What does double apple shisha tobacco taste like?
Double apple tastes like two apples and a secret: the blend of red and green apple gets a spicy, slightly licorice-like depth from anise that no other fruit flavor has. The benchmark has been set for decades by Al Fakher – with us as The Double Crunch and in the more intense flavor version Double kick. A more modern interpretation Aino Don app and Tumbaki Double App the topic, while Darkside Doppelganger lifts the classic onto a dark base and Kismet Black Apple 19 backs it with honey. The exception: Brohood Nemesis pushes additional spices into the mix.
Our flavor profile for double apple compared:
- Sweetness: 3 out of 5 – ripe apple sweetness, never candy-like
- Acid: 2 of 5 – the green apple only flashes up in the background
- Freshness: 2 of 5 – anise cools lightly, but that's not really a freshness flavor
- Strength: 3 of 5 – the classics are bright and mild, the modern interpretations turn it up
- Smoke development: 4 of 5 – even the traditional flavors deliver rich clouds
The best double apple varieties at HookahX
Which brands make double apple tobacco?
On Al Fakher there's no way around them for double apple – no other brand defines the flavor as much, and none offers more variants of it with us. Grouped around them are Aino and Tumbaki with modern interpretations, Adalya as a Turkish traditionalist as well as Darkside and Kismet for the bold line. Unlike pure apple, the field here is mostly Virginia-based and thus classically mild – for anyone who wants the traditional taste as Darkblend wants that reaches for Doppelganger or the Kismet Honey Blends.
Setup recommendation for Double Apple shisha tobacco
Double apple thrives on even, moderate heat: loose and fluffy in the Phunnel, about 15–22 g depending on head size, 2–3 mm distance to the smokebox (HMD). The HMD keeps the heat more constant and easier to control than foil – the anise note in particular turns sharp and bitter quickly when overheated, so it's better to start with less charcoal and adjust as you go. Natural charcoal instead of quick-light is a must, otherwise the chemicals will overpower the delicate spice note.
For dark representatives like Darkside Doppelganger, the dark-blend rule applies: pack fluffy to semi-dense, start with reduced heat – packing a bit denser smooths out the nicotine kick.
Which one suits you?
Mixing double apple – the best combinations
- Double apple + Anise (80/20): For licorice fans: a dash of pure anise boosts exactly the spice note that makes double apple what it is – dose sparingly, anise carries far.
- Double apple + apple (50/50): Fresh green apple loosens up the heavy classic – the mix stays oriental but tastes noticeably fruitier and more modern.
- Double apple + spices (70/30): With one spice flavor, double apple becomes an oriental head – flavors like Brohood Nemesis show ready-mixed how well that works.
Related flavors
Aniseed Apple Spices Cinnamon Pastry
Frequently asked questions about double apple shisha tobacco
What kind of flavor is double apple?
Double Apple combines red and green apple with a distinct anise note – hence the spicy, slightly licorice-like undertone that no other fruit flavor has. The flavor comes from oriental shisha tradition and is still considered THE classic to this day.
Which double apple shisha tobacco is the best?
The benchmark is Al Fakher The Double Crunch – no other double apple is bought more often by us. If you want the flavor louder, go for Al Fakher Double Kick; if you prefer it more modern, Aino Don App. On a honey base, Kismet Black Apple 19 is the most exciting alternative.
Why does double apple taste like licorice?
The licorice impression comes from the anise, which traditionally belongs in every double apple blend. Depending on the flavor, it's subtle as with Al Fakher or clearly pronounced as with Aino Don App. If you love the effect, you can add a dash of pure anise tobacco to boost it – if you'd rather avoid it, go for pure apple tobacco instead.
What can I mix double apple with?
The classic partners are pure anise for even more spice, green apple for freshness, and spice flavors for an oriental head. Double apple, however, is itself already a complete composition – many people smoke it deliberately pure, to avoid diluting the traditional profile.
Is double apple tobacco strong or mild?
The classics from Al Fakher and Adalya are built on a light Virginia base and smoke pleasantly mild – ideal for beginners too. That doesn't change with Al Fakher Double Kick either: the name refers to the more intensely blended flavor, the base stays light. You'll only feel a noticeably stronger nicotine kick with Darkside Doppelganger and the Kismet Honey blends, which lift the traditional flavor onto a dark base.
Is there double apple in small sampler sizes?
Yes, several times over: Al Fakher The Double Crunch, Adalya The Two App and Brohood Nemesis are available as small cans, Loyal DAP #3 is even the cheapest entry into the whole genre. This way you find your double-apple direction before the large can moves in.
