My DIY Diary

[flowerpots]

I tongue tasted the following tobacco flavors - the concentration was approximately 20% mixed with PG:

Dirty Neutral Base (DNB) - INA This is ashtray-ish, but at a low %, in a good way, mimics an analog better than any other tobacco flavoring I have had so far

tobacco - INA Very sweet, mild, cigarette and pipe mix

Buckabee & Heinz - FE Sweet, strong, bitter, cigar mixed in

7 Leaves - FA Camel-ish, sweet, medium body

Virginia - INA Very Sweet, mild, mellow

Dark Fire - INA Authentic concord grape note, sweet, dark describes it perfectly - midnight vape

Cuban Cigar - INA Never had a Cuban cigar so I have no idea what to compare this to. It is fruity sweet, but not overly sweet, medium bodied and complex

 

[flowerpots]

I started by testing these single flavors. I taste-tested each flavor full strength on my tongue, then mixed at a 5% concentration in 50VG/50PG base without nicotine, and tasted immediately after mixing. Then, I retested each flavor after 1 week of steeping at the 5%. Then, I have increased the % to 9% for each flavor and retested again. These are the results of an 11% test. All tests done with a LR510 atty:

Royal Raspberry: LA - 11% is still too weak

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 1/5
Tartness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 2.5/5

Nectarine: LA - 11% is good for mixing and standalone

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 3.5/5

Double Apple: FW - 11% is still too weak

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 1/5
Tartness: 1/5
Strength of taste: 2/5

Lemon: TFA

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 1/5
Sourness: 3/5
Strength of taste: 2.5/5

Mango: TFA - even at 11%, the flavor is on the weak side

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 3/5
Strength of taste: 2.5/5

Cantaloupe: TFA - I decided to try this flavor at 11% even though at 9% it seemed to be okay. At 11% it's perfect for mixing.

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 3/5

Dragon Fruit: TFA - 11% is still too weak

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 3/5
Strength of taste: 2.5/5

Black Cherry: FW - 11% is still too weak

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 1/5
Strength of taste: 1.5/5

Black Currant: FW - 11% is still too weak

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 1/5
Strength of taste: 2/5

Bubble Gum: TFA - 11% is okay for mild mixing

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 3/5

 

[flowerpots]

Trying my first recipe tonight that I pulled off the net:

Apricadabra: by Arnie H. - steep 10 days

Apricot 9%
Nectarine 4%
Peach 3%
Lemon 1%
Sweetener 3.5% - I am omitting the sweetener because the nectarine and peach are sweet alone

Combined the flavors without adding any base and will let steep a few days first. Then I will add the PG/VG.

I increased each flavor by 2% to see if I can get more flavor:

Apricot - LA 11%
Nectarine - LA 6%
Juicy Peach - TFA 5%
Lemon - TFA 3%

No sweetener added yet

At the above %'s, this is a light and refreshing vape, but I will bump it up a little to see what happens to the flavors:

Apricot - LA 13%
Nectarine - LA 8%
Juicy Peach - TFA 7%
Lemon - TFA 5%

No sweetener

 

[flowerpots]

I have tested TFA Caramel Cappuccino at 1,2, and 3 drops per 10ml with steeping between drops added. This stuff is horrible It has a strong burnt coffee note, tastes very artificial. I even tried to temper it with 7% vanilla swirl. This made it even worse.

If you want to work with it, 2 drops/10ml seems to be about right for standalone.

 

[flowerpots]

I made a recipe on HIC's (HeadInClouds) blog, but adjusted the concentrations to my tastes and brand of flavors - I substituted FA for TFA and LA. It needs about 4-5 days of steeping with the flavorings combined alone (before adding base and nicotine) to air off the alcohol flavor from the brandy. This is a great recipe:

Brandied Apricots:

LA Apricot 9%

TFA Sweet Cream 9%

TFA Brandy 2%

LA Honey 3%

I love this recipe as is, but I added 2% more TFA Sweet Cream to see how it would change the recipe. It is nice at 11% Sweet Cream if you are looking for a creamier vape with mouthfeel.

I tried this again after a few days steeping with the extra cream. The extra cream takes the bite out of this recipe, which I really happen to like, so I think it's better with the lower % cream.

 

[flowerpots]

I am taste testing these flavors at approximately 20% in PG only on my tongue to see what properties each has:

White Grape - FA Out of bottle this flavor has a perfumey scent. Mixed with PG, it has a floral note to it. This is an authentic clean, light flavor that would compliment many recipes. Based on the perfumey/floral aspect, it may need a while to steep

Fig - CAP Very strong taste, sharp, clean, authentic

Plum - HS Very strong - concentrated, authentic fruit, but not ripe fruit

Boysenberry - TFA Very strong - concentrated, authentic, heavy perfume note

Guava - LAN strong, authentic, also perfume note

Cherry - LAN Strong, cough syrup flavor, blech

Cherry - INA More authentic red maraschino cherry

Lychee - TFA Authentic, bite to it, sour note

Lychee - FA Authentic but bolder, same bite and sour note, more perfumey

Cucumber - CAP Sweet cucumber, authentic, has an aftertaste

Cold Pressed Lime - FA Authentic fruit, sweet and sour, margarita-ish

 

[flowerpots]

I tongue tasted the following flavors to see what recipes they would go in. The concentration was approximately 20% mixed with PG

Sweet Cream TFA – just like the name says, comparable to half-n-half, would be good with coffee and coffee mixes, with fruit for the fruit and cream effect, has an actual dollop of cream mouth feel to it, natural tasting

Marshmallow TFA – artificially sweet like the product; lighter feel to it

Bavarian Cream TFA – rich with vanilla, somewhat artificial tasting; donuts, some desserts

Caramel Candy TFA – very candyish tasting, just like the caramel candy squares, not like true caramel; very sweet – could be used to sweeten recipes

Butter Cream NF - Just like butter cream icing, artificially sweet, slight vanilla component

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream TFA - I have no idea how they do it, but this tastes pretty close to the ice cream, but with a fake-ish vanilla note. It even has a taste of being ice cream as opposed to an icing or cream, but not a koolada type of cool - there's no cool sensation like you get with koolada

Vienna Cream FA- This is the 2nd most authentic tasting cream, with Sweet Cream being the 1st. It is light, more authentic vanilla than the other creams I've sampled, and would pair well with recipes that mimic cookies or baked desserts. It would also pair well with tobaccos and bourbons

Cream - FE This cream is sweeter than the sweet cream from TFA, but provides more mouthfeel and would be good with richer recipes. This is a layered flavor even as a standalone

Custard - FA I have not had any custard vapes, so I cannot rate this in comparison to anything. It has a strong alcohol tasting component, not because it contains ethyl alcohol, but because it seems to have that flavor component. It tastes kind of fake, so I would imagine not the best custard available

Cream Cheese Icing - TFA This tastes like authentic cream cheese icing, vanilla that is natural - I would rank it 3rd place for natural, uncloying taste

I tested these flavors tonight:

Karmel - INA (e-aromat) Perfect natural caramel flavor, on the light side so you may need a high %

Caramel (Classic) - TFA Stronger flavor than INA's and natural as well, coffeehouse type

Creamy Caramel - LAN Strong flavor, natural but with a molasses note, sugared caramel



These are all nut flavors:

Almond - INA (e-aromat) Smells and tastes exactly like almond extract you use for cooking, kind of artificial and alcohol smell

Walnut - FA More authentic than the almond, light flavor - may need higher %

Peanut - FA Peanut and hull taste

Hazelnut - TFA Authentic, perfect

Creamy Hazelnut - LAN Also authentic, but with mouthfeel

Pistachio - TFA Immitation pistachio flavor, but well-done

Pecan - LAN Sweet authentic nut

 

[flowerpots]

These are the results of a 13% test. All tests done with a LR510 atty:

Royal Raspberry: LA - 13% is still too weak - I still taste the VG more than the flavoring

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 1.5/5
Tartness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 3/5

Nectarine: LA - 13% is good for mixing and standalone

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 3.5/5

Double Apple: FW - At 13% it is still too weak and now has an aftertaste

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 1/5
Tartness: 1/5
Strength of taste: 2.5/5

Lemon: TFA Still looking for more flavor that 13% provides

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 1/5
Sourness: 3/5
Strength of taste: 3/5

Mango: TFA - Even at 13%, the flavor is on the weak side, but possibly good for those without numbed tastebuds

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 3/5
Strength of taste: 3/5

Cantaloupe: TFA - I decided to try this flavor at 13% even though at 9% it seemed to be okay. At 11% it's perfect for mixing. At 13%, it's great for standalone.

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 3.5/5

Dragon Fruit: TFA - 13% is still too weak for me

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 3/5
Strength of taste: 2.5/5

Black Cherry: FW - 13% is still too weak

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 1.5/5
Tartness: 1/5
Strength of taste: 2/5

Black Currant: FW - 13% is still too weak to me. It seems decent for mixing at this %, but it will not be noticeable in a recipe at this strength.

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 1/5
Strength of taste: 3/5

Bubble Gum: TFA - At 13% the taste has changed and is off a bit.

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 3/5


I seem to like higher %'s than most people. I am looking for in-your-face flavor.

 

[flowerpots]

I took these standalone taste test mixes and combined them to see the effect they have, how they pair together:

Watermelon and Papaya both at 9% - Interesting; the papaya dominates; on the inhale, you get a slight sweet, juicy note from the watermelon, followed by the sharpness and stronger flavor of the papaya.

Peach and Pear both at 7% - This becomes a sweet pear taste; the peach is almost indistinguishable.

 

[Blitzdonlife]

Good stuff. Been meaning to try an apricot flavor. Invest in a mini crockpot for steeping, especially for FA tobacco flavors. It cut my steep times down from 1 month, to 1 week + 4 hours at 150F in the crockpot.

 

[Blitzdonlife]

Oh, and TFA watermelon goes well with a menthol and a touch of Juicy Peach. I use 5% watermelon, 3% menthol, 2% Juicy Peach all TFA.

 

[flowerpots]

Good stuff. Been meaning to try an apricot flavor. Invest in a mini crockpot for steeping, especially for FA tobacco flavors. It cut my steep times down from 1 month, to 1 week + 4 hours at 150F in the crockpot.

I have both LAN and FA apricots. LAN is sweeter and stronger, while FA is more authentic and light.

If you are looking for great tobaccos, check out Hangsen and Inawera also. Both of these have some great choices.

I haven't tried to heat steep any of my juices yet. I have a crock pot so I could feasibly try it out. I have 120mls of a new tobacco juice from a vendor that I really want to rush. I may use the crockpot method on it.

 

[flowerpots]

I made my first tobacco tester tonight - 3 drops of INA e-aromat Virginia in 4ml 50VG/50PG mix, no nicotine. I will let this steep awhile before I test it.

 

[flowerpots]

These are the results of a 15% test. All tests done with a LR510 atty:

Royal Raspberry: LA - 15% is still too weak - no change from the 13%

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 1.5/5
Tartness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 3/5

Nectarine: LA - 15% is also good for mixing and standalone, just like 13%, but the 15% brings a tartness note that was absent before

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 2/5
Tartness: 1/5
Strength of taste: 3.5/5

Double Apple: FW - At 15% it is still too weak and no aftertaste like at 13%

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 1/5
Tartness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 3/5

Lemon: TFA 15% increases flavor, but also changes the flavor to a more synthetic lemon taste

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 1/5
Sourness: 3/5
Strength of taste: 3.5/5

Mango: TFA - Even at 15%, the flavor is on the weak side, but I think this is more subtle flavor in general, at least from this vendor

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 3/5
Strength of taste: 3.5/5

Cantaloupe: TFA - I decided to try this flavor at 15% even though at 9% it seemed to be okay. At 11% it's perfect for mixing. At 13%, it's great for standalone. At 15% it's starting to come alive

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 3.5/5

Dragon Fruit: TFA - 15% is still too weak for me for standalone, but would mix well at this %, this flavor has a creamy texture to it

Fragrance: 2/5
Sweetness: 3/5
Strength of taste: 3/5

Black Cherry: FW - 15% is still too weak

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 1.5/5
Tartness: 1/5
Strength of taste: 2.5/5

Black Currant: FW - 15% is still too weak to me. It has taken on a perfumey note at this %. I will not go any higher even though it's still subtle

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 1/5
Strength of taste: 3/5

Bubble Gum: TFA - At 15% the taste is still a off a bit. I won't go any higher

Fragrance: 1/5
Sweetness: 2/5
Strength of taste: 3/5


I will retest some of these at 17%

 

[flowerpots]

Trying my first recipe tonight that I pulled off the net:

Apricadabra: steep 10 days

Apricot 9%
Nectarine 4%
Peach 3%
Lemon 1%
Sweetener 3.5% - I am omitting the sweetener because the nectarine and peach are sweet alone

Combined the flavors without adding any base and will let steep a few days first. Then I will add the PG/VG.

I increased each flavor by 2% to see if I can get more flavor:

Apricot - LA 11%
Nectarine - LA 6%
Juicy Peach - TFA 5%
Lemon - TFA 3%

No sweetener added yet

I increased each flavor by 2% to see if I can get more flavor:

Apricot - LA 13%
Nectarine - LA 8%
Juicy Peach - TFA 7%
Lemon - TFA 5%

No sweetener added yet

I retested this tonight after a few days to steep. This is a perfect recipe at these final %'s for those who like stronger flavor.

 

[flowerpots]

I made my first tobacco tester tonight - 3 drops of INA e-aromat Virginia in 4ml 50VG/50PG mix, no nicotine. I will let this steep awhile before I test it.

Tonight I made 3 more tobacco testers at 3 drops in 5ml 50/50 mix, no nicotine:

Dark Fire - INA

Cuban Cigar - INA

Huckabee & Heinz - FE

 

[flowerpots]

I'm taste testing these flavors on my tongue, mixed at approximately 20% in pure PG:

Lychee - TFA sharp, a bit sour, authentic, clean

Lychee - FA chemical taste, also sour, but sharper

Raspberry - CAP sweet with a sour note, authentic ripe, stronger than the TFA Royal Raspberry

Apple Tart (Granny Smith) - TFA green jolly rancher, but will need something to add sweetness if using this for a jolly rancher recipe

Green Apple - TFA TFA chemical tasting, tart, subtle flavor

Honeysuckle - TFA perfect authentic; would be great to add to fruits and drinks

Honey Dew - TFA surprisingly strong compared to the cantaloupe, authentic

Pomegranate Deluxe - TFA sweet authentic, a bit tart, tastes exactly like the jelly inside a jelly donut

Guava - LA very subtle flavor, semi-sweet, somewhat authentic

Strawberry (Ripe) - TFA accurate ripe fruit taste, perfect

Plum - LA more subtle and less authentic than the FA plum

Butterscotch - TFA authentic, medium strength

Orange Cream - TFA push-up pop, very good

Banana Cream - TFA banana laffy taffy

 

[Blitzdonlife]

Oh, and TFA watermelon goes well with a menthol and a touch of Juicy Peach. I use 5% watermelon, 3% menthol, 2% Juicy Peach all TFA.

I'm sorry, I consulted my Recipes and it was 6% Watermelon, 3% menthol (10% solution), 1% juicy peach. My mistake.

 

[flowerpots]

I tongue tasted the following flavors to see what recipes they would go in. The concentration was approximately 20% mixed with PG.

Alcohol Flavors:

Kentucky Bourbon - TFA authentic, medium strength, slight caramel note

Vanilla Bourbon - TFA stronger bourbon taste than the Kentucky Bourbon, medicinal vanilla *this is dark colored and I think wingsfan0310 mentioned in another thread that this flavor is a coil killer

Brandy - TFA authentic, clean, medium strength *also cararmel colored

Rum - FE authentic, clean, well-done, medium strength

Almond Amaretto - TFA this flavor is much better than the alcohol/liqueur equivalent, Disaronno, because the almond taste is very authentic and the amaretto flavor is separate and light - you can taste each individual flavor as opposed to a melded nut distilled alcohol

Irish Cream - TFA very well done, authentic, medium strength, not overpowering

 

[flowerpots]

I'm working on a fruit blend and want to use fig as my main, highlighted fruit flavor. I am looking at potential blends with different fruits. I started with this:

5ml test batch:

Capella Fig - 4%
FA peach - 3%
TFA Blueberry Extra - 3%
I drop of TFA Honeysuckle

I honestly can't taste anything except the base at this point. I will let it steep a few days and see if the flavors develop.

I'm looking for a complex fruit and I'm not sure how to achieve that. I can get fruit mixes that vary in intensity of flavor, but they all are pretty much 2 dimensional. If I add cream or marshmallow, it increases mouthfeel, which does sort of add complexity, but not really. I don't want to make it a dessert type vape by adding pie crust or graham cracker. Does anyone have suggestions on how to make a juice complex with levels of flavor?