Resin vs. Distillate: What’s The Difference?

If you’ve been hitting carts or AIOs for a while, you’ve probably heard people talk about “live resin” or “distillate” like they’re totally different experiences—and they are. Both have their place, but knowing what you’re smoking makes a big difference when you're choosing between flavor, potency, and overall effects.

Here’s a breakdown of what sets them apart and why resin is starting to take over New York’s vape scene—especially with the launch of New York Honey’s new resin AIO lineup.

What Is Resin?

Resin is a concentrate made from fresh frozen cannabis flower. Unlike distillate, which starts with dried and cured bud and gets stripped down to isolate THC, resin preserves a full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes. The result is a thicker oil that stays true to the original plant's flavor, smell, and effects.

Live resin is extracted using hydrocarbon methods (usually butane or propane), which helps retain high levels of terpenes—compounds that shape how a strain tastes, smells, and hits. You’ll find deeper citrus, pine, spice, or fruit notes depending on the cultivar, and those terps actually shape how the high feels in your body and head.

Distillate Is THC-Heavy, But Flat

Distillate is the stripped-down version. It’s made by refining cannabis oil until it’s almost pure THC, then adding back flavoring—usually botanical or cannabis-derived terpenes. It’s consistent and potent, but lacks the depth and nuance of resin. You’ll get the high, but not the full experience of the plant.

So why is resin showing up everywhere now? Because people are over one-note vapes, they’re looking for more. Resin gives you a cleaner, fuller high that feels more like smoking actual flower. It doesn’t just hit hard—it hits with character.

New York Honey's New Resin AIO Vapes

New York Honey recently launched a new line of resin-based All In One (AIO) vapes, and they’re now available across licensed shops in New York. These aren’t distillate blends—they’re real resin, with full terpene profiles and that thicker, richer consistency you can taste from the first pull. You’ll notice the difference immediately if you’ve only been using standard carts.

Each strain in the lineup brings its own terpene fingerprint, and because the oil hasn’t been stripped or re-flavored, the experience feels closer to the original flower it came from—just in a cleaner, portable format.

If you’re looking for something with actual depth, resin is where to start. Ask your shop what New York Honey flavors are in stock and make the switch.