Hey all, being new to diy I decided to purchase several flavors from The Flavor Apprentice via Wizard Labs. I didn't know what to get so i randomly got what sounded good as I couldn't really find any detailed reviews on flavors in one place and as you know it is hard to decide on what to get if you have never tried it before.
I recently came across a thread on this board where one person tested their flavors by putting a drop in a 5ml container of vodka and swishing it around, so this got me to thinking. I don't drink alcohol, so I decided to use water instead. I didn't want to go through the process of vaping every flavor so this was an ideal solution to try and my findings were far different than what I expected them to be and it has given me a better understanding about the different flavor profiles and how the way something smells and tastes are completely different from each other. I compared vaping a single flavor and swishing it with water to be pretty accurate for the most part. However, different strengths will give you different results (all flavors were tested at 1%). Anyway, I wanted to share with you newbies out there what I have learned. I hope you find this review helpful and I hope it will help you decide on a few good flavors to try out.
I want to point out that everyone's taste buds are different. What I like, you may not. I have tried to be as transparent as possible with my findings. Also, some flavors are more concentrated than others so their flavor profiles will be more on the perfume side in my review since all were tested at the same 1% strength and those flavors should be used at a smaller percentage or mixed with other flavors. If you have given any other flavors a try and want to add to this feel free to post below. Be sure to copy this post with your additions so all reviews can be found in one post.
*smells are based on the concentrated version before dilution
TFA Banana (ripe)
Smell- Very strong, smell like banana runts with a perfumy note.
Taste-Very Strong and perfumy, but definitely has a nice banana flavor, slightly bitter sweet on exhale similar to the rind of a banana.
Finding- This would make a nice stand alone used at a lower percentage. It would need some steeping or airing out to get the perfumy taste to soften. Will go nicely with other fruit or cream flavors.
TFA Acetyl Pyrazine 5%
Smell- In full concentrate it smells like fritos, prediluted (6 drops to 6ml of pg) smells like a slightly salty nut bread.
Taste- Pie crusty, bready but also a little nutty has a bit of a peppery after feel in my mouth. Get a monkey bread sort of vibe without the sweetness on exhale.
Findings-Very strong at the 5% so it needs to be diluted before using in your recipes or it will over power everything! I see this going great with my bakery vapes.
TFA Black Honey Tobacco
Smell- Honestly? it smells a bit like cat pee. I wont lie it's not very pleasant.
Taste-Wow, tastes like honey, but with a floral note and it leaves a silky feel in my mouth.
Findings- There is no real tobacco taste I get with this unless you consider the floral note tobacco, but I do think this would go nicely with a fruit and cream, but not as the main flavor.
TFA Toasted Almond
Smell- Smells like almonds, with the dirt and shells LOL yes I said dirt
Taste- Very nutty, I don't taste dirt, but there is a nice earthy taste, not bad. It has a very nice nutty after taste on exhale
Findings-This is a very good flavor if you like almonds it is very close to the real deal. I think this would go good with just about anything.
TFA Bavarian Cream
Smell- Caramel, creamy and sweet
Taste- Tastes like a creamy vanilla there is a very faint bitter after taste but on exhale it is buttery and sweet
Findings- I really like this flavor, I have used it in many of my vanilla based recipes and it seems to help blend it all together.
TFA Raspberry (sweet)
Smell- Very sweet candy like fragrance I can definitely smell the raspberry
Taste- Very pleasant flavor, similiar to those hard raspberry candies with the soft center, slightly sour and sweet on exhale.Findings- This is a very nice flavor if you like sweet and sour give this a try
TFA Coconut Extra
Smell- Smells like a nutty cherry (similiar to a cheap almond extract you get at the store) very perfumy and strong.
Taste- Still very strong and perfumy but I can taste the nut flavor however it doesnt really taste like a true coconut there is a bitter aftertaste.
Findings- This is the coconut extra, which means it is ultra concentrated so I assume that is why I don't find this one pleasant at 1% although, I have used it in several of my recipes and it is a very nice flavor. Caution very little is needed or it will overpower everything else in your mix.
TFA DX Hazelnut
Smell-More nutty and rich than the Toasted Almond I can detect very faint coffee notes.
Taste- NOT the same as it smells, it is very chemical based and only slightly nutty, The toasted almond packs more of a nutty punch. However, on exhale I do detect more nutty goodness.
Findings-I have never had a real hazelnut before so I can not give an honest opinion on this one. Although, it does pair well with the Toasted Almond.
TFA Green Apple
Smell- Very Strong, has a perfume too it, but it definitely smells like a green jolly rancher candy.
Taste- Yuck, smells better than it tastes. To me it tastes like car freshener and on the exhale there is a sour after taste.
Findings- This is a very strong flavor. I believe in the right % this could be a winner even as a stand alone especially if you like sour.
TFA Dragon Fruit
Smell- Very Subtle fragrance almost a mix between a plum and a berry.
Taste- Very nice flavor, sweet and fruity with a bit of tartness.
Findings- I have never tried real dragon fruit, but if the real thing tastes this good then I want some.
TFA Watermelon
Smell-Smells like a very ripe, freshly opened watermelon a bit on the artificial side but not much.
Taste- It has a nice flavor. Reminds me of watermelon taffy without the taffy.
Findings- This is worth getting I believe it will go nicely with a candy or fruity vape mix.
TFA Blueberry Wild
Smell- Fragrance seems a bit weak but I can detect the blueberry
Taste- The flavor is much stronger than the fragrance it is a very pleasant taste and very close to real blueberries
Findings- This one has a nice flavor could be great stand alone at the right %
TFA Juicy Peach
Smell- Smells like a peach flavored caprisun drink
Taste- Ha! Tastes like it too. Very good! it is not chemically at all it's sweet, juicy and fruity. I can almost feel the peach fuzz.
Findings- What an excellent flavor, not what I was expecting at all. This will be great on it's own.
TFA Pomegranate Deluxe
Smell- VERY Sweet and sour, my face puckered just from taking a whiff
Taste- It is NOT as sweet as it smells, it is a bit more on the bitter side. I was thrown off by this one. However, it is not a bad flavor a bit perfumy but it has a very nice smooth finish on the exhale
Findings- Yet another fruit I have never actually had, but I would expect it to taste similar to this
TFA Caramel Original
Smell- strong buttery note, with a touch of burnt sugar
Taste- very creamy, buttery a bit of sweet, but more creamy and buttery tastes exactly like caramel. The best description would be like the hard caramel candies.
Findings- If you like caramel you are going to love this one.
TFA Caramel Candy
Smell- I detect a hint of a buttery note and it is slightly sweet, but it has a more artificial smell to it than the caramel original
Taste- This one has a very different flavor profile than the caramel original. I am getting a weird vitamin after taste on this one.
Findings-If you are looking for a true caramel flavor than this one is not for you go with the original. With that said you could mix the 2 together and see what you get.
TFA Vanilla Bean Gelato
Smell- Very chemically, not really perfumy hard to explain
Taste- This tastes like a very cheap vanilla extract and it has a peppery feel in my mouth with a slight bitter taste. However, on the exhale it has a nice vanilla flavor
Findings- This one is a bit odd. I do like it and I use it in a lot of my recipes but I tend to pair it with some vanillin and bavarian cream. I have not tried it as a stand alone because I personally do not think it would be very good. but it does add a kick when mixed with other cream or vanilla type flavors
TFA Strawberry Ripe
Smell- WOW! Smells JUST like ripe strawberries plucked from the vine. Note I am not an artifical strawberry lover, but this smells fantastic!
Taste- I am equally impressed by this flavor it really is a true strawberry flavor it is sweet fruity and a bit tart. Perfect Replica IMO
Findings- If you are not a fan of strawberry flavorings. PLEASE give this one a try. I try to be bias in my reviews but MAN this stuff is wonderful.
TFA RY4 Type
Smell- Smells Chemically not really like a caramel, vanilla tobacco
Taste- Tastes like it has a hint of mint? Koolada? not really sure I sort of get an earthy flavor. Best put I feel like I am tasting a pine forest.
Findings- I can't say that this is bad, but it is definitely not something for me personally. It is not what I was expecting at all in flavor and I really do not detect any tobacco notes
TFA Pie Crust
Smell- Smells like...Pie Crust, graham crackery, buttery flaky crust.
Taste- The flavor seems a bit subtle to me but it is pretty spot on there is a light touch of sweetness and a nice creamy not on exhale
Findings- I would use a bit more of this in my recipes. It is very good and if you plan on making any cobbler or pie vapes give this one a try
TFA Pear
Smell- Very strong and perfumy but it does smell like pears. Maybe a hint of spice?
Taste- OMG! I had to spit this one out. at first it was sort of a strong pear and then it rapidly started tasting like vomit! seriously, I just couldn't take it.
Findings- I believe the nasty flavor is because this is super strong. I have used it in a VERY small percentage in one of my vapes and I acutally enjoy it very much so please do not take the vomit flavor as is. When vaping in a very small amount mixed with other flavors it is quite good.
TFA vanillin 10%
Smell- Very faint vanilla scent
Taste- Do not let the faint smell fool you. This stuff is VERY strong and will burn your taste buds off if you are not careful. It has a slight vanilla flavor.
Findings- This is not really a flavor it is more of an additive like Koolada or Sour. Use at a very small percentage and it can add a kick to your vanilla blends and even round them out a bit.
TFA Mild Black
Smell-Smells good sort of a tobacco, but I get a touch of vanilla in there.
Taste- Tastes similar to a vanilla cigar. This one is pretty true to it's name and the closest to a tobacco flavor I have tried so far.
Findings- My husband uses this one as a stand alone and the house gets that sweet vanilla cigar you would expect from a black and mile without the smoke.
TFA Red Type
Smell-Smells good, I can smell a touch of menthol in this one
Taste- sorry, not loving this one. it tastes like a mix of house cleaner, menthol and pine
Findings- Most tobacco flavors I have tried have the pine flavor to them. I am not sure if this is common but if you like those flavors give this one a try.
TFA Turkish
Smell- very earthy it does have a pleasant tobacco fragrance, but there is a hint of a green hay smell to it
Taste- upon tasting it seems like a very nice simple vape tobacco, but on exhale all I get is hay. If that hay flavor was not there this would be great.
Findings- Not the best but better than some of the others I have personally tried
TFA Tobacco
Smell- Simply put Floral Perfume!
Taste- Unfortunately, this one tastes just like a flower. I feel like I am literally chewing on flower petals
Findings- some people personally enjoy floral vapes. If you do then please give this one a try you will like it.
TFA Cubano
Smell- Smells like Jalapenos or something with a very spicy kick. It burns my nose a bit and gives me the urge to sneeze
Taste- This is a spicy floral kind of flavor. This one is very hard to describe because I just can't describe it any better than a spicy floral.
Findings- again, if you are into spicy floral vapes you will really enjoy this, sadly this one is not for me.
Well, there you have it! all of my flavorings I have purchased so far and what I personally think about them. I hope this has been helpful for you with making your first diy flavor purchase. I know it has been for me and I now have a better understanding of how this whole DIY thing works. Now to use my new found knowledge and make something great
I recently came across a thread on this board where one person tested their flavors by putting a drop in a 5ml container of vodka and swishing it around, so this got me to thinking. I don't drink alcohol, so I decided to use water instead. I didn't want to go through the process of vaping every flavor so this was an ideal solution to try and my findings were far different than what I expected them to be and it has given me a better understanding about the different flavor profiles and how the way something smells and tastes are completely different from each other. I compared vaping a single flavor and swishing it with water to be pretty accurate for the most part. However, different strengths will give you different results (all flavors were tested at 1%). Anyway, I wanted to share with you newbies out there what I have learned. I hope you find this review helpful and I hope it will help you decide on a few good flavors to try out.
I want to point out that everyone's taste buds are different. What I like, you may not. I have tried to be as transparent as possible with my findings. Also, some flavors are more concentrated than others so their flavor profiles will be more on the perfume side in my review since all were tested at the same 1% strength and those flavors should be used at a smaller percentage or mixed with other flavors. If you have given any other flavors a try and want to add to this feel free to post below. Be sure to copy this post with your additions so all reviews can be found in one post.
*smells are based on the concentrated version before dilution
TFA Banana (ripe)
Smell- Very strong, smell like banana runts with a perfumy note.
Taste-Very Strong and perfumy, but definitely has a nice banana flavor, slightly bitter sweet on exhale similar to the rind of a banana.
Finding- This would make a nice stand alone used at a lower percentage. It would need some steeping or airing out to get the perfumy taste to soften. Will go nicely with other fruit or cream flavors.
TFA Acetyl Pyrazine 5%
Smell- In full concentrate it smells like fritos, prediluted (6 drops to 6ml of pg) smells like a slightly salty nut bread.
Taste- Pie crusty, bready but also a little nutty has a bit of a peppery after feel in my mouth. Get a monkey bread sort of vibe without the sweetness on exhale.
Findings-Very strong at the 5% so it needs to be diluted before using in your recipes or it will over power everything! I see this going great with my bakery vapes.
TFA Black Honey Tobacco
Smell- Honestly? it smells a bit like cat pee. I wont lie it's not very pleasant.
Taste-Wow, tastes like honey, but with a floral note and it leaves a silky feel in my mouth.
Findings- There is no real tobacco taste I get with this unless you consider the floral note tobacco, but I do think this would go nicely with a fruit and cream, but not as the main flavor.
TFA Toasted Almond
Smell- Smells like almonds, with the dirt and shells LOL yes I said dirt
Taste- Very nutty, I don't taste dirt, but there is a nice earthy taste, not bad. It has a very nice nutty after taste on exhale
Findings-This is a very good flavor if you like almonds it is very close to the real deal. I think this would go good with just about anything.
TFA Bavarian Cream
Smell- Caramel, creamy and sweet
Taste- Tastes like a creamy vanilla there is a very faint bitter after taste but on exhale it is buttery and sweet
Findings- I really like this flavor, I have used it in many of my vanilla based recipes and it seems to help blend it all together.
TFA Raspberry (sweet)
Smell- Very sweet candy like fragrance I can definitely smell the raspberry
Taste- Very pleasant flavor, similiar to those hard raspberry candies with the soft center, slightly sour and sweet on exhale.Findings- This is a very nice flavor if you like sweet and sour give this a try
TFA Coconut Extra
Smell- Smells like a nutty cherry (similiar to a cheap almond extract you get at the store) very perfumy and strong.
Taste- Still very strong and perfumy but I can taste the nut flavor however it doesnt really taste like a true coconut there is a bitter aftertaste.
Findings- This is the coconut extra, which means it is ultra concentrated so I assume that is why I don't find this one pleasant at 1% although, I have used it in several of my recipes and it is a very nice flavor. Caution very little is needed or it will overpower everything else in your mix.
TFA DX Hazelnut
Smell-More nutty and rich than the Toasted Almond I can detect very faint coffee notes.
Taste- NOT the same as it smells, it is very chemical based and only slightly nutty, The toasted almond packs more of a nutty punch. However, on exhale I do detect more nutty goodness.
Findings-I have never had a real hazelnut before so I can not give an honest opinion on this one. Although, it does pair well with the Toasted Almond.
TFA Green Apple
Smell- Very Strong, has a perfume too it, but it definitely smells like a green jolly rancher candy.
Taste- Yuck, smells better than it tastes. To me it tastes like car freshener and on the exhale there is a sour after taste.
Findings- This is a very strong flavor. I believe in the right % this could be a winner even as a stand alone especially if you like sour.
TFA Dragon Fruit
Smell- Very Subtle fragrance almost a mix between a plum and a berry.
Taste- Very nice flavor, sweet and fruity with a bit of tartness.
Findings- I have never tried real dragon fruit, but if the real thing tastes this good then I want some.
TFA Watermelon
Smell-Smells like a very ripe, freshly opened watermelon a bit on the artificial side but not much.
Taste- It has a nice flavor. Reminds me of watermelon taffy without the taffy.
Findings- This is worth getting I believe it will go nicely with a candy or fruity vape mix.
TFA Blueberry Wild
Smell- Fragrance seems a bit weak but I can detect the blueberry
Taste- The flavor is much stronger than the fragrance it is a very pleasant taste and very close to real blueberries
Findings- This one has a nice flavor could be great stand alone at the right %
TFA Juicy Peach
Smell- Smells like a peach flavored caprisun drink
Taste- Ha! Tastes like it too. Very good! it is not chemically at all it's sweet, juicy and fruity. I can almost feel the peach fuzz.
Findings- What an excellent flavor, not what I was expecting at all. This will be great on it's own.
TFA Pomegranate Deluxe
Smell- VERY Sweet and sour, my face puckered just from taking a whiff
Taste- It is NOT as sweet as it smells, it is a bit more on the bitter side. I was thrown off by this one. However, it is not a bad flavor a bit perfumy but it has a very nice smooth finish on the exhale
Findings- Yet another fruit I have never actually had, but I would expect it to taste similar to this
TFA Caramel Original
Smell- strong buttery note, with a touch of burnt sugar
Taste- very creamy, buttery a bit of sweet, but more creamy and buttery tastes exactly like caramel. The best description would be like the hard caramel candies.
Findings- If you like caramel you are going to love this one.
TFA Caramel Candy
Smell- I detect a hint of a buttery note and it is slightly sweet, but it has a more artificial smell to it than the caramel original
Taste- This one has a very different flavor profile than the caramel original. I am getting a weird vitamin after taste on this one.
Findings-If you are looking for a true caramel flavor than this one is not for you go with the original. With that said you could mix the 2 together and see what you get.
TFA Vanilla Bean Gelato
Smell- Very chemically, not really perfumy hard to explain
Taste- This tastes like a very cheap vanilla extract and it has a peppery feel in my mouth with a slight bitter taste. However, on the exhale it has a nice vanilla flavor
Findings- This one is a bit odd. I do like it and I use it in a lot of my recipes but I tend to pair it with some vanillin and bavarian cream. I have not tried it as a stand alone because I personally do not think it would be very good. but it does add a kick when mixed with other cream or vanilla type flavors
TFA Strawberry Ripe
Smell- WOW! Smells JUST like ripe strawberries plucked from the vine. Note I am not an artifical strawberry lover, but this smells fantastic!
Taste- I am equally impressed by this flavor it really is a true strawberry flavor it is sweet fruity and a bit tart. Perfect Replica IMO
Findings- If you are not a fan of strawberry flavorings. PLEASE give this one a try. I try to be bias in my reviews but MAN this stuff is wonderful.
TFA RY4 Type
Smell- Smells Chemically not really like a caramel, vanilla tobacco
Taste- Tastes like it has a hint of mint? Koolada? not really sure I sort of get an earthy flavor. Best put I feel like I am tasting a pine forest.
Findings- I can't say that this is bad, but it is definitely not something for me personally. It is not what I was expecting at all in flavor and I really do not detect any tobacco notes
TFA Pie Crust
Smell- Smells like...Pie Crust, graham crackery, buttery flaky crust.
Taste- The flavor seems a bit subtle to me but it is pretty spot on there is a light touch of sweetness and a nice creamy not on exhale
Findings- I would use a bit more of this in my recipes. It is very good and if you plan on making any cobbler or pie vapes give this one a try
TFA Pear
Smell- Very strong and perfumy but it does smell like pears. Maybe a hint of spice?
Taste- OMG! I had to spit this one out. at first it was sort of a strong pear and then it rapidly started tasting like vomit! seriously, I just couldn't take it.
Findings- I believe the nasty flavor is because this is super strong. I have used it in a VERY small percentage in one of my vapes and I acutally enjoy it very much so please do not take the vomit flavor as is. When vaping in a very small amount mixed with other flavors it is quite good.
TFA vanillin 10%
Smell- Very faint vanilla scent
Taste- Do not let the faint smell fool you. This stuff is VERY strong and will burn your taste buds off if you are not careful. It has a slight vanilla flavor.
Findings- This is not really a flavor it is more of an additive like Koolada or Sour. Use at a very small percentage and it can add a kick to your vanilla blends and even round them out a bit.
TFA Mild Black
Smell-Smells good sort of a tobacco, but I get a touch of vanilla in there.
Taste- Tastes similar to a vanilla cigar. This one is pretty true to it's name and the closest to a tobacco flavor I have tried so far.
Findings- My husband uses this one as a stand alone and the house gets that sweet vanilla cigar you would expect from a black and mile without the smoke.
TFA Red Type
Smell-Smells good, I can smell a touch of menthol in this one
Taste- sorry, not loving this one. it tastes like a mix of house cleaner, menthol and pine
Findings- Most tobacco flavors I have tried have the pine flavor to them. I am not sure if this is common but if you like those flavors give this one a try.
TFA Turkish
Smell- very earthy it does have a pleasant tobacco fragrance, but there is a hint of a green hay smell to it
Taste- upon tasting it seems like a very nice simple vape tobacco, but on exhale all I get is hay. If that hay flavor was not there this would be great.
Findings- Not the best but better than some of the others I have personally tried
TFA Tobacco
Smell- Simply put Floral Perfume!
Taste- Unfortunately, this one tastes just like a flower. I feel like I am literally chewing on flower petals
Findings- some people personally enjoy floral vapes. If you do then please give this one a try you will like it.
TFA Cubano
Smell- Smells like Jalapenos or something with a very spicy kick. It burns my nose a bit and gives me the urge to sneeze
Taste- This is a spicy floral kind of flavor. This one is very hard to describe because I just can't describe it any better than a spicy floral.
Findings- again, if you are into spicy floral vapes you will really enjoy this, sadly this one is not for me.
Well, there you have it! all of my flavorings I have purchased so far and what I personally think about them. I hope this has been helpful for you with making your first diy flavor purchase. I know it has been for me and I now have a better understanding of how this whole DIY thing works. Now to use my new found knowledge and make something great
