Producer: Full Moon, France
Recommended blend ratio: 8-15%.
Recommended ageing time: 3-7 days
At the request of a dear friend, I took a look at one of the members of the producer's "big fruit palette", a fruit combination called "Purple", which is a blend of grape and apple flavours. The producer is mainly active in the world of fruit flavours, ranging from simple blends to more complex fruit cocktails. Opinions are divided on the forums, with some praising and others less satisfied. So I thought I'd share with you my experience of what to expect from this variation called "purple skull".
The nose: a harmonious blend of apple and grape, with a strong and pleasant fruity aroma that gives a candy-like sensation. Although this is the "no fresh" version, it has a freshness that perhaps makes the fruit scent even more intense.
The flavours: well, here I was a bit disappointed. Based on the name and colour of the product I was expecting an Othello grape, but on first tasting I realised that this was a misconception and from then on I felt a bit tricked. Unfortunately, this is not the only case. On the inhale, there's a sweeter grape flavour, perhaps accompanied by the apple, although it doesn't really dominate unless you're constantly sniffing it. On the exhale there is a slightly minty, tangy flavour that is supposed to refresh the fruit. At the end of the whole steaming process, it's like sucking on a minty grapefruit. My thinking is that the grapes should dominate, complemented by the tart or sweet flavour of the apple, with a slight freshness. But instead, the grape and apple are not clearly separated, but rather a blended flavour that is hard to place. As it's part of the Just Fruit range, I don't understand why it has that little spicy minty note, which for me totally made the 'i'.
Summary: I tried a product with an eye-catching design and cool colours, and the pleasant smell initially gave me a positive impression. I was hoping to refute the criticisms and prove that it really does have a place among the "big boys". Unfortunately, however, the taste and the overall experience completely destroyed my initial enthusiasm and discouraged me from using it for any length of time. I know some people who stick with the manufacturer's products, which I respect, but I would recommend trying other manufacturers' products of similar or similar price.
