High End

Choosing a statement shisha

These shishas stand out for their materials, handwork or limited numbers. Before you choose, think about where it will live, how many people will use it and what kind of draw you enjoy.

Materials and finish

• Wood and steel: Wookah shishas, made in Poland, combine a wooden body with V2A stainless steel and a glass vase. Some, like the Lumi Red, even glow in the dark. Regal hookahs, such as the Cavalier, pair CNC metalwork with wood handmade in California.
• Sculpted stainless steel: makers such as Maklaud and Union Hookah treat the shisha as a centrepiece, for example the Union Argument shaped like a baseball bat or the Shi Carver Revolver.
• Coated finishes: some models add a titanium coating, as on the Maxx Royal, or a titanium nitride gold, as on the Alpha Hookah X Gold.

Draw and features

Regal hookahs have no diffuser and are known for an open draw. The HKY Steel X Orlinski lets you choose, with a light downstem for an easy, modern draw and a heavy one for a more traditional feel. Look out for features like an adjustable draw, extra hose ports or a built-in molasses catcher, all found on the Aeon Edition 5 Premium Plus.

Size, sets and collector pieces

Heights vary a lot, from tall classic shapes like the 78cm Embery Wood Envolve to portable designs such as the Kaloud Krysalis Calix. Kaloud Krysalis sets bundle the hookah with a bowl, adapter and Lotus III, so you can start straight away. For collectors, the HKY Steel X Orlinski Exclusive Limited Edition is one of 100, each signed by the artist Richard Orlinski. See more from Kaloud, Wookah and Embery.

Questions

Which ones have an open draw?

Regal hookahs, including the Cavalier, have no diffuser and are known for an open draw. Many Russian-made models also aim for a classic pull.

Can I change how the HKY Steel X Orlinski draws?

Yes. It comes with two downstems: light for an easy, modern draw and heavy for a more intense, traditional one.

What comes in a Krysalis set?

The Krysalis Calix set, for example, includes the Calix hookah, a Krysalis Edition Samsaris Vitria III bowl, a bowl adapter and the Lotus III heat management device.