Name and Format: Contrappunto – Azhad Non filtrati line (Azhad’s Elixirs) – Concentrated flavour 10 ml – received by the manufacturer
Batch: ITAEA470000120
Nico: 3 mg/ml
Used Base: 54 PG / 46 VG
Expiry date: n.a.
Devices: Kizoku Kirin tube mod + Kizoku Limit MTL RTA single coil 0.85 ohm (Kanthal A1 27 AWG) with Cotton Bacon Prime.
A few days ago I started talking to you about the new “Non filtrati” line by Azhad’s ELixirs which, in stark contrast to the modus operandi of the many Italian manufacturers of aromas and extracted tobacco e-juices, created four aromas that have been subjected a long process of settling and multiple decanting that lasted about two years, instead of being filtered as usual. It is precisely through this slow process that Azhad managed to clean up its aromas from the organic waste of tobacco leaves.
With this line, Azhad promises to restore to the vaper ancient tobacco flavors partly lost in recent years, without unduly compromising the level of cleanliness of the e-liquid. The line consists of four flavors (Gold America, Oriente, Old Times and Contrappunto) in 10 ml amber glass bottles to be diluted to 12%; therefore, you are going to have just over 83 ml of e-liquid ready for vaping from each aroma. The recommended final VPG composition is 50/50.
After talking about the excellent Old Times, today I review the aroma Contrappunto that the manufacturer describes as follows:
All’assaggio si parte con il Latakia, ma repentini gli orientali si intromettono accompagnati da un giusto pizzico di Burley ad esaltarne le note speziate, così mentre tabacchi turchi e Virginia americano si aprono sulla lingua e nel palato, il Cavendish si accomoda in un lungo retrogusto. Contrappunto un nome non a caso.
Tasting starts with Latakia, but the Orientals suddenly intrude accompanied by a proper pinch of Burley to enhance its spicy notes, so while Turkish tobaccos and American Virginia open on the tongue and on the palate, Cavendish takes a long time aftertaste. Contrappunto a name not by chance.
SMELL TEST
On the smell the strength of Latakia immediately stands out decisively, leaving a clear and indelible stamp on the entire aromatic structure of this e-juice. Smoky and intense hints emerge boldly from the bottle, dampening any other tobacco desire in the bud. I allow myself repeated sniffs from the bottle interspersed with breaks of a few minutes to find out if my nostrils, once addicted to the scent of the bursting Latakia, manage to perceive some other typical note attributable to the other numerous tobaccos mentioned in the description.
The attempt is in vain, Latakia wins the smell test by technical KO and so I decide to catapult myself on the decisive vape test.
For the vape test I decided to reuse the eclectic and versatile Limit MTL RTA by Kizoku, already used in the Old Times test. I prepared a 0,85 ohm coil with Kanthal A1 27 awg.
VAPE TEST
The dances begin with a woody and smoked Latakia that enters the scene in a peremptory way as a true first actor. It is a full-bodied and masculine Latakia that directs the vape on rather dark tones, but not enough to completely occupy the aromatic scenario of this mixture. Azhad offers us a generous Latakia, willing to embrace the most delicate hints and nuances that emerge immediately after the initial moments of inspiration.
In fact, the aromatic fan opens quite a lot in the central phase of the puff and has a complex though not completely new bouquet. The score is rounded and reveals delicate spicy and straw notes seasoned with a pinch of acidity. And it is precisely in these moments that Contrappunto does not struggle to show its Balkan features with perfumes and insertions that unite it precisely to a classic Balkan mixture.
As in the case of Old Times, even with Contrappunto I am struck by the sense of rustic and “home-made” that comes out with every puff, and which increases beyond any reasonable doubt the value of the aromatic structure of this blend. At the end of the puff, during the exhalation, thanks to the subtle presence of Cavendish, the soft and sweet nuances of the entire score are accentuated, already felt in the well-known sweetish background typical of Latakia. The bouquet tends to amalgamate towards a large and intense sweet embrace.
Flavors not entirely unknown but unquestionably ancient resurface with pride vaping Contrappunto. Vigorous but at the same time sweet and harmonious. Everything is the opposite of everything: precisely counterpoint!
—
Suggested dilution: 12%
Steeping time: ready to vape, recommended 15 days
Pro: Full-bodied, dark and sweet: a charming balkan blend
Cons: It is not easy to find the right device that does not make its structure a little too amalgamated
