Live Resin vs. Distillate Vape Carts: What’s The Difference?

For many, the cannabis experience differs substantially when using live resin vape carts or distillate vape carts. While these types of vape carts may look similar in some respects, these two products mostly don’t overlap. This handy field guide will help you discern distillate and live resin to determine which choice is best for your needs.

Live resin vs. distillate

Both liquid live resin (LLR) and distillate vape cartridges work the same way: 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 between these forms of cannabis end.

Cannabinoid content

Live resin is a broad-spectrum extract, which means it contains a robust range of cannabinoids and terpenes found in the cannabis plant. Distillate is a nearly pure version of a specific cannabinoid with virtually no other compounds present. In New Jersey dispensaries, this cannabinoid is almost always delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), heralded for its intoxicating effects. As a result, the experience you can expect when consuming live resin and distillate vape cartridges will be very different, even though the consumption is identical.

Extraction process

Live resin is made from freshly harvested or fresh frozen cannabis flower, which serves to retain peak cannabinoid and terpene content. To make distillate, manufacturers typically begin with extraction methods similar to those used to produce live resin, such as hydrocarbon or ethanol extraction. However, once the extract has been produced, it is subjected to an additional process called short-path distillation.

Flavor and aroma

Since a live resin product is derived from harvested or fresh frozen flower, it’s a highly flavorful extract. Live resin retains a greater degree of terpenes than other types of cannabis 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.

Learn more about terpenes and how they work in our guide to cannabis terpenes.

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. Conversely, cannabis distillate’s extraction process renders it generally colorless and tasteless, and thus devoid of terpenes or any other compounds.

Consistency and texture

Live resin is thick and sticky, so it needs to be liquified before it can fill a vape cartridge. The usual way to solve this problem is to add terpene viscosity agents or similar additives following extraction. That’s why live resin vapes may sometimes be called liquid live resin, or LLR, vapes. By comparison, distillate takes on a viscous, oily consistency from the very start.

Potency

When you consume live resin, you can expect a potent consumption experience that’s bursting with rich flavors and enticing aromas. Live resin’s cannabis content ranges from 40 to 90 percent THC, and it 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. Live resin extracts also retain terpenes, which may also be responsible for some of the effects you feel when consuming cannabis.

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. Such high levels of THC will go a long way — distillate ranges from 95 to 99 percent potency and contains no other cannabinoids or terpenes. Where live resin is a broad-spectrum cannabis product, distillate is a cannabis isolate. (There are also vapes made from CBD isolate, but you’re highly unlikely to find those in a dispensary.)

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, as live resin does, 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.

More information about how live resin is made

After flower is freshly harvested or frozen to make live resin, the flower is 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, terpene viscosity agents are added.

Who should choose distillate vape cartridges?

If THC is what you’re after, a distillate vape cart is right for you. 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.

More information about how distillate is made

Short-path distillation separates compounds by using precise temperature and pressure to boil and separate a specific compound. Manufacturers use this method to isolate individual cannabinoids to produce distillate like THC isolate or CBD isolate — or isolate of any other cannabinoid they choose. 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:

• Bloom: This vape brand’s solventless extraction results in live rosin with 95% of terpenes preserved. Taste the quality Bloom brings to dispensary shelves with its Durban Gelato live resin vape cart or Rainbow Z disposable live resin vape.
• 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 ONYX’s Dream Queen vape.
• Rove. This iconic brand brings live resin — and their own vape cart system — to New Jersey. Classic hits like Blue Dream and Skywalker OG are available.

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.

FAQs about live resin vs. distillate

Which costs more, live resin or distillate?

In most cases, live resin costs a bit more since its manufacturing processes are more involved and rigorous.

Is live resin or distillate better for new cannabis consumers?

Live resin introduces you to the full flavors of the plant in vape form, while distillate is solely THC. In either case, though, if you’re new to cannabis, go slow. Vapes have a much higher THC percentage than flower or pre-rolls, so they take getting used to.

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.