake.
I found the same technique holds well for Dynavap’s Hyperdyn but, as they say in the Dynaverse, you got to respect the click. No heating further than the click. Omni, Vong or M using an armoured cap, you will only get two real “thirds”. Haven’t tried with a Vestratto TED.
A lot can be imported from the cigar world to build a solid tasting protocol that will allow more valuable exchange of personal impressions in cannabis tasting and vaporizing sesh. First, mouth to lung (MTL). This is the basis for a more or less standardized intake method for gaseous substances. The mouth might not be exactly the same from one person to another but the proportion of its inner volume to the volume of the lungs must be quite regular. Direct to lung (DTL), in my opinion has too many inconveniences for that purpose. The first one being that you don’t really “taste” much of anything, not in a complex or subtle way. Another one is that some variability can’t be controlled: lung volume, duration of draw, etc. Lastly, DTL practices often imply one or two large draws, not enough to provide for a tasting experience that accounts for how the flavor develops within a sesh.
Second, fuck combustion. Or maybe that should’ve been first. Now that we know a lot more about cannabis, how complex it is and how refined culture techniques and genetics have evolved, the only way to realistically access what our sensory organs can make of it is through vaporizing. Certainly not mixing it with burning material. In this forum this argument is a given, and I need not labour it.
There is I think an aspect of cigar tasting can be imported directly into the realm of cannabis. In the cigar world, it is customary to divide the cigar in three thirds: the hay, the divine, the manure. During its first third, "the hay", the cigar wakes up, like in the morning, not entirely there but with hints and promises. The second third is by far the best, hence the “divine”, flavour and texture are at their maximum and most enjoyable. The last third is considered somehow as the bastardized version of the cigar, less desirable, starts to taste harsh. Some just don’t smoke it.
With the proper technique, I do find the segmentation in thirds to be useful, even if not accurate with all TEDs. Furthermore, with definite sequence of MTL, one can even find surprising differences and characteristics from one draw to another. Below is a generic example with the Dani Fusion vape with a long wood stem. The Dani Fusion has an advanced click, meaning that you will likely have to go past it to get to your ideal temperature. Some view this as a drawback, I consider it a useful feature. The click signals that the device is at specific temp and you can get quite precise just by slowly counting afterwards. I count a bit more when vaporizing kief or hash.
The sesh will have three thirds, same as a cigar. Each third will deplete the TED of its extracting power, and it will have to be re-heated twice. Any given third implies 4 series of draws of increasing MTLs: 1, 2, 3, 4. So, each sesh has 30 draws, divided in thirds of ten draws that are distributed in 4 series. After a series of draws, hold in lungs should be about 5 seconds and a complete clean breath should be taken afterwards, between each series.
So we start with a Dani Fusion endowed with a medium pack of good weed that is torch heated until the upclick (heating), and then 5 seconds more. This is the timing I found was the best, with this TED, for sustaining this sesh protocol. Ideally, with any TED, the useful heat should be depleted after 10 draws (with pauses) so that the downclick (cooling) is not too far.
“T” is for “Thirds” and “S” is for “Series”:
First Third: The Hay
T1S1 : One draw. This draw will provide the purest taste of the terpenes. At this point, the weed itself is not very hot yet and only the most volatile substances will get vaporized. It might seem that there isn’t much there, but I find there is. It is a revealing prelude to what’s to come. Upon exhale, you might not see anything coming out, but you will definitely feel a subtle taste
Exhale after the 5 seconds’ hold. Then take another clean breath. Every time between series. This will serve two purposes. First, it will give time to the TED to reheat in the right places. When you draw, you take cold air in, and it cools the metal near the wind. Heat from neighboring regions takes a little time to propagate. Second, with fresh blood in the alveolus of the lungs, you will ensure that the next series of pull leads to maximum absorption.
T1S2 : Two draws. Terpenes in full bloom. That is the time to identify and chase those ethereal flavours. You still might not see anything while exhaling, but you will definitely taste it.
T1S3 : Three draws. Terpenes again, with more of a spicy hint.
T1S4 : Four draws. At this point of the first third, there isn’t much heat left in the TED. The four pulls here will get you some flavour, but not much else. It basically serves the purpose of drying the material and preparing it for the second third.
The TED should be immediately reheated after the downclick. With the Dani Fusion used as above, the downclick usually happens right after the last four draws, or need just one or two quick blows to click. If the downclick is heard during the last four draws, do not complete the series, reheat there and then.
Second Third: The Divine
T2S1 : One draw. The vapour is much thicker and flavourful than in T1. You recognize the terpenes from the first third, but with more intensity and mixed with something more. I’m not sure if the water vapour content plays a role in the tasting here
T2S2 : Two draws. This will be the most satisfying series. I find those two successive draws, the second series of the divine, to be the most representative of the best that the weed you're sampling has to offer.
T2S3 : Three draws. This will also be a notable series. The last draw might be a tad week, but this series compares well to the one before.
T2S4 : Four draws. As in the first third, the last series is not the strongest one and serves the purpose of preparing the last third.
This second third is really “divine”, it’s the best! Usually very smooth, very tasty and very potent. Like after the first third, reheat as soon as you hear the click.
Third Third : The manure
Now, for the “manure” third. At this point, the material is dry and roasted. And like coffee, when roasted, you get a quite different flavor.
T3S1 : One draw. You will definitely notice how the vapour is different. Very dense and almost smoke-like. Also very tasty, more of a roasted flavor, but it begins to be harsh.
T3S2 : Two draws. Very dense cloud, a bit harsher. I often noticed some slight irritation at the back of the throat. I first thought it might have been due to the heat: as you reheat the TED, heat propagates to the whole device. But I don’t think that’s it. Maybe there is some kind of irritant that’s being vaporized at that stage that is more toxic or irritating.
T3S3 : Three draws. Chances are that you will still have a decent cloud, harsher, denser.
T3S4 : Four draws. Simply finishes the sesh. Still enjoyable, but the vapour is at its harshest and it seems there is not much to discover at this stage.
This last third will bring your sesh to an end and leave you to enjoy the spoils. There is a valid argument not to discount the “manure” third: cannabinoids. Many accounts place residual THC in AVB at around 25% of initial concentration. The last third might not taste that great, but it might just as well be as potent, or more potent, than the first two thirds. I don’t know.
The whole process of these 30 draws, in this manner, takes about 5 or 6 minutes. The resulting AVB will be an even deep brown colour, same colour from center to periphery. Sometimes you see on videos some AVB that is brown near the metal but much lighter, even sometimes almost greenish in the center. This uneven discoloration is not the sign of a successful use of the material in a sesh. Draws are too strong, in too rapid succession or too few.
The combination of taking your time, regularly breathing clean air in your lungs during a sesh and experiencing the soothing perceptual experience of simply vaporizing good weed makes for an unsurpassable set and setting management. It’s very doubtful that something would go wrong after that.
Further steps to elaborate a useful standard for cannabis tasting should of course consider the psycho-active effects and the way they manifest themselves. For example, the very first low impact impression of the cannabis is sometimes referred to as “saying hello” – maybe from coding, where “Hello World!” is a staple test to see if a program goes through. I have tasted some cannabis that say hello as soon as T2S4. Starting a timer right after the end of the sesh could also be useful in describing the initiation, deployment and resolution of a cannabis intake.
I found the same technique holds well for Dynavap’s Hyperdyn but, as they say in the Dynaverse, you got to respect the click. No heating further than the click. Omni, Vong or M using an armoured cap, you will only get two real “thirds”. Haven’t tried with a Vestratto TED.
