I have all 3 Caramels from TFA and I agree with you on the Caramel Candy. To me it has an off, chemical smell to it. I haven't had the nerve to add it to any of my mixes yet.
I like the Original Caramel but it has corn syrup in it and seems to clog coils quick.
The plain Caramel is my favorite, I've been adding it to a lot of mixes and everyone has been really good.
I don't really like most of the flavors I have anyway so don't mind mixing them together. I just have the flavors in individual bottles and mix in my clearomizer. If it is too horrible to vape, I toss it into the mystery juice bottle. When the mystery juice bottle gets about full I try it, if it is still bad, I toss it into the big mystery juice bottle.
I think I've broken just about every rule/suggestion on DIY mixing that I've read on the forums.
I can't taste vanilla cupcake or cotton candy so I use those to neutralize flavors that are only a little bad. LOL
I suspect I'm a fruity/sour candy type person which is sad because I really wanted to like waffles, cinnamon rolls, cakes and cookies.