We used the original Exotica coal and loved it - We decided to get the pre-cut this time and it absolutely SUCKED - It is nothing like the long sticks - It burns fast, smells bad and produces a lot of cinders - I do not recommend to it anyone -
Smells, and tastes gross - ive used a few different types of coal - coconara, romman natural wood coals - but these - - - things - - Barf! COCO NARA IS THE GUIDING LIGHT!
The original exotica finger coal had its ups and downs at one point due to watery circumstances in the distribution site, but once that was taken care of exoticas were the prime real estate of the coal market - I was excited when these came out that I finally wouldnt have to cut all my own coals down - These have a few problems: 1 - They stink - - - like grill charcoal - 2 - They set off fire alarms 3 - They left a taste even after i let them burn for about ten minutes on my stove 4 - they aren't cut to a good size - I always cut my orig - exoticas into 1/4 pieces - These 1/3 pieces are too big for a medium phunnel - They just burn everything - Stick with tried and trusted - go with originals -
I used the standard exotica only for about 2 years. When this came out I was so disappointed. The standards never had any smell to them. These ones actually set off my fire alarm, left a smell and taste. I had to go out and buy a few boxes of coconaras. Never again.
I liked Exotica Gold because they were pre-cut. I loved the fingers before but because they werent scored, they were hard to cut. Since then I have heard the new ones are scored but I like my Gold. I cant use anything else other than Exoticas Thank you Hookah-Shisha and Exotica
Very Good Coals great heat im so getting more of these
I have been a big fan of exoticas for a long time, these gold's are pretty much the same and the original exoticas though. last a little longer and arent as messy since you dont have to cut though. but for real, if you dont like these, you must be a noob and not know anything about hookah or natural coals. They go on the stove or something like it. Dont try and start them with a lighter!!!
In all my hookah smoking, I've only used 3 different coals: Golden Coals quick lights, Coco Nara, and these Exotica pre-cuts. I read all the great reviews about Exoticas, and decided I needed to try them. Unfortunately, of the 3 brands, I'd have to rank Exotica as the lowest. I find they take much longer to light than Coco Naras, and they let off a rather off-putting odor while they light, and they don't last nearly as long as either the Coco Naras or the Golden Coals, and I'm unable to get the thick, rich smoke and flavor that I get from either of the others. I do use them when one of my friends, who swears by them, comes over to smoke, but otherwise I only intend to use them if I run out of my massive supply of Golden Coals and Coco Naras. And maybe if I'm too lazy to get more Coco Naras.
These get the job done and i find they light easy using a toarch or electric stove and are usually ready by the time my bowl is packed. I still think Coco Nara Coals work the best out of everything I've used.
The reason they take forever is because you're probably setting them on the flame. I use a coal burner and they heat up faster than the chronic hookah coals (I'm using exotica naturals, NOT pre-cut). It probably tastes like charcoal because its not lit all the way through.
I own a hookah bar. I've used virtually every coal on the market these coals are the best. There is a minor ignition smell as with any coal you would put on a stove to light it's called burning. They last forever, have really high heat the whole way through, and they have no flavor once they are fully ignited. I must say though the normal kind seems to be a better deal than the gold I usually get 100 pieces out of cutting it myself.
These charcoals are a pain to light compared to the quick starts (you have to leave it on a stove, and it stinks like charcoal), and then it taints the whole bowl with the charcoal taste. Definitely unlike the description.
