Despite using FA's flavors for years, I'm FINALLY getting around to doing some SFT on them. A huge thanks out to @drew1 from BCF for sending these new flavors my way for testing. Mixing them now, and am finalizing the steep time(s).
Mixing Now .........
**Amarula (FA) 2.5% (6-4-21)** -- FIRST one on deck from FA's NEW flavor releases. Ama what ?? Yes, Amarula. If you've never had it, it is a creamy liquor from the African Marula fruit. I've only ever tried [one brand](https://thedrinkblog.com/amarula-cream/), which is aged in oak barrels, and Flavor Art PERFECTLY captured this one, and I have no clue how they did it. The most common description would be a combination of Baileys Cream and an almost Grapefruit (not exactly) like citrus note. I don't think I can improve on that widely used comparison. The fruit component is grapefruit-like, but unique enough to avoid a closer comparison. The mid and back end cream notes are very Baileys-like, and are paired perfectly with the citrus. Throughout testing this one, I did get an almost smoky lower end note on the finish, with maybe a smidge of bitterness, but, it in no way detracted from the overall flavor or experience. Wow, I hate to use "unique" so early in the run, but it IS. I can think of no other close comparison flavor, so this one would be a great choice for something new and unique. The interesting thing was the citruis and cream notes stayed perfectly balanced from beginning to end, with a sometimes smoky, slightly bitter finish. Nothing out of place, off-putting, and sweetness was below mid level, which really kept this interesting from beginning ot end. It's actually rekindling my need to dash out and grab a bottle, and that's saying something. First one from FA was a homerun. Hard to detract from this one, and it felt very good @ **9.65/10**.
**Banana Candy (FA) 2.5% (6-4-21)** -- I was expecting a traditional "runt" with this one, but instead I was greeted with a nice, unobtrusive artificial banana instead. Now, runts ARE artificial, but most I've tried were fairly "in your face", and had an almost acetone like note, whereas this one, was much more of an even keeled, relaxed banana. It def. wasn't a natural and did lean artificial, and the "candy" will be subjective to the individual. I didn't get an overt candy-ness from it, and sweetness was below mid level, which was surprising for a "candy" flavor. It was very smooth from start to finish, but not creamy. Convincing, tasty, but not as punchy as a traditional "runt". No off-putting notes, and felt fairly relaxed at this testing weight. Because of it's more "relaxed" nature, you would be able to use it more often than not. No real takeoffs other than relaxed nature, and somewhat lacking candy notes. Convincingly good, and leaving it at a **7/10**.
**Cheesecake Olympus (FA) 2.5% (6-4-21)** -- I'm assuming the Olympus was paying homage to the actual origination of cheesecake in Ancient Greece, a little known fact, thanks to New Yorkers. Unlike many Cheesecakes, I did not get an overwhelming sense of a graham cracker crust in this one, but it still COULD be in there. VERY creamy, smooth, and delicious cheesecake is what you get with this one. No BA, and lacking most, if not all acidity, it worked along the lines of LA's Cheesecake, more than any other. Missing were the sometimes pungent sharp cheesy notes, but in their place, was just a very velvety smooth cheesecake experience. I almost did get a crust on the bottom, just lingering in/out of sight, which really kept this one interesting. One of the more unique cheesecakes, and probably the smooth creaminess would be the biggest take-away. Great at this testing weight, nicely sweetened, no off putting notes, and will be easily usable. By adding TPA's CGC, or CAP's NYC you easily shit this one around as/if needed. Going to finish the tester on this one, to get more creamy smootness. Creamily at **9.4/10**.
**Cherry Juice (FA) 2.5% (6-4-21)** -- Testing this one at what will probably be close to the upper limit worked out nicely, with no soap, perfume, or medicinal side effects. At about mid level sweet, this cherry definitely portrayed a "juice". Not sure how they did it, but it worked/works. Not a "juicy" cherry, but a cherry "juice", and they got it right. It didn't come across as a bright red, or maraschino, but had aspects of them, and it also wasn't a black cherry. It almost presented as maybe a medley of sorts, and that'll probably increase it's usefulness, and broaden it's range. As a cherry, it was very convincing, with no off-putting notes, and rode about mid level sweet. It had some slight similarities with FW Cherry Crush, but only slightly. While having some tartness, it was not a tart cherry. Overall, a convincing cherry, and indeed a cherry juice at that. While not off putting at 2.5%, I'd recommend more of a 1.5-2.0% just to be safe. Nicely sitting at **8.5/10**.
**Costa Rica Pineapple (FA) 2.5% (6-4-21)** -- I've never eaten a Costa Rican Pineapple that I'm aware of, so wasn't sure how this would compare to my regulars. At 2.5% it presented as a nice and full pineapple, with plenty of low and mid notes, but lacking some of the high end punch. While looking around for mixing info, I saw someone mention it was lacking acidic notes, which seems accurate as well. Not terrible, but with the lack of bright, and high end punchy notes in a solo, it is unclear how it would hold up in a mix. Clearly it could be boosted/bolstered with other PA's. Because it only had low and mid notes, at times it almost tasted like a papaya. No off notes, just the aforementioned missing ones would be the only take offs. Leaving this one at **6.5/10**.
Mixing Now .........
**Amarula (FA) 2.5% (6-4-21)** -- FIRST one on deck from FA's NEW flavor releases. Ama what ?? Yes, Amarula. If you've never had it, it is a creamy liquor from the African Marula fruit. I've only ever tried [one brand](https://thedrinkblog.com/amarula-cream/), which is aged in oak barrels, and Flavor Art PERFECTLY captured this one, and I have no clue how they did it. The most common description would be a combination of Baileys Cream and an almost Grapefruit (not exactly) like citrus note. I don't think I can improve on that widely used comparison. The fruit component is grapefruit-like, but unique enough to avoid a closer comparison. The mid and back end cream notes are very Baileys-like, and are paired perfectly with the citrus. Throughout testing this one, I did get an almost smoky lower end note on the finish, with maybe a smidge of bitterness, but, it in no way detracted from the overall flavor or experience. Wow, I hate to use "unique" so early in the run, but it IS. I can think of no other close comparison flavor, so this one would be a great choice for something new and unique. The interesting thing was the citruis and cream notes stayed perfectly balanced from beginning to end, with a sometimes smoky, slightly bitter finish. Nothing out of place, off-putting, and sweetness was below mid level, which really kept this interesting from beginning ot end. It's actually rekindling my need to dash out and grab a bottle, and that's saying something. First one from FA was a homerun. Hard to detract from this one, and it felt very good @ **9.65/10**.
**Banana Candy (FA) 2.5% (6-4-21)** -- I was expecting a traditional "runt" with this one, but instead I was greeted with a nice, unobtrusive artificial banana instead. Now, runts ARE artificial, but most I've tried were fairly "in your face", and had an almost acetone like note, whereas this one, was much more of an even keeled, relaxed banana. It def. wasn't a natural and did lean artificial, and the "candy" will be subjective to the individual. I didn't get an overt candy-ness from it, and sweetness was below mid level, which was surprising for a "candy" flavor. It was very smooth from start to finish, but not creamy. Convincing, tasty, but not as punchy as a traditional "runt". No off-putting notes, and felt fairly relaxed at this testing weight. Because of it's more "relaxed" nature, you would be able to use it more often than not. No real takeoffs other than relaxed nature, and somewhat lacking candy notes. Convincingly good, and leaving it at a **7/10**.
**Cheesecake Olympus (FA) 2.5% (6-4-21)** -- I'm assuming the Olympus was paying homage to the actual origination of cheesecake in Ancient Greece, a little known fact, thanks to New Yorkers. Unlike many Cheesecakes, I did not get an overwhelming sense of a graham cracker crust in this one, but it still COULD be in there. VERY creamy, smooth, and delicious cheesecake is what you get with this one. No BA, and lacking most, if not all acidity, it worked along the lines of LA's Cheesecake, more than any other. Missing were the sometimes pungent sharp cheesy notes, but in their place, was just a very velvety smooth cheesecake experience. I almost did get a crust on the bottom, just lingering in/out of sight, which really kept this one interesting. One of the more unique cheesecakes, and probably the smooth creaminess would be the biggest take-away. Great at this testing weight, nicely sweetened, no off putting notes, and will be easily usable. By adding TPA's CGC, or CAP's NYC you easily shit this one around as/if needed. Going to finish the tester on this one, to get more creamy smootness. Creamily at **9.4/10**.
**Cherry Juice (FA) 2.5% (6-4-21)** -- Testing this one at what will probably be close to the upper limit worked out nicely, with no soap, perfume, or medicinal side effects. At about mid level sweet, this cherry definitely portrayed a "juice". Not sure how they did it, but it worked/works. Not a "juicy" cherry, but a cherry "juice", and they got it right. It didn't come across as a bright red, or maraschino, but had aspects of them, and it also wasn't a black cherry. It almost presented as maybe a medley of sorts, and that'll probably increase it's usefulness, and broaden it's range. As a cherry, it was very convincing, with no off-putting notes, and rode about mid level sweet. It had some slight similarities with FW Cherry Crush, but only slightly. While having some tartness, it was not a tart cherry. Overall, a convincing cherry, and indeed a cherry juice at that. While not off putting at 2.5%, I'd recommend more of a 1.5-2.0% just to be safe. Nicely sitting at **8.5/10**.
**Costa Rica Pineapple (FA) 2.5% (6-4-21)** -- I've never eaten a Costa Rican Pineapple that I'm aware of, so wasn't sure how this would compare to my regulars. At 2.5% it presented as a nice and full pineapple, with plenty of low and mid notes, but lacking some of the high end punch. While looking around for mixing info, I saw someone mention it was lacking acidic notes, which seems accurate as well. Not terrible, but with the lack of bright, and high end punchy notes in a solo, it is unclear how it would hold up in a mix. Clearly it could be boosted/bolstered with other PA's. Because it only had low and mid notes, at times it almost tasted like a papaya. No off notes, just the aforementioned missing ones would be the only take offs. Leaving this one at **6.5/10**.