Hi, I'm new here. (intro & few semi-newb q's)

[compclouds]

I dunno if this is done, but I'm gonna do it, and suffer any possible warnings.
I joined this forum solely because of the DIY section & the awesome info on here, so it felt a little weird going to an entirely different section of the forum to post an introduction. Especially when it said something about telling my entire story of how I got into vaping, which I really don't feel like doing. The relevant bit is that I've been vaping for a few months now, and I haven't found a single ADV.
Well...that's not exactly true. I MIGHT have found my first ADV, by mixing different eliquids, using a root beer & tobacco & then adding a vanilla tobacco to that. Problem is, the tobacco was leftover from when I just started vaping, from a vendor I don't wanna use again, the root beer was from another country and hard to get with new regs, and the vanilla tobacco was pretty bad by itself.
That's what I've found throughout most of my time vaping. Most of my eliquids I end up mixing and get a better flavor. I must have a really weird pallet, because many of the premium eliquids I've tried range from downright disgusting to meh or alright. Even the rare few I really liked, usually aren't worth the price. So rather than keep buying eliquids I don't like looking for the ones I do, I thought I'd finally delve into DIY.
I was researching DIY eliquid before I even got into vaping. When I started vaping, I already knew all the stuff about PG & VG. Though the thread about the extra chemicals and their uses to 'enhance' was EXTREMELY helpful. I already knew about a few by their brand names, but not what they were and why. THANK YOU @Karebear for posting it & her hubby @Ol'DocPorter for doing the research!
So now, I've been reading through the forums for the last few days, deciding on flavors for my order in the next few days and determining the last few bits I need. I already bought the VG, bottles, and syringes (Yes, I plan on working with volume rather than by weight. I feel more comfortable with that.), weeks ago, knowing I was gonna get into DIY, just finally taking the plunge, because frankly just tired of gross eliquid & the exorbitant prices on some of it.
Reading the forums though, I started to question if I should start with 100mg nic or not. I planned on getting about enough nic for 2 months, based on a rough estimate of my current usage, but I think I previously overlooked the fact that some keep it in the freezer. How necessary is that? There is no way I can keep it in the freezer here. (Staying with family currently.) I will be able to once I go back home. Working with 36mg nic to start does sound better tho. Will 2 months worth be fine just in a drawer, probably around 80 deg F or so? (We don't put the AC low.) I might start with only a month or so worth anyway, to keep my initial order down. The other option, regardless of quantity I start with, is to buy a large brown glass bottle, and just mix a 36mg or maybe even 25mg nic myself. I had read in a few places that VG nic settles quicker. Is that true? Will it matter if only getting a month's worth?
Looking around at prices, looks like I'm gonna go with ecx for flavorings to start, because their prices on FA seem to be pretty good.Hopefully their sale holds out until I can decide & make my order. Is their nic alright? I had seen quite a few suggest Vapers Tek for nic. Will it be alright to get a 250ml of their 36mg VG nic & wait til I'm home to mix my own? That should last me over a month at 12mg. (down from 18! woohoo!) But I'm just guestimating, because I switch flavors so often & mostly use RDA's now. But I THINK most days I'm under 15ml/day, with some rare days being over.

Last thing is, any suggestions?
I'm gonna get the FA espresso to try making a coffee eliquid & possibly a mocha, but not really decided on what type of chocolate yet. Been searching for a good coffee vape since I started vaping.
I need to try to 'clone' the tobacco root beer w/ just a hint of vanilla that I made. The root beer tasted a lot like a root beer barrel. That's gonna be a long process trying different tobacco flavors though, and I'm not sure I'm ready to buy all of those flavors yet.
One of the flavors I really like is blueberry. I'd like to try to make one of those for a potential ADV. I had seen a recipe on here for one, so I'll have to go and find that before my order.
One of the few flavors I REALLY liked was Blackberry by Vista Vapers. I know, ironic that a budget eliquid company would make one of the few flavors I really like, but hesitant to order from them again because I'm pretty sure they censor negative reviews, and that makes it impossible to buy anything with confidence. So any comments you have on recipes or flavors that are similar to their blackberry, that would be great.
I also like strawberry, but not sure I want to try that off the bat because I've read the various comments on the magically vanishing strawberry flavor. That actually explained a lot about how some eliquids that were supposed to taste like strawberry tasted like literally nothing.
I like tons of fruits, except pineapple. Not a huge fan of milks or deserts or candy. Not saying I won't necessarily try one, or even like it, just not a fan in general. Especially don't really like caramel. Refuse to vape custard. Not a big fan of mints, peppermint, or menthol. Although in vaping I've found I like mint/menthol more than I thought I did. It works well with some flavors, if done in the right amount. I'm sure now it's apparent why I can't find many vapes I like though.

 

[Breazy_Com]

Welcome from Breazy ! You'll get lots of good advice here from the do it yourselfers !

 

[inspects]

Welcome aboard....

I just started DIY a couple months ago, therefore I'm not much help, but you'll get replies from Pro's.

 

[JuicyLucy]

Welcome

 

[Huckleberried]

LOL, well hi and welcome

Fruits aren't my go-to vapes, although I do really like a cranberry mix posted by HeadInClouds. Aside from that, I stick mainly to bakery flavors, so I'll let others guide you on the fruity ones. For coffee vapes, you should be able to find a bunch of those in the recipes section, most using FA Espresso. It's a really true flavoring and doesn't require much at all.

You'll be fine to order only as much nic as you think you'll use up in a couple months time. Do try to keep it in a cool place, at least. If possible, even the fridge would be good. Once you get back to your home, then you can worry about buying larger quantities and freezer storage.

My usual vendor on nic is Vaperstek, but they were out of the throat hit nic the last time I went to order. so I decided to give ECX a go. I sampled it when I got it, no issues at all. Clear, clean taste.

 

[compclouds]

Thank you @Breazy_Com & @inspects & @JuicyLucy & @Huckleberried!

@Huckleberried
One eliquid I found alright was a cinnamon bun, on the bakery flavor category. Can't remember who by off the top of my head. Might try making one of those eventually. It was a coil killer. It wasn't amazing, so I wouldn't even think of trying to clone it.
I would really like to try making a brownie eliquid, especially if I get some chocolate flavors in my initial order to try a mocha.
Another flavor I kind of liked was a blueberry muffin. That also wasn't amazing, so if I make one I'll just try my hand at it, or find a recipe.

As an addendum to my original post, I see ECX has now extended their sale to some FW? Is the FW Mocha or FW Irish Cream any good? Perhaps to try a mix with Dark Bean (Espresso) by FA & a separate chocolate? To give it a stronger flavor, and less cream. Though ironically as I said that I was considering if it might need another cream or a vanilla in a small amount. Would have to try it to know.

Edit: Actually looked at the FW Irish Cream. It has acetoin. I had previously just added it to my WL to consider buying. Shoulda looked more closely then.

 

[inspects]

Thank you @Breazy_Com & @inspects & @JuicyLucy & @Huckleberried!

@Huckleberried
One eliquid I found alright was a cinnamon bun, on the bakery flavor category. Can't remember who by off the top of my head. Might try making one of those eventually. It was a coil killer. It wasn't amazing, so I wouldn't even think of trying to clone it.
I would really like to try making a brownie eliquid, especially if I get some chocolate flavors in my initial order to try a mocha.
Another flavor I kind of liked was a blueberry muffin. That also wasn't amazing, so if I make one I'll just try my hand at it, or find a recipe.

As an addendum to my original post, I see ECX has now extended their sale to some FW? Is the FW Mocha or FW Irish Cream any good? Perhaps to try a mix with Dark Bean (Espresso) by FA & a separate chocolate? To give it a stronger flavor, and less cream. Though ironically as I said that I was considering if it might need another cream or a vanilla in a small amount. Would have to try it to know.

I enjoy stronger flavors like you, I'll be watching this tread for the Pro's advise......

 

[compclouds]

@inspects
Not sure if I enjoy "stronger flavors". Definitely in my coffee. I have found that many premium eliquids do have weaker flavor though. Except the tobacco ones. There seem to be quite a few overly strong tobacco flavors though. I think that might be because the flavorings themselves come so strong, and the creators of the juice don't try to mix them in very light percentages like so many suggest to do.

On an unrelated note: I'm eating boiled peanuts I made today, and it reminded me that another eliquid I have on my list to try to make is a chocolate peanut butter. Like a peanut butter cup, though not as sweet. I find reeses too sweet anyway. I guess that's a good thing, since sugars tend to gunk up coils. I did see a note on combining two flavors to make a peanut butter. I'll have to look that up.

Additional addendum to original post: One of the other flavors I really like is HOT things. I actually looked around for spicy eliquids, but didn't find much of anything. Most of the "spicy" vapes I found were either menthol or clove, which is an entirely different thing. I have an eliquid idea on my list, but don't wanna spoil the horrendous surprise if it doesn't work. ECX doesn't have capsicum, so it will have to wait anyway.

 

[inspects]

@inspects
Not sure if I enjoy "stronger flavors". Definitely in my coffee. I have found that many premium eliquids do have weaker flavor though. Except the tobacco ones. There seem to be quite a few overly strong tobacco flavors though. I think that might be because the flavorings themselves come so strong, and the creators of the juice don't try to mix them in very light percentages like so many suggest to do.

On an unrelated note: I'm eating boiled peanuts I made today, and it reminded me that another eliquid I have on my list to try to make is a chocolate peanut butter. Like a peanut butter cup, though not as sweet. I find reeses too sweet anyway. I guess that's a good thing, since sugars tend to gunk up coils.

I understand about the tobacco's....but like you mentioned the fruits seem to fade if not beefed up a little or vaped quickly after mixed.

 

[compclouds]

I know it happens with Strawberry. I know because I've bought eliquids that are supposed to taste like strawberry and taste like literally nothing. I dunno if it happens with other fruits. I vape my blueberry eliquids too fast probably to know.

 

[inspects]

I know it happens with Strawberry. I know because I've bought eliquids that are supposed to taste like strawberry and taste like literally nothing. I dunno if it happens with other fruits. I vape my blueberry eliquids too fast probably to know.

Try INW shisha strawberry......it's pretty damn strong.....http://www.bullcityflavors.com/shisha-strawberry-inw/

 

[compclouds]

@inspects
I saw the shisha vanilla in a recipe for almond milk...do most of their "shisha" flavors not actually taste like shisha? Are they actually called that because they're used in the flavoring of tobacco, not because they taste like tobacco? So confusing!

 

[inspects]

@inspects
I saw the shisha vanilla in a recipe for almond milk...do most of their "shisha" flavors not actually taste like shisha? Are they actually called that because they're used in the flavoring of tobacco, not because they taste like tobacco? So confusing!

They don't taste like a tobacco to me....the concentrates I have from INW are fantastic and well flavored. Don't need to use as much compared to others concentrates.

 

[compclouds]

Am I crazy in just assuming most flavors where I want a more rounded complex flavor that I'm likely going to have to try multiple flavors and companies and see what they taste like alone, at different levels, and how they work together? I see a lot of people using the FA flavors alone on this forum, just as the perfect flavor. What I assumed reading a lot of what people said in various places is that a lot of flavors, even by FA, give only one side of the flavor, and sometimes you have to tweak it, depending on what you're making.
Like, I'm highly considering getting the FW Mocha, to try using as a sort of base flavor, and then try to tweak into what I want. Now I'm not talking about eliquids with a ton of different flavors, just rounding out specific flavors that are key to the taste.
I ask because I don't have any actual experience making eliquids, just a lot of research, and that's limited when you don't have anything hands on to work with, so you forget a lot of it.

 

[Sirkris]

Yes, you can get a more rounded flavor by mixing multiple concentrates of the same fruit. FA just has some really good ones. I started with only FA, but as my mixing advanced, my pallette did as well and I slowly started branching out.
Don't get discouraged in the beginning, there is a definite learning curve. Welcome to the forum!

Sent from my N9518 using Tapatalk

 

[Huckleberried]

Might try making one of those eventually. It was a coil killer. It wasn't amazing, so I wouldn't even think of trying to clone it.

You might be really surprised with DIY. Pleasantly so. MANY mixers discover they like their own mixes, or those of others, much better than the premade juices sold online and in shops. I know there are at least a couple cinnamon bun recipes posted in that section. Mixing other people's stuff helped me to learn more about flavors, and how they work together, than anything I tried doing on my own. Once I started understanding it a little better, I was happier with things I tried to mix. I haven't had the huge successes of many people here, but their stuff is sometimes SO GOOD, I haven't played much LOL.

Actually looked at the FW Irish Cream. It has acetoin.

FA has a REALLY AWESOME Irish Cream. No bad stuff in it

ECX doesn't have capsicum, so it will have to wait anyway.

They did used to sell that one, but honestly, I got warned about it and advised not to, because of inhalation issues. So, I just never did. It's got a massive Scoville rating. Inawera has a spiced chili something or other, but I can't recall what it's called, and have no idea if it's any good. TFA has a few flavors that have heat to them, but same deal, no idea how they are, or any possible inhalation risks.

 

[Vapin4Joy]

Welcome to the VU!

 

[compclouds]

Right now I have fairly good confidence. We'll see if that stands the test of time. I'm good at making mixed drinks with random ingredients, and I've had tremendous success with mixing pre-made ejuice flavors. It's just a matter of figuring out what something tastes like and imagining two flavors together. I'm hoping I can do the same by starting out with the singular flavors at different levels, and trying to imagine them together.

Does anyone keep the individual flavors premixed & steeped for testing together for eliquid ideas?

I would have to be extremely careful, and try way below what I would even think would have an effect first.
I don't know what could possibly go wrong...

I found it at ECX under FW Capsicum HEAT. I had assumed it would be in the additives.

And thank you @Vapin4Joy

I actually put FW capsicum & TFA Jalapeno on my wishlist. I actually really enjoy inhaling the steam when cooking hot peppers. Sure, it makes me cough, but what can I say? I'm crazy...
At the very least I'll finally have something hot to use in cooking that won't be used up in a month or less. Too hard to find Dave's Insanity Sauce locally.

 

[compclouds]

Found a better vid of the capsaicin experience...but...DO NOT DO WHAT THIS GUY DID! He didn't measure in any way and he dripped a ton.

But, it seems to me like an awesome thing to experiment with...but as I said, I'm crazy... XD

 

[Foggz]

Welcome to VU Compclouds !!

Sounds like you've been busy researching.. Some jump in, some like to research first .. (I'm def on the research side, myself) one suggestion is even tho you are not necessarily looking for creme/ custard style vapes .. check out some of the advice threads re ordering.. I would recommend grabbing at least one or two in order to smooth out primary flavors you are interested in... say maybe FA custard and/or vienna creme, possibly add meringue, and/or marshmallow to lighten/smooth/sweeten. Very versatile with many fruits, tobaccos, choc, etc. Lots of dif little things like that.. way too many to list here but thought i'd mention them. Oh and re Peanut butter .. have not yet tried any .. but hear good things re TFA in that regard. Good luck mixing!!

 

[BKTOAD]

Full disclosure: I have not read this entire thread. I saw your post this morning and wanted to reply, but didn't have the time. So here is my reply to your original post:

Mix by weight. Way easier. Way faster. Way cleaner. Not one single positive to measuring by volume that I can see. Trust me.

80 degrees would give me concern for storing nic base, but for a couple months, probably fine.

I use 60mg nic. Just what I started with and know ratios with. Had I started with 100mg, thats what I would use now. Would get at least 60mg nic for a couple reasons. Less weight to ship, cheaper shipping. Also, Lower nic in pg (or vg) may limit the final pg/vg formulation based on percentage of flavors.

Never used ecx nic. Only have used nicotine river, so thats all I can vouch for, and it is good.

FA espresso is super strong. Start at like .25%.

Blueberry flavorings vary a lot (as do other flavors). But I use tpa blueberry wild, fa bilberry, and fw blueberry. Each has its ups and downs. And really best to mix with a couple of them for a rounded flavor.

Shisha vanilla and shisha strawberry are teriffic. Not sure why they call them shisha. Just taste like clean strawberry and clean vanilla.

 

[compclouds]

@Foggz
Well, getting a cream to back up a flavor is far different than it being a major flavor. That was in regards to flavors I like, and why I've had problems finding ones I really like on the professional market. There's a real trend currently towards creams & custards, as well as deserts. You pick up a fruit vape and find it's "folded" with cream...which isn't even possible with a liquid.
I'm likely going to get some of the creams mentioned in a few of the coffee eliquid recipes. I'm definitely taking my time though, so I can make sure I get what I want, to try a few things, without having a $100+ first order.
The reason I'm opposed to vaping custard though, has more to do with it having egg as a major ingredient.

@BKTOAD
I have multiple accurate scales, including one with a computer interface, so I could literally write a script to have my computer tell me the exact thing to do step by step. So I could do it by weight, but to me it seems to take a lot of the fun out of it. If I need to make a large batch I'll just use a graduated cylinder for the PG. Mixing by weight just seems more like just following a recipe that you keep tweaking, or a set of instructions. Mixing by volume in contrast feels more like being a mad scientist. I move PG with my syringes all the time, and mix premade eliquid with them, and it doesn't bother me. Filling up my 15mil dropper with plain PG for cleaning cotton between flavors, or practicing clouds doesn't really seem annoying like others have said. Just don't push it so hard the leur lock flies off.

 

[compclouds]

@BKTOAD
I stumbled across a thread on reddit that mentioned that ECX nic was harsh at higher MG, which I vape at, and they mentioned Nicotine River as being good as well. I just checked them out, and their nic & FA is actually cheaper than ECX! So I think I'm gonna use them for both to consolidate my first order, since I'm gonna be getting FA mainly. Dunno about if their other flavors are cheaper too, cuz I just opened it.
The flavors available seem slightly different between the two though, so I'll have to check what isn't available from NR, or more expensive, to see what might get pushed back to a second order from ECX, perhaps in a few weeks.
For example, they don't have Cap Peanut Butter, which some recommended mixing with TFA for a more true PB flavor.

 

[compclouds]

I'm in the final stages of getting ready to order. So far for my top flavors I'm thinking about these:
FA Dark Bean (espresso)
FA Billberry
TFA Blueberry Extra
TFA Cherry
FA Black Cherry

I'm not sure about which cherry to get. These were based on what was talked about in the bull shoot thread with @Huckleberried's & @AndriaD's comments. Not sure if they'd work together or what. Totally forgot about the blackberry, which I have to do more research on.

For the coffee I am still narrowing down which creams to get. I don't really know the taste of them, so I can't be sure.
FA Almond (Because I was thinking about trying to do more of an almond milk flavor)
FA Madagascar (Classic Vanilla)
FA Fresh Cream
FA Vienna Cream
TFA Vanilla Swirl
CAP Sweet Cream
These all would be great investments to try, to see what they would taste like in different recipes.

For the attempt at a mocha I have NO CLUE what chocolates to get. I have FA Cocoa on my shortened list. That would probably be a good investment for chocolates in the future, but I don't know if the chocolate is the one I want. If I get all the creams I probably shouldn't do a huge list of chocolates as well. I need to check the various recipes I was looking at again to see what chocolates they used to see which ones should go on my shortened list.
I also moved TFA Double Chocolate Clear to my shortened list. It was on the longer list, but I couldn't remember which ones came from which recipes.

Nicotine River doesn't have CAP Peanut Butter, so without that I'm gonna pass on just getting TFA Peanut Butter, and work on the attempt at a chocolate peanut butter after at least my second order.

I have a few tobacco flavors that I wanted to attempt. One of them was a tobacco root beer with a hint of vanilla. Another was a chocolate tobacco. Another was a tobacco coffee. Yet another was a chocolate mint coffee. Since I don't plan on buying mint or menthol just yet, that one's on the back burner, but I do need to sample some tobaccos. Ones that have made it to my short list so far are:

FA Cuban Supreme
FA RY4
TFA RY4 Double

I probably need to do more research into the tobaccos. Without knowing what they actually taste like though, I don't know what to look for. For the chocolate tobacco and chocolate tobacco mint, I'm looking for a dark rich tobacco. For the coffee & tobacco I have two things in mind, a dark rich blend, and a lighter more smooth blend. For the root beer I was looking for a lighter tobacco. I haven't even put a root beer on my short list yet though, because I need to review people's comments on them again, because I wasn't positive. I had two ideas, more of a Barq's style, and more of an A&W style.

 

[Heabob]

Totally forgot about the blackberry, which I have to do more research on.

My favorites are VZ-SC Blackberry & FE Blackberry(ECX only), using at 1.4% to 1.6%.
CAP Blackberry is fair but seems to be more "earthy".
FW is pretty close to CAP in taste.
FA Blackberry was just perfume to me.

 

[compclouds]

@Heabob
While doing research yesterday I found similar advice. It may have actually been from you there as well. I added FE Blackberry on my ECX list. I'm unfamiliar with the VZ-SC acronymn though.
The CAP Blackberry is literally in my shopping cart, as I did a test adding everything last night, and gave myself sticker shock. I know I'm gonna have to order most of the stuff eventually, but I don't want a $100 order right now. Trying to keep it more like $50. Removed some stuff I don't need right now and down to $43.

So this is my list that's likely gonna be close to my final list:

FA Espresso

FA Cocoa
TFA Double Chocolate Clear

FA Vanilla Classic
FA Fresh Cream
CAP Sweet Cream

FA Bilberry
Cap Blueberry
TFA Blueberry Extra
TFA Cherry
CAP Blackberry

TFA Root Beer
TFA Root Beer Float

I saw the warnings from the root beer thread, but I'm not going for a straight root beer, and the mix of ejuices that I did before actually started with a near unvapeable root beer eliquid, so I'm HOPING that I can work with it and get something useful. If not, oh well. The TP Rasta Root Beer is too hard to find. I'll order directly from them in a few weeks or months and see what I can make.

FA Cuban Supreme
FA RY4
TFA RY4 Double

TFA Cinnamon Red Hot (got an idea for this one!)

TFA Koolada
FA Menthol Artic
TFA Sweetener

Ended up adding a menthol & Koolada because I had a few more ideas for eliquids I'm excited to experiment with them.

 

[Foggz]

I have a few tobacco flavors that I wanted to attempt. One of them was a tobacco root beer with a hint of vanilla. Another was a chocolate tobacco. Another was a tobacco coffee. Yet another was a chocolate mint coffee. Since I don't plan on buying mint or menthol just yet, that one's on the back burner, but I do need to sample some tobaccos. Ones that have made it to my short list so far are:
FA Cuban Supreme
FA RY4
TFA RY4 Double

The Cuban Supreme is one of my favorites.. sweet tasting with a tiny amount of spice .. very good! mixes very well with 'low note' flavors I feel.
The FA RY4 .. I have and really never use (so far- The TFA Double is just so good) not as much caramel as the TFA RY4 .. (the TFA has a more pronounced light caramel note) if it comes to one or the other I'd go with the TFA.

 

[compclouds]

Would you call the Cuban Supreme "rich"? I'm looking for a thick rich tobacco for a chocolate & tobacco vape, as well as maybe trying a coffee one, and another smoother tobacco for the root beer tobacco & a vanilla coffee tobacco. No clue how many tobaccos I'm gonna have to try to get the right one for the recipes I imagine, but not too worried. It's gonna be a journey.

 

[inspects]

It's gonna be a journey.

And it's FUN....

 

[compclouds]

The cost isn't gonna be fun, but it's still a lot better than buying the "premium" eliquids. For the cost of a single 30 mil of those, I can get the nic I need for a month, plus a flavor or 5.
One thing I see a lot on forums is people seem to try to get the single magical flavor for a fruit or cream or whatever. From what I've read from many, FA seems to make really rounded flavors that work for many things, so I am starting with them for many of my flavors. I just assume that I may have to buy 5 flavors or even more, and test them in different combinations, just to master that perfect flavor for a strawberry, or a blueberry, or a root beer, or whatever. Those other flavor companies either wouldn't exist, or they wouldn't be as big as they are, if their flavors weren't used in TONS of things. No one would ever think a single tobacco would be good for every recipe. So I plan trying many of the other ones, eventually, even just to round out or modify certain flavors. Like when you get an eliquid that you KNOW tastes just like a cough syrup you know, or a candy. To me that suggests they should have maybe used a mix, because most of the time, you don't want a flavor that reminds you of everything else that standard flavor is used in.
I may be completely wrong. I may find many flavors that I never find a use for, but going in with that mentality will save frustration when I get a flavor that doesn't seem to work, because I'm not assuming it will work alone.
Tho I might annoy some people if I end up with a recipe at some time with 12 ingredients. "It needs that .23% nuance, man!" XD

 

[Foggz]

Would you call the Cuban Supreme "rich"? I'm looking for a thick rich tobacco for a chocolate & tobacco vape, as well as maybe trying a coffee one, and another smoother tobacco for the root beer tobacco & a vanilla coffee tobacco. No clue how many tobaccos I'm gonna have to try to get the right one for the recipes I imagine, but not too worried. It's gonna be a journey.

well "rich" is a relative term re flavor ... but yes you could say that.. maybe more helpful is that I think it would def pair well with choc .. or at least the right choc... ;p

Am not really ambling for a choc tobacco myself at the moment.. however I could see using it with some chocolate, add small amount of custard/creme - maybe even a titch of fruit (titch= close to a smidge) for a variation ... most likely will run something like that in future.

have seen several tobacco choc type recipes floating around .. for research i'd search re black pipe / gold ducat / el kamino to start.. altho there are scores of different ways to go for that ... large amount of variation.

 

[compclouds]

Right now...I'm a little hesitant to look at even more flavors...I added a few to my list, and now I'm scared to look at the total. Oh thank god...it's not as much over as I thought it would be...only $57.35.
I added FLV Grape cuz someone said it tasted like grape juice.
FA Peanut cuz someone mentioned @HeadInClouds described it as tasting boiled, rather than roasted, and I LOVE boiled peanuts. They're so creamy.
FLV Peanut Butter, cuz someone said they liked it better than the combination of CAP & TFA, and I actually avoided getting TFA PB in my first order cuz NR didn't have CAP PB, so I was gonna put it off until a later order.
But it's late...and despite my fear, I probably am gonna research those, and come hell what may.

 

[RonJS]

I actually put FW capsicum & TFA Jalapeno on my wishlist. I actually really enjoy inhaling the steam when cooking hot peppers. Sure, it makes me cough, but what can I say? I'm crazy...
At the very least I'll finally have something hot to use in cooking that won't be used up in a month or less. Too hard to find Dave's Insanity Sauce locally.

Just say NO to TFA Jalapeno and Yes to INW Shisha Hot Pepper.

Ron
---
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought."- Matsuo Basho

 

[Heabob]

I'm unfamiliar with the VZ-SC acronymn though.

http://www.vapingzone.com/Blackberry-Concentrated-Flavor/pid-622.html

FE Blackberry tastes like the same thing anyway, only cheaper, both are miles better than CAP tho IMO.
Bull City has SC flavors that I'm almost positive are the same line as VZ-SC.
Caramel Cream Puff from both places tastes identical.
FE Parlor and VZ-SC Parliament also taste identical.

However the VZ "Gourmet" flavorings are "Bakersflavors" from Russia, some of which are quite good BTW.

Much harder starting out with limited funds, but there's always a next time.
Even with 400+ flavors I still find recipes where I'm missing 1 or 2 flavors.

 

[compclouds]

Just say NO to TFA Jalapeno and Yes to INW Shisha Hot Pepper.

Unfortunately that's not available at Nic River, so it's gonna have to wait until my next order.
I don't even really like the taste of jalapenos, but they work in certain recipes. They work way better than habeneros sometimes though! Habeneros have such a distinct taste they can throw off the flavor of the entire dish just for a little heat.

However the VZ "Gourmet" flavorings are "Bakersflavors" from Russia, some of which are quite good BTW.

I would much rather buy a company that stocks it at least under the name of the original company if I could find it. Kinda pisses me off what they're doing charging so much, hiding the name, pretending they're gourmet super concentrated, when they're just normal flavoring by their numbers.
Googling it did pop up some things from Alibaba. I wouldn't doubt if it's some unknown company in China. Kinda annoying they put their name on it though, so we don't know who really makes it.
Edit: After more research I'll put the FE Blackberry on my WL from ECX. They're likely the same flavoring, as ECX admits they just rebottle from china, but don't change the name. This whole thing turns me off a little from VZ.

Much harder starting out with limited funds, but there's always a next time.
Even with 400+ flavors I still find recipes where I'm missing 1 or 2 flavors.

I could spend more than double what I am, but I don't want to. I want to limit my initial order so I keep myself from going crazy with buying a bunch of stuff I won't use for weeks. Even just trying out all these flavors is gonna take a while. I won't even be able to try for any of my recipe ideas until a few days after that, and then test them a few days after that, ad infinitum. So this is likely enough for now. In 2 weeks I'll know what flavors I don't really like, and perhaps if I like any particular combinations.

 

[RonJS]

I don't even really like the taste of jalapenos, but they work in certain recipes.

It's not so much the flavor but....If you stick my TFA Jalapeno flavor (from WL) in the back pocket of the biggest ass Kardasian you can find; and have her dance for a few hours...it's sill going to look like a lava lamp.

Ron
---
"If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions."- Quentin Tarantino

 

[compclouds]

It's not so much the flavor but....If you stick my TFA Jalapeno flavor (from WL) in the back pocket of the biggest ass Kardasian you can find; and have her dance for a few hours...it's sill going to look like a lava lamp.

LOL! OH! Okay. I can see why that might be disconcerting. I'm guessing it's something about the oils in the flavor or something.

 

[compclouds]

Okay, I'm sitting here trying to get up the nerve to hit order. It turned out to be a bit more than I initially planned, and I'm going to have to do another order later in the month, just need to get a start on multiple recipes. I got the following:

INW Shisha Strawberry
FLV Grape
CAP Blackberry
TFA Cherry
FA Black Cherry
TFA Blueberry Extra
Cap Blueberry
FA Bilberry

FLV Peanut Butter
FA Peanut

TFA Root Beer
TFA Root Beer Float
(don't have super high hopes for these root beers from comments but wanted something to start working with)

FA Coffee Espresso
FLV Mocha
(I likely need different coffees but I also likely need to do more research because most of the comments are negative. Went ahead and added the FLV Mocha just because their flavors generally get good reviews, and googling it showed a few good reviews, so gonna try it.)

CAP Sweet Cream
FA Fresh Cream
FA Vanilla Classic
INW Shisha Vanilla

FA Cocoa
TFA Double Chocolate Clear
(don't think I have enough chocolates even to really start but I wasn't really sure what to even start with)

FA Desert Ship
FA Shade
TFA RY4 Double
FA RY4
FA Cuban Supreme

TFA Cinn Red Hot

FA Menthol Artic
TFA Apprentic Koolada
TFA Sweetener (dunno how much gonna use this at first, but wanted to have as an option)

Okay...ordering...*deep breath*
$74.80 & free shipping!
Pretty hefty for a first order, but I'm gonna DIY if it kills me! No more of this stupid $20 a 30mil shit. (or MORE!) And...ORDERED! WOOT!
Any recommendations for recipes with what I got would be highly appreciated! Once it gets here I'm gonna have to do 3 5ml mixes for each and then gonna be a bit before I can get a recipe together I like, so mixing up small batches of other people's recipes might give me a higher chance of finding something I like.

 

[cambrymac]

The only advice I can offer you, as a fellow newbie (I started DIY about 3 months ago), is to let you know that Cherry and Black Cherry will require steeping! The are fairly "medicine" tasting immediately after mixing but with adequate steep time, they mellow out and lose the medicinal characteristic.

 

[compclouds]

I'm on the verge of panic here. While waiting for my flavors I mostly took it easy, making my way slowly through 2 massive threads. I didn't expect it until tomorrow based on the speed of the tracking, and planned to spend today researching percentages to test, but then this morning I saw it was in my city. Now doing speed research between here and recipe site.
Here's what I got basically just guesses based on average percentages of sole flavoring.

TFA Cherry: 8% 10% 12%
FA Black Cherry: 2% 4% 6%
TFA Blueberry Extra: 4% 8% 10%
CAP Blueberry: 8% 9% 10%
FA Bilberry: 1% 2% 2.5%
FLV Grape: 2% 4% 6%
CAP Blackberry: 4% 5% 8%
INW Strawberry Shisha: 3% 5% 7%

FLV Peanut Butter: 1% 2% 4%
FA Peanut: 1% 2% 3%

FA Fresh Cream: 2% 3% 5%
CAP Sweet Cream: 4% 6% 8%
FA Vanilla Classic: 1% 3% 5%
INW Vanilla Shisha: 1% 3% 4%

TFA Double Chocolate Clear: 6% 9% 10%
FA Cocoa: 2% 2.5% 4%

FA Espresso (Dark Bean): 1% 2% 3%
FLV Mocha: 1% 2% 3%

TFA Root Beer: 3% 5% 8%
TFA Root Beer Float: 5% 8% 11%

TFA Cinnamon Red Hot: 2% 5% 7%

FA Desert Ship: 1% 2% 5%
FA Shade: 2% 3% 3.5%
FA RY4: 2% 4% 6%
TFA RY4 Double: 4% 8% 9.5%
FA Cuban Supreme: 2% 2.5% 3%

FA Menthol Artic: 1% 2% 3%

Rushed through most of the list trying to get it prepared before the mailman gets here. Made it, but don't have any recipes prepared.

 

[compclouds]

I can definitely see the advantage of doing DIY by weight already. But it wouldn't have helped me much tonight. I think it's likely better when doing a larger batch. Mixing with the 5ml, I could have likely gotten more accurate readings, since I was just using drops, but I was fine without it. It is of note to new users of syringes that you should measure the amount of liquid in your needle. My larger needle, which I believe is a 14 gauge, holds a whole half a ML alone. My smaller needle, which I believe is a 16 gauge, holes a quarter of an ml. That can really screw up your recipes if you don't account for it. It was also the main reason I decided to go with the drop method. I didn't want to mix up batches of cut flavorings for mixing with a syringe. Googling drops per ML for my flavoring bottles was annoying, but gave me the answers I needed.
Made up a bunch of 5ml test batches. Didn't get them all finished. Did a shake & vape of the Cinnamon Red Hot. It's pretty good. I'm really glad I got it. Will do more test batches of different flavors when I have a chance. Even did a test for a combo of flavors that turned out pretty good just as a shake & vape. Hopefully a bit of steeping brings out more of the flavors, but will modify the recipe tomorrow and keep going.
Also found out how easy it is to accidentally mix up labels, and almost forget to write down a recipe while you're doing it.
And my VG sucks. I like the flavor of it alone, but it's definitely noticeable in the mix. Will try to find a better VG based on recommendations in forums once I've used more of it.
I'm also slightly questioning the commonly recommended methodology of mixing up three percentages of every flavor when you start out to notice the differences at different levels. It's a lot of work when you first get the flavors, and I'm not certain it's necessary. I think it might be better to actually just mix up the average use as a sole flavor on e-liquid-recipes.com and see how it tastes, and then later try different percentages once you know what it tastes like. Maybe even just jump into mixing after trying it as a sole flavor at a recommended percentage.
I really like the TFA Double Chocolate Clear. Tried it at 9% first, then later at 6%, then at 10%. It has a very similar taste to hot coco. Many recommended it at 10% or above as a sole flavor, but it was really too strong for me at 10%. I decided to mix up the 9% TFA Dbl Choc Clr as a 15ml with nic. Unfortunately, it was only after I mixed up the larger bottle with nic that I realized the bitter note on it. I added 2.6% TFA Sweetener later, and it's vapeable. It has a similar taste to hot coco, but as if you added a dark bitter chocolate as well. This could definitely be the base of a hot cocoa, but it's missing the powder cocoa taste a bit, as well as slight cream. Thankfully the FA Cocoa seems to have the powder note of a hot cocoa, so gonna try to make a hot cocoa vape. Pretty sure it's not the type of chocolate I would use in everything, but likely very useful. Probably pretty good for drinks, or maybe as a lighter chocolate in a cake or ice cream. Probably can't be used as the sole chocolate in most things. Definitely not a dark chocolate type taste, even with that bitter note. Many would probably like a bit of some type of cream or whip cream with it rather than as a sole flavor. I mixed up a test batch with the fresh cream, and the sweet cream, using the average percentages, planning on adjusting the levels later. Definitely cannot take either of the creams as a shake and vape though, as I get a bit of the nasty foot taste, so will have to wait for them to steep a bit to test. Def gonna get a larger bottle of the Doub Choc Clear.
Don't really like the FA Espresso much as a sole flavor. Really bitter, and a bit of nuttiness. Tried it at 1%, 2%, and 3%. 3% was probably the best, but not really good alone. Will know for sure after a week or more steeping. I don't think it will work alone with sweetener, but won't know unless I try. Might try it with a bit of the TFA Dbl Choc Clr. Probably has to be mellowed out with a cream of some type. Will have to search around for different coffees if I wanna make a black coffee.
Tried the FLV Mocha I mixed up at 3% and it's pretty bitter, and not enough chocolate, but seems like something I can work with. Will try a mix later of the FLV Mocha, some TFA Dbl Chocolate Clr, and maybe different mixes with the cream I got and vanillas. I think I definitely need to get more coffees and creams next order.
While ordering I had thought that maybe I would try using the FLV Mocha as a base and adding a shot of espresso so to speak, but after trying it, I realize it might not actually need any more coffee. FLV Mocha tastes like a very bitter strong coffee, with maybe a little bitter chocolate. It actually might be alright on it's own with a little sweetener, but I can't be sure until I try. Might mix up a batch of just it and a little sweetener when I try it with the TFA Dbl Choc Clr.
I think I'm more excited to try mixing with the FLV Mocha. The FA Espresso was a bit too nutty. Of course, once I start experimenting with the FLV Mocha, I might just find that a small percentage of FA Espresso tastes good with it. Won't know anything until I try.

 

[Heabob]

Here's what I got basically just guesses based on average percentages of sole flavoring.

Be careful some of those amounts seem too high to me anyway.
FA Bilberry start at 0.5%
INW Shisha Strawberry start at 2%
CAP Blackberry 2%
FA Espresso start at 0.5%
Most Cherries can be wicked strong so I'd start way lower

Vanillas & Creams are more forgiving and are good helpers for almost any mix, (like calming down the coffee vapes somewhat).

 

[compclouds]

Little late now. Those are based on the average recommended percentage of a sole flavor on e-liquid-recipes.com, so they're at least close to what a lot of people use. I just mixed up test batches for the middle numbers for Bilberry, Shisha Strawberry, Blackberry, and a few others last night. I decided to move away from mixing up 3 for each flavor, as I manage to get the gist of a flavor from what most people use it at, and then can start experimenting with it in recipes. But you might be right, because I got vapers tongue right as I started testing the flavors for shake and vape last night, with the CAP Blackberry at 5%. The lowest recommended from anyone on there for that flavor is 4% though.
And so far I've had a bad experience with both FA Fresh Cream & CAP Sweet Cream. I get a slight foot like flavor. Hard to describe. Pretty sure the FA Fresh Cream was in a premium juice that tasted pretty bad to me, but at a MUCH higher percentage than the 1% I was testing it at in my coffee and chocolate recipes.
Edit: I swear I taste some kind of twigs & branches in some of these berry flavors. Particularly the Shisha Strawberry, which does taste a bit strong at the avg recommended 7%. It tastes like twigs and branches with a bit of a starburst strawberry twinge. Twinges & twigs I tell you!
Edit 2: I figured out what the taste of twigs was under the strawberry! It's rosemary! The Shisha Strawberry has rosemary in it! I dunno what everyone was raving about it tasting like a real strawberry. This extremely limits my use of it to maybe like a tea vape, or with another strawberry, which I don't have yet.

 

[Heabob]

I figured out what the taste of twigs was under the strawberry! It's rosemary! The Shisha Strawberry has rosemary in it! I dunno what everyone was raving about it tasting like a real strawberry. This extremely limits my use of it to maybe like a tea vape, or with another strawberry, which I don't have yet.

Don't get any odd taste from the Shisha SB myself but I'm only using 2%.
Adding in 1% INW Biscuit or 2% FA Cookie might also cover up that odd floral note.
Using too much flavoring in general may sometimes taste Floral or Chemical.
Steeping may help sometimes...
Never really cared for FA Fresh Cream myself either, but I do like both TFA Dairy Milk & FW Milk.

 

[compclouds]

Don't get any odd taste from the Shisha SB myself

My mod accidentally turned up to 120w in my pocket. I wouldn't have recognized the taste of rosemary if I didn't. At my normal wattage, with a lower percentage, I probably wouldn't have identified it. Now that I have, I recognize it on my cotton even after vaping it dry several times. I dunno that I can use it like regular strawberry without consideration of the rosemary. Might be fine in bakery flavors, but without a stronger strawberry, I can't use it for strawberry and chocolate for example.

 

[compclouds]

Okay, this is just fucking weird. I identified what the other sort of twigs/branches taste was in one of the other fruit flavors. It's FA Bilberry, and the taste is sage! Most people probably wouldn't recognize these flavors, because they've never smoked a tobacco mix with sage or rosemary, or burned sage, etc, but they're so spot on that I am convinced they used these flavors in the actual making of the concentrates. FA used sage for that odd wild taste in blueberries, and INW used rosemary for the similar taste in wild strawberries. It totally ruined the flavors for me though. That throws out at least one recipe I was going to try. And not really liking the two creams I have makes it really hard to try for a mocha or hot cocoa. I'm still gonna try for them without the cream, at the same time as hoping that steeping removes the odd taste, but still...
I could try making a strawberry tobacco, and a blueberry tobacco, and maybe even a combo of both. I've had tobacco mixes with both rosemary and sage before, and they're good. They also make flavored pipe tobacco with both. Hell, the Shisha Strawberry is named after a type of tobacco.
I'm just thankful that I had these kind of setbacks full in mind when I was TRYING to keep my first order down. $70 isn't a TON, but it felt like a lot for a first order. Then the box got here, and it was soo tiny. XD That was a reality check. I'm not ready to make that second order just yet though, just more of an idea what I need to have in it. Plus, maybe some black friday sales? Yay?

 

[..nico..]

I feel the same way, after trying various vape shops and vaping "a ton" of different premium brands the results vary a lot. Some juices other loves, has for me the taste of parfume and soap for washing machines. Others smell too funky or are way too sweet. More often then not I end up finding a lot of juices I hate rather then love. I even been to one vape shop where the smell or should I say stink alone really put me off. Yet I decided to have a taste and I got my plastic mouth piece from the ladies behind the counter and started vaping. This was a vape shop that do their own juices and carry no other brands, they had weird naming conventions that told you absolutely nothing about the different ingredients or taste profile. I guess the naming was like a wanna be kool kid naming game. After about 5 minutes of hitting the peace pipe I had to leave the premises because I could not stand the stink from their various juices and the taste which was rather awful.

Too bad for me it seems the only thing I am able to mix yet is fruit and berries. So while I learn, read up and experiment I feel there are slim pickings regarding wide variety of flavors. I am feeling I should have a couple of after dinner vapes, and maybe a few morning vapes. Doing fruit juice all day gets a little old.

 

[AndriaD]

I'm not sure about which cherry to get. These were based on what was talked about in the bull shoot thread with @Huckleberried's & @AndriaD's comments. Not sure if they'd work together or what. Totally forgot about the blackberry, which I have to do more research on.

I've tried several cherry flavors, and I find that TFA's Cherry Extract is the best, hands down -- not too sweet, not too tart, not medicinal nor maraschino -- it's the Goldilocks of cherry flavors: just right.

If you ever do want an actual maraschino cherry flavor, LorAnn's is pretty good. If you want the taste of an actual cough drop, Inawera's Cherries can't be beat.

Andria

 

[Heabob]

My mod accidentally turned up to 120w in my pocket. I wouldn't have recognized the taste of rosemary if I didn't. At my normal wattage, with a lower percentage, I probably wouldn't have identified it. Now that I have, I recognize it on my cotton even after vaping it dry several times. I dunno that I can use it like regular strawberry without consideration of the rosemary. Might be fine in bakery flavors, but without a stronger strawberry, I can't use it for strawberry and chocolate for example.

Think this goes back to individual tastes, luckily either I can't detect them or like them maybe.
Some have stronger taste receptors I think, "super tasters".
Maybe a good thing I'm not in that camp, but I do have a hard time detecting certain flavors anyway.

 

[BKTOAD]

@compclouds
Seems like you are trying to make yourself a master mixer overnight. Hate to say it, but not gonna happen. Takes time and experimentation. And letting your prototype juices, and your tastebuds rest. Best advice right now: take your time. Start low % of flavors. Let it rest a bit between tastings. You can overwhelm your taste buds, especially if trying to rush a juice. The ELR recommended % people are using are most often way off. Only takes a couple morons to input their recommended mixing % of 20% on bilberry to totally whack the averages.

@Heabob gave you some solid mixing % advice.

Too much flavoring can bring out undesired flavors. Start low. Take your time.

Maybe find a couple highly rated recipes on ELR to try out. Would be a good way to start. And to get some experience mixing flavors and what results from it. Even this is not foolproof, as some highly rated ones taste atrocious to me.