First Reviews: Gourmet Vapor and Velvet Vapors

[rayneinspain]

Gourmet Vapor

I'm a little nervous about reviewing Gourmet Vapor, since a) I ordered them as VG with either double or triple strengths (as they recommended on their site for VG-only) and b) well, because I literally have nothing nice to say.

All four were VG-only at 24mg nic.

Smooth Clove (double) - Definitely clove-like. Definite chemical undertone.

Real Irish Cream (double) - I was SO looking forward to this one...and oh so disappointing. I detected a bit of coconut and more of that odd chemical flavor. Even tried it 50/50 with my favorite Keoke Coffee from American eliquid Store, still a bit weird.

Raspberry (triple) - The other flavor I was very anxious to try. At first I liked it, but after the 3rd vape or so, the chemical undertone overpowered what little raspberry I initially tasted.

Coconut Cream Pie (triple) - Oh boy. Coconut definitely there, but this stuff was so overpowering I was queasy after the 2nd vape...took 3 soaks and dry burns to get some of the flavor and aroma out of my 510 atty (which has now been retired, I simply gave up). Made the enormous mistake of eating pizza about an hour later with the noxious smell of coconut still in my sinuses...the pizza I'd half-eaten just the night before now tasted ungodly horrible. Had to visit the porcelain god and rub Mentholatum up my nose to begin to get the smell and taste out of my system. What a nightmare.

Also, none of these produced decent amounts of vapor at all, which I found bizarre.

Velvet Vapors

After Saturday's unfortunate pizza-meets-coconut event, I was beyond nervous to even try another sample set.

This was a very pleasant surprise.

All were, again, completely VG, this time at 18mg nic.

Blueberry - I think my husband, a well-known blueberry freak, will adore this one. Very good flavor, just slightly perfume-y.

EDIT: Hubby just got home and loved this one! Says it tastes like blueberry pancakes.

Raspberry - Again slightly perfume-y, which makes me think I may set this and the blueberry aside for a few weeks and try them later. Decent raspberry flavor.

Caramel - Yes! Great caramel taste, no 'burnt sugar' flavor. Love this one.

Vanilla Caramel Tobacco - Extremely similar to the plain caramel, but with lovely vanilla notes. Not sure if I can really detect the tobacco, but that's fine with me. Delish.

Cinnamon Sugar - Gonna need a 30mL of this one, soon. Tastes exactly as the name says...a sweet cinnamon, not overpowering.

And all of this bunch produced enormous amounts of vapor.

Also came with a tiny sample of watermelon, which I must admit to being too scared to try yet lol. I'm afraid of getting a Jolly Rancher taste, which I cannot stand, so I may try it on my SIL who loves them.

 

[pkj]

Thank you for posting this review. I can't remember reading a review on this supplier before now.

I have a question for you. Did you start using these juices the day they arrived? Or did you wait a few days before your tried them?

I have read many times here on the forum that some juices improve as they age.

Next question: Did you contact the supplier and discuss this with them? What was their response?

I ask because one of my main suppliers (Backwoods Brew) received some products deemed, "Not Good Quality", or something like that. My juices tasted odd. When I contacted Backwoods Brew, they replaced my juices. Maybe something similar happened here in your case.

Paula

 

[rayneinspain]

Thank you for posting this review. I can't remember reading a review on this supplier before now.

I have a question for you. Did you start using these juices the day they arrived? Or did you wait a few days before your tried them?

I have read many times here on the forum that some juices improve as they age.

Both were tried the day they arrived--Saturday the 14th for Gourmet, today (the 16th) for Velvet. I am nothing if not impatient.

I'm definitely going to 'age' the fruity juices from VV, but honestly I was so nauseated from the odd chemical smell and taste from the GV juices that I don't have the heart/stomach to try them again. The only one I did try the next day was the Raspberry, and it still was not at all pleasant.

Next question: Did you contact the supplier and discuss this with them? What was their response?

I ask because one of my main suppliers (Backwoods Brew) received some products deemed, "Not Good Quality", or something like that. My juices tasted odd. When I contacted Backwoods Brew, they replaced my juices. Maybe something similar happened here in your case.

Paula

I've actually never contacted a vendor because I didn't care for a juice...yet, anyway. There were two from American eLiquid that I didn't care for at first but later grew to love (blackberry) or at least like (english toffee). Same thing with the Johnson Creek PG sampler.

I think, in GV's case, I simply don't care for their VG base and/or brand(s) of flavorings, since there was a consistent chemical smell/taste that permeated all flavors. I may contact them, though...the pizza fiasco was pretty traumatic.

 

[pkj]

Thanks for your quick reply.

Just to clarify, I do NOT advocate contacting any juice vendor because the juice is not to our liking / taste buds/ expected flavor etc. That is a chance we all take when any juice arrives. Even the juices from our preferred suppliers can taste differently from order to order. I think a lot of that is our taste buds playing around with us.

But...in your case: This is a new supplier to you. You have no other juices from them so you can't compare this experience with past orders from them.

Perhaps, Maybe, Just possibly, they have received calls from other customers about the recent orders they sent out. Maybe there is something they discovered that they need or want to take care of. Maybe you fall into that category. Maybe they will never know about your experience unless you send them an email and politely ask a couple questions and share your experience.

Heck, for all we know you did get a 'normal', regular tasting order.

I always try to order the smallest size possible from any new supplier. I don't want to end up with a big bottle of something I don't like.

FYI I use Backwoods Brew and Freedom Smoke USA. I like the juices they supply and I am very happy with pricing, service, and shipping time. I started with Backwoods Brew and figured I needed a back up supplier in case something happens to him (vacation, illness, etc). Freedom Smoke USA is located in Tucson and an easy drive from my home. It is nice to have a local supplier too. So now I have Two! And they are two that I really, really like

Nice chatting with you.
Paula - Arizona City, AZ

PS - I think there is a section here on this forum where you can swap, sell, buy, trade, etc juices. You might find someone over there that loves this particular supplier. Just a thought.

 

[rayneinspain]

Thanks for your quick reply.

Just to clarify, I do NOT advocate contacting any juice vendor because the juice is not to our liking / taste buds/ expected flavor etc. That is a chance we all take when any juice arrives. Even the juices from our preferred suppliers can taste differently from order to order. I think a lot of that is our taste buds playing around with us.

But...in your case: This is a new supplier to you. You have no other juices from them so you can't compare this experience with past orders from them.

Very true. One thing that crossed my mind as well is that I'm only 5-6 weeks into vaping, and my tastebuds are still changing. There are some foods and drinks I used to love that I'm now asking myself why I ever liked them!

Perhaps, Maybe, Just possibly, they have received calls from other customers about the recent orders they sent out. Maybe there is something they discovered that they need or want to take care of. Maybe you fall into that category. Maybe they will never know about your experience unless you send them an email and politely ask a couple questions and share your experience.

Heck, for all we know you did get a 'normal', regular tasting order.

Exactly. I'll let them know what I experienced, and hopefully it was just something 'off' in the mix.

EDIT: Email sent.

I always try to order the smallest size possible from any new supplier. I don't want to end up with a big bottle of something I don't like.

FYI I use Backwoods Brew and Freedom Smoke USA. I like the juices they supply and I am very happy with pricing, service, and shipping time. I started with Backwoods Brew and figured I needed a back up supplier in case something happens to him (vacation, illness, etc). Freedom Smoke USA is located in Tucson and an easy drive from my home. It is nice to have a local supplier too. So now I have Two! And they are two that I really, really like

Do you know if either vendor has all-VG juices? Once in a while I can handle a drop or two of PG mixed with VG, but typically I react pretty badly.

And actually, my mom wanted to try a new vendor and I went along with it (since I have the credit card!). I'm not as adventurous, it seems, with ejuice as I am with food.

Nice chatting with you.

You too.

PS - I think there is a section here on this forum where you can swap, sell, buy, trade, etc juices. You might find someone over there that loves this particular supplier. Just a thought.

I definitely thought about that over the weekend (I came very close to pitching them). I'll check it out.

 

[pkj]

I don't know if they have all VG juice or not. I DO know Backwoods Brew and Freedom Smoke USA BOTH hand mix every order as it arrives.

I DO know they both do everything they can to meet the customers needs.

I Do know they both respond quickly to inquiries.

Here is Backwoods Brew contact info. His name is Don. He is building a website as we speak. email: Dkrom681234@yahoo.com


Freedom Smoke USA has a website. Here is link:
FreedomSmokeUSA

I consider myself lucky that Backwoods Brew was the first juice supplier I used. I had a ton of questions and was nervous as heck trying to figure out what juice to get. He held my hand and walked me through it.

I also consider myself luck to have purchased juices from Freedom Smoke USA. It is a husband and wife team and they are both wonderful people. I have had the pleasure of meeting them. They have a top notch product.

Glad you shot an email off to your current supplier. An inquiry can't hurt, can it? Please keep me posted if and when your supplier responds to your email inquiry. I am curious as to what they say and how they handle your experience. Response emails, such as you sent to your current supplier, are a good indication of a companies service.

Go ahead and give a shout out to Backwoods Brew and Freedom Smoke USA. They will gladly answer all your questions.

We have so many good suppliers here in this forum. It is hard to know where to begin. The important thing is to remember that each of us has different tastes. You might like BBQ potato chips. I do not. I love caramel. You might hate it. I might think it is the perfect tobacco flavor and you might think it is too strong or weak.

Reading these juice review is NOT EASY WORK !! - LOL

Paula

 

[rayneinspain]

Blueberry - I think my husband, a well-known blueberry freak, will adore this one. Very good flavor, just slightly perfume-y.

EDIT: Hubby just got home and loved this one! Says it tastes like blueberry pancakes.

We may be rethinking our initial opinion on the Blueberry. After hubby tried it, I blew it out of the atomizer onto a paper towel, which I put in the wastepaper basket in the office next to the bedroom. The scent was overpowering for the next 3 hours I was working...and at 2 in the morning, my DH (still asleep) starts calling out to me "Are you vaping that blueberry again? I smell blueberries...I smell blueberries..."

Mind you, he talks like a loon in his sleep about 4 times a month, but this was weird.

He could smell this stuff in his sleep!

This morning, I did have to empty the basket, as the smell was quite overpowering in here, and only from one 3-drop atty blowout. VERY strong.

 

[Ryan Toupal]

I have to agree about the Caramel; finally a good one. I was looking for a light, refreshing, tangy type of vape and found it with key lime. More of my favorites with velvet vapors are English toffee, snickerdoodle, peaches, and pina colada. I've changed over to them full time. They seem healthier and don't taste chemically. They have a distinct taste, especially the fruit flavors.

 

[Nobodyatall]

Thanks so much for reviewing these 2 and please do let us know what the outcome is with GV. I'm looking for some variety in premium flavors and have been quite intrigued with GV and their proposition of "flavor to order".

Meanwhile, until the question surrounding GV is resolved, I will certainly give VV a try. They have some very fine sounding flavors indeed.

Again, thank you!

 

[pkj]

Did you hear back from GV? Did they respond to your inquiry?

Inquiring minds want to know

Paula

 

[rayneinspain]

UPDATE: Todd, the proprietor, suggested trying different PG/VG combinations, his personal recommendation being 80/20.

Afraid that's a no-go, as I can only tolerate PG in minute amounts only.

:: heavy sigh ::

What I think this means is that I just don't care for their liquids, be it the VG base, or the flavorings they use. Live and learn!

 

[rayneinspain]

I have to agree about the Caramel; finally a good one. I was looking for a light, refreshing, tangy type of vape and found it with key lime. More of my favorites with velvet vapors are English toffee, snickerdoodle, peaches, and pina colada. I've changed over to them full time. They seem healthier and don't taste chemically. They have a distinct taste, especially the fruit flavors.

I've been vaping a mixture of VV Caramel, American eLiquid (AEL) Keoke Coffee, and AEL English Toffee all day today (about a 2:3:2 ratio--the caramel's quite strong), and it's divine.

 

[rayneinspain]

UPDATE: Todd, the proprietor, suggested trying different PG/VG combinations, his personal recommendation being 80/20.

Afraid that's a no-go, as I can only tolerate PG in minute amounts only.

Todd replied with the suggestion that perhaps the VG was off somehow, and if I'd like to try one of the flavors with a new bottle.

If it proves to be unsatisfactory again, he's offering me a refund. If it's better, they'll redo the rest of the flavors.

Awesome!!

So, here's keeping all fingers and toes crossed that the Raspberry works this time. I'll come back to update when it arrives.

 

[pkj]

Todd replied with the suggestion that perhaps the VG was off somehow, and if I'd like to try one of the flavors with a new bottle.

If it proves to be unsatisfactory again, he's offering me a refund. If it's better, they'll redo the rest of the flavors.

Awesome!!

So, here's keeping all fingers and toes crossed that the Raspberry works this time. I'll come back to update when it arrives.

This is good news. Glad to hear the supplier listened to your concerns and is trying to address them. This resolution speaks highly (in my opinion) of this supplier. This is not to say you are going to like the juices any better. I HopE you do.

Thanks for the updates. Let us know how you like the replacement juice.
Paula

 

[xg4bx]

I just put in an order with GV both because they have a sale going on and because they have Booberry flavor (I love the cereal). I got the booberry, butterfinger and snickerdoodle. I'll post my impressions when I get them.

 

[Meggalette]

I placed an order with GV this morning too because of the sale, mainly, but I also wanted to try something different. I ordered Maiden Coffee, Sunset Dream, and my own creation which I named ChocoButter Cheesecake. I ordered these all in PG, 18mg. I'll post reviews when they arrive. One good thing I can say for this vendor, is they honored a discount that was a mistake in the first place, and they shipped my order, including a custom juice the same day it was ordered. So far, they are doing pretty good! Let's just hope the juice is good!

 

[jmaul99]

I ordered from Gourmet vapor and love the Cool Peach Ballini at 80% PG/ 20% VG this is my all day vape. I also ordered 2 custom flavors I made up. One is a raspberry limeade which is good, but not an all day vape. The other is a chocolate/ peanut butter/ banana mix I call Chocolate Elvis, but I didn't care for it a little to much peanut butter which overpowered the chocolate and banana. That was my fault, however, not the fault of gourmet vapor they just mixed it like I ask them to. All these juices were 80% VG/ 20% PG.

 

[SnowDragon]

Wise words indeed PKJ...

I also saw the sale at GV and being only 1 state over I was going to give them a try. However, they really haven't had many reviews and I wanted to wait. Good juice, bad juice is so hit and miss since we are all different.

However, a supplier working diligently with a customer to get it right and offering a refund speaks loud and clear in my book. I just stocked up pretty heavily in the last 2 weeks but I think I am going to give GV a shot.

Whenever I have a new supplier and want to give them a try I always wait a couple of day after receiving their sampler juice. Then I won't vape that morning at all, then I try 1 and only 1 flavor. I pour a large glass of ice water, try it at 3.7v, then I wait about 10 minutes and try it again. Drink a little water, then put it on my passthrough at 5v and do the same thing.

The lines can become blurred if you have been vaping on 1 flavor, then try a new flavor. I have also found that juice can taste dramatically different at different voltages.

If I am hopping from between a bunch of different juices through the day with out a break, pretty soon only the strongest wins out.

Always enjoy your input PKJ...

 

[rayneinspain]

This is good news. Glad to hear the supplier listened to your concerns and is trying to address them. This resolution speaks highly (in my opinion) of this supplier. This is not to say you are going to like the juices any better. I HopE you do.

Thanks for the updates. Let us know how you like the replacement juice.
Paula

So..........................the replacement Raspberry arrived about a week ago.

Tasted the same. Very weird chemical taste and smell. Couldn't really detect anything resembling raspberry.

I let it sit for 2 days.

Tasted the same.

Emailed Todd on 8/25 and explained that it tasted the same.

I expected a refund, promptly.

Five days later, nothing.



NOT happy.

 

[xg4bx]

I posted a review of the juices I got from GV, I'm not too happy.