Does the difference between a live resin and a distillate vape cart really matter? For many, there’s a whole world of difference. While they may look similar in some respects, these two products make for distinctly different experiences. This handy field guide will help you discern live resin from distillate and determine which choice is best for your needs.
Live resin vs. distillate vape cartridges
Both liquid live resin (LLR) and distillate vape cartridges work the same way, where a heating element transforms the concentrate inside the cart into a vapor you inhale. They are discreet. Both are also highly potent. But that’s where the similarities end.
Live resin is a broad spectrum extract, which means it contains a robust range of cannabinoids and terpenes found in the plant. Distillate is a nearly pure version of a specific cannabinoid with virtually no other compounds present. In New Jersey dispensaries, this is almost always THC.’
As a result, the experience you can expect when consuming live resin and distillate vape cartridges will be very different, even though the consumption method is identical.
What to expect from live resin
When you consume live resin, you can expect a potent consumption experience that’s bursting with rich flavors and enticing aromas.
Live resin is extremely potent in terms of delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, often exceeding 90% THC. It also usually retains minor cannabinoids like Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabigerol (CBG), or Cannabinol (CBN), depending on the strain. However, these cannabinoids are found in much smaller amounts than THC.
In addition, live resin retains a greater degree of terpenes than other types of concentrates. Terpenes are responsible for the flavors and smells a cannabis strain gives off, which is why the live resin experience is more flavorful and aromatic. These compounds may also be responsible for some of the effects you feel when consuming cannabis.
Precisely which smells, tastes, and effects you can expect depends on the strain from which the live resin was made and the precise combination of terpenes, so be sure to check the test results before buying.
Learn more about terpenes and how they work in our guide to cannabis terpenes.
Who should choose live resin vape cartridges?
- If you want to experience terpenes: Live resin maintains the original terpene profile of the strain used to make it. That makes it an ideal choice for consumers who like comparing the tastes and smells of various strains of cannabis. It also makes vape selection easy if you prefer specific combinations of terpenes.
- If you want to experience all of the plant: When a cannabis product contains many different cannabinoids, it’s said to be “broad spectrum.” This is important because of the way these cannabinoids interact with one another, which is often referred to as the entourage effect. In some cases, the entourage effect may result in a more therapeutic or enjoyable experience for consumers, so many prefer broad spectrum products.
How live resin is made
Live resin is made from freshly harvested or fresh frozen cannabis flower, which serves to retain peak cannabinoid and terpene content. That’s what makes it such a flavorful extract, with tastes that closely resemble the strain from which it was made.
The cannabis flower is then combined with a solvent, typically a hydrocarbon like butane or propane (or a combination of both). Hydrocarbons are ideal solvents for the production of live resin because they boil at very low temperatures, preserving the vast majority of the heat-sensitive cannabinoids and terpenes.
The solvent pulls compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material, as well as lipids, waxes, and fats. This process can also be conducted with non-hydrocarbon solvents like ethanol if the manufacturer chooses.
The resulting solution is then put through a process known as “winterization,” which removes the unwanted compounds and leaves behind live resin and solvents. The solvents are then removed by boiling them off.
Once the residual solvent is removed from the extract, it’s live resin that remains. However, there’s still one more step before live resin can be put inside a vape cartridge. Live resin is thick and sticky, so it needs to be liquified before it can fill a vape cartridge. That can be done by adding terpene viscosity agents or similar additives following extraction. That’s why live resin vapes may sometimes be called liquid live resin, or LLR, vapes.
What to expect from distillate
Distillate is an extract that contains a single cannabinoid and is virtually pure, ranging from 95 to 99 percent potency and containing no other cannabinoids or terpenes. Where live resin is a broad spectrum cannabis product, distillate is a cannabis isolate.
What you should expect from a distillate vape cart largely depends on the cannabinoid you choose. If you purchase THC isolate, for example, you can expect a very potent intoxicating experience. There are also vapes made from CBD isolate, but you’re highly unlikely to find those in a dispensary.
Who should choose distillate vape cartridges?
If THC is what you’re after, a distillate vape cart is right for you. Such high levels of THC will go a long way. They’re also a great choice if you want an odorless and flavorless product. However, that’s not the case across the board — you’re likely to find distillate vape carts with terpenes added back in to support certain experiences.
How distillate is made
To make distillate, manufacturers typically begin with similar extraction methods that are used to produce live resin, such as hydrocarbon or ethanol extraction. However, once the extract has been produced, it is subjected to a process called short path distillation.
This process separates individual compounds by using precise temperature and pressure to boil and separate a specific compound. Using short path distillation, manufacturers can isolate individual cannabinoids to produce distillate like THC isolate or CBD isolate — or isolate of any other cannabinoid they choose.
The resulting isolate is generally colorless and tasteless, being devoid of terpenes or any other compounds. That makes distillate the perfect backdrop for creating products that elicit specific effects.
Live resin vape carts at Boone Town Provisions
If the potent, flavorful, broad spectrum experience that live resin vape carts offer sounds appealing to you, you’re in luck at Boone Town Provisions. We carry some of the leading brands that New Jersey has to offer, and some of the most popular strains of live resin.
Here’s a look at some of what’s on our menu lately:
- MPX: Melting Point Extracts is focused on precision and meticulous attention to detail in their extraction processes. Taste the quality MPX brings to dispensary shelves with The Bling live resin vape cart.
- Noir: Focused on producing vape cartridges and other vaping products, you can trust Noir to deliver top notch hardware for a smooth, enjoyable vaping experience. They also have great options to choose from, like their Cataract Kush live resin vape cart, Georgia Pine live resin vape cart, and The Soap live resin vape cart.
- ONYX: This woman-owned brand is another New Jersey native out of Vernon, NJ, and it delivers when it comes to quality and taste. We recommend trying their Caramel Cream live resin vape cart, Pound Town live resin vape cart, or Golden State Banana live resin vape cart.
- Rythm: Rythm’s products are already known for high terpene content, so you can expect truly flavorful live resin. Among our favorites from the brand are its Sour Diesel live resin vape cart and White Durban live resin vape cart.
Be sure to check out our full vaporizers menu to see if we’ve added anything else that piques your interest. We’re always looking to expand our selection to make sure we offer the very best cannabis products in the Garden State.
Whatever your preference, mosey on down to Boone Town
Whether you’re looking for live resin carts, premium cannabis flower, top shelf edibles, or something else altogether, Boone Town Provisions has got just the thing for your journey. The next time you need to stock up, whether you’re planning a lengthy expedition or hanging out at basecamp, we’ve got you covered. Stop by to peruse our sprawling inventory or ask our budtenders for a recommendation — we can’t wait to see you.
