Having tested most of Shane's outstanding natural fruit flavors, I kept seeing mention of his newer creams, bakeries, etc., and couldn't NOT get into them. I placed an order on the site, and Shane hit me back, and said he was going to throw in some new ones as well !!!! Looks like this one's gonna be a big one, with 19 flavors to test.
Having tested most of Shane's outstanding natural fruit flavors, I kept seeing mention of his newer creams, bakeries, etc., and couldn't NOT get into them. I placed an order on the site, and Shane hit me back, and said he was going to throw in some new ones as well !!!! Looks like this one's gonna be a big one, with 19 flavors to test.
*Disclaimer -- After placing my original order Shane, threw in a couple of free extras*
All testing done at the listed percentages below, on my SteamCrave RDTA v.1 with dual vertical Kanthal 24ga. 7 wrap coils, at 65 watts. All flavors steeped 2 weeks +.
Check out my original VSO Single Flavor and Blends tests here.
Having not been on the VSO Flavors site in a bit, I was blown away by Shane's new(er) offerings, and now we'll help bring them all into the limelight.
Steep times, and testing percentages are being finalized now, so STAY TUNED !!!!
**Barbarian Cream (VSO) 3% (5-26-22)** -- Let's start this "Part II" off with a BANG !!!! OK, I will admit to being somewhat fascinated by the "Barbarian" in the name, and I don't know if Shane was making a play on a "Bavarian" or not. Needless to say, I don't think I got any Barbarian, OR Bavarian from this one, BUT, I did get an utterly deliciously smooth desert cream, blanketed in a light, and creamy vanilla. First things first, this one is VERY unique, and unlike any other MFG's creams, so that may ALREADY put it on your list, and on your racks. I think I got some of this flavor in another One-Shot/Blend from VSO, but that was the ONLY time I have tasted this before. VERY creamy, and smooth, and not really in a Custard or Pudding profile. More pudding LIKE, but not a pudding by any stretch. Barely (if any) eggy notes, in the flavor left it far more of a desert creamery than anything else. The utter, and complete silky smoothness of the cream and vanilla notes could not be overstated, AND, at 3% it did it easily, and all day long. Trying to find a "similar" flavor was almost impossible, BUT, FA Custard did have SOME similarities, but they were still fairly worlds apart. What was interesting was how fresh it tasted, WHILE at the same time exuding a velvety smooth and creamy main body, and again, just wrapped in a light, yet fulfilling vanilla blanket. I could see LOTS of uses for this in Custards, Puddings, and anything else, where you needed a clean, creamy vanilla. It was very full at 3%, but not overpowering, and I could find nothing off-putting, or anything that I could even remotely nit-pick on. Taste is subjective, and as always, everyone's tastes are different, but this one was a hit for me, and a great way to start off this series. I can think of no better way to sum this one up, than a velvety smooth desert cream, with great vanilla notes, and a very light (if any) egg-ness. Very unique, and hard to put down, and YES, it's a tester tank finisher for sure. **9.8/10**.
**Black Licorice (VSO) 2.5% (5-27-22)** -- I was reluctant to test this one, as I am NOT a fan of Black Licorice, probably due to "issues" arising from Jagermeister, and NyQuil, BUT, the tests MUST go on. Without delving into the many NOT quite Black Licorice flavors and candies that rely on Anise, and Fennel, this one WAS very accurate. It was somewhat relaxed @ 2.5%, and could probably be pushed higher, maybe 0.5-1.0% if you needed, and please remember, this is coming from a non BL user. Nothing bitter or out of place, and sweetness was a few ticks below mid level. All in, it was a VERY accurate flavor, and if you are in need for a natural Black Licorice, this one WILL work for you. No real take offs except for a somewhat relaxed nature, which could probably be overcome by increasing the usage rate. Easily a **9.1/10**.
**Butter (VSO) 2.5% (5-27-22)** -- I know, I know. Who tests JUST Butter ? LOL, I do it for YOU guys. O.k. I'm going to have to go through my database, as I think I've only solo'd ONE Butter before. It can be hard to quantify, off-putting, even disturbing, depending on the flavor. Butters are very often used, but seldom solo tested. I was QUITE surprised on this one, as it did NOT blow my face off, and was actually a delicious flavor solo'd. It presented as a clean, natural (wait for it....) slightly sweetened, unsalted, sweet cream butter. Try saying THAT five times fast. Yes, that's what it presented as, and that pushed it right into the fairly unique category. No harsh artificial "Movie Theater" butter here, and honestly no artificial notes to be found either. To better understand, you need to know what Sweet Cream Butter is . That in and of itself doesn't mean "sweet", but this one was slightly sweetened. About half way to mid-level sweet, and that worked out nicely. Despite looking for it, I couldn't pick up on any salt, or "salted" to it, and that really helped push the "Sweet Creamery"-ness. Fresh, clean, non-greasy, and tasty were terms that kept coming to mind while testing this one. If you are looking for an artifical "Butter Brick" to the face, this isn't the one for you. If you want a cleaner, more accurate Sweet Creamery Butter, then this one IS the one for you. I didn't detect any ceiling smashing at 2.5%, and you could probably push it up 0.5% or more depending on your needs. Going into this, I was hesitant, but after finishing, I was glad I tested it, as I HAD been prepared for a heavy handed butter, but was surprised to find how much I liked this cleaner, more natural, creamery butter. Get your clean creamery on with this one, **9.2/10**.
**Cake (VSO) 4% (5-27-22)** -- Now who doesn't love cake ?? !!!! I love my cakes, and was super psyched to get into this one. I have to give credit to Shane (@VSOflavors) as he used the PERFECT picture on the ...
.... which was a perfect representation of this one. It presented as a very clean (repeating), light cake. Nothing more, nothing less. Not exactly a white, or yellow cake, but as a neutral cake. No real icing to speak of, no perceivable vanilla, just a simple cake. Overall it was a lighter flavor, and that was even testing it @ 4%, so it won't run your mix sideways. It had an underlying convincing bakery element that rode JUST below the cake note(s), and worked to further authenticate it. As a lighter cake flavor, it wasn't overly rich or buttery, but still convincing, and satisfying. Just below mid-level sweet, and I could almost swear I got a pinch of baking soda at times, but just barely. I think a clean, nondescript cake best sums this one up. Nothing off-putting, and still a bit light and airy @ 4%. Felt good @ **8.9/10.**
Having tested most of Shane's outstanding natural fruit flavors, I kept seeing mention of his newer creams, bakeries, etc., and couldn't NOT get into them. I placed an order on the site, and Shane hit me back, and said he was going to throw in some new ones as well !!!! Looks like this one's gonna be a big one, with 19 flavors to test.
*Disclaimer -- After placing my original order Shane, threw in a couple of free extras*
All testing done at the listed percentages below, on my SteamCrave RDTA v.1 with dual vertical Kanthal 24ga. 7 wrap coils, at 65 watts. All flavors steeped 2 weeks +.
Check out my original VSO Single Flavor and Blends tests here.
Having not been on the VSO Flavors site in a bit, I was blown away by Shane's new(er) offerings, and now we'll help bring them all into the limelight.
Steep times, and testing percentages are being finalized now, so STAY TUNED !!!!
**Barbarian Cream (VSO) 3% (5-26-22)** -- Let's start this "Part II" off with a BANG !!!! OK, I will admit to being somewhat fascinated by the "Barbarian" in the name, and I don't know if Shane was making a play on a "Bavarian" or not. Needless to say, I don't think I got any Barbarian, OR Bavarian from this one, BUT, I did get an utterly deliciously smooth desert cream, blanketed in a light, and creamy vanilla. First things first, this one is VERY unique, and unlike any other MFG's creams, so that may ALREADY put it on your list, and on your racks. I think I got some of this flavor in another One-Shot/Blend from VSO, but that was the ONLY time I have tasted this before. VERY creamy, and smooth, and not really in a Custard or Pudding profile. More pudding LIKE, but not a pudding by any stretch. Barely (if any) eggy notes, in the flavor left it far more of a desert creamery than anything else. The utter, and complete silky smoothness of the cream and vanilla notes could not be overstated, AND, at 3% it did it easily, and all day long. Trying to find a "similar" flavor was almost impossible, BUT, FA Custard did have SOME similarities, but they were still fairly worlds apart. What was interesting was how fresh it tasted, WHILE at the same time exuding a velvety smooth and creamy main body, and again, just wrapped in a light, yet fulfilling vanilla blanket. I could see LOTS of uses for this in Custards, Puddings, and anything else, where you needed a clean, creamy vanilla. It was very full at 3%, but not overpowering, and I could find nothing off-putting, or anything that I could even remotely nit-pick on. Taste is subjective, and as always, everyone's tastes are different, but this one was a hit for me, and a great way to start off this series. I can think of no better way to sum this one up, than a velvety smooth desert cream, with great vanilla notes, and a very light (if any) egg-ness. Very unique, and hard to put down, and YES, it's a tester tank finisher for sure. **9.8/10**.
**Black Licorice (VSO) 2.5% (5-27-22)** -- I was reluctant to test this one, as I am NOT a fan of Black Licorice, probably due to "issues" arising from Jagermeister, and NyQuil, BUT, the tests MUST go on. Without delving into the many NOT quite Black Licorice flavors and candies that rely on Anise, and Fennel, this one WAS very accurate. It was somewhat relaxed @ 2.5%, and could probably be pushed higher, maybe 0.5-1.0% if you needed, and please remember, this is coming from a non BL user. Nothing bitter or out of place, and sweetness was a few ticks below mid level. All in, it was a VERY accurate flavor, and if you are in need for a natural Black Licorice, this one WILL work for you. No real take offs except for a somewhat relaxed nature, which could probably be overcome by increasing the usage rate. Easily a **9.1/10**.
**Butter (VSO) 2.5% (5-27-22)** -- I know, I know. Who tests JUST Butter ? LOL, I do it for YOU guys. O.k. I'm going to have to go through my database, as I think I've only solo'd ONE Butter before. It can be hard to quantify, off-putting, even disturbing, depending on the flavor. Butters are very often used, but seldom solo tested. I was QUITE surprised on this one, as it did NOT blow my face off, and was actually a delicious flavor solo'd. It presented as a clean, natural (wait for it....) slightly sweetened, unsalted, sweet cream butter. Try saying THAT five times fast. Yes, that's what it presented as, and that pushed it right into the fairly unique category. No harsh artificial "Movie Theater" butter here, and honestly no artificial notes to be found either. To better understand, you need to know what Sweet Cream Butter is . That in and of itself doesn't mean "sweet", but this one was slightly sweetened. About half way to mid-level sweet, and that worked out nicely. Despite looking for it, I couldn't pick up on any salt, or "salted" to it, and that really helped push the "Sweet Creamery"-ness. Fresh, clean, non-greasy, and tasty were terms that kept coming to mind while testing this one. If you are looking for an artifical "Butter Brick" to the face, this isn't the one for you. If you want a cleaner, more accurate Sweet Creamery Butter, then this one IS the one for you. I didn't detect any ceiling smashing at 2.5%, and you could probably push it up 0.5% or more depending on your needs. Going into this, I was hesitant, but after finishing, I was glad I tested it, as I HAD been prepared for a heavy handed butter, but was surprised to find how much I liked this cleaner, more natural, creamery butter. Get your clean creamery on with this one, **9.2/10**.
**Cake (VSO) 4% (5-27-22)** -- Now who doesn't love cake ?? !!!! I love my cakes, and was super psyched to get into this one. I have to give credit to Shane (@VSOflavors) as he used the PERFECT picture on the ...
.... which was a perfect representation of this one. It presented as a very clean (repeating), light cake. Nothing more, nothing less. Not exactly a white, or yellow cake, but as a neutral cake. No real icing to speak of, no perceivable vanilla, just a simple cake. Overall it was a lighter flavor, and that was even testing it @ 4%, so it won't run your mix sideways. It had an underlying convincing bakery element that rode JUST below the cake note(s), and worked to further authenticate it. As a lighter cake flavor, it wasn't overly rich or buttery, but still convincing, and satisfying. Just below mid-level sweet, and I could almost swear I got a pinch of baking soda at times, but just barely. I think a clean, nondescript cake best sums this one up. Nothing off-putting, and still a bit light and airy @ 4%. Felt good @ **8.9/10.**