the smart pots are going to pay off, we have been having good results with these.
I started with 15 seeds, I got 3 phenotypes (a short stocky indica, the type you have pictured, and one that looks like the one you have picture but with much wider leaves and a citrus flavor) - the one you have is the most common for me - the vanilla flavor/smell one is the one you have - the yield is not all that great really but the potency is very good, it matures quickly, looks much better in flower, multi-colored with some purple calyx and very frosty.
Yes it is kind of fluffy but I wouldnt call it "very fluffy", it is like medium. I know exactly what someguy is talking about, hydroponic buds are generally more full'ish but airpots rival hydroponics in my experience as I grow in DWC and soil - these buds are the same consistency its just the hydro buds are bigger (don't think fluffiness is the best word for describing hydro vs soil results) - I think it could be argued actually that hydro buds are "more fluffy" in some scenarios.
I have to say I have been very pleased with my venture into hydro and it can be rewarding but really using huge pots of really good soil in airpots can pay off also. I think to each his own, hydro is good from some aspects but soil can still give you great succusses especialy using quality soil and big pots with training - but really its worth it to give hydro a shot if you haven't.
Oh yeah ask murfey how big his buds are in the airpots hes got some monsters right now, he smoked this vanilla kush pheno also.