I called Ahlusion today and spoke with Wlad. I first told him about how much I am loving Caramel Wild Wood (had to ease into it. LOL) and then about how bad my early December order of Devil Dog is.
I proceeded to tell him about the terrible performance and absence in flavor. He assured me two things: 1.) the recipe and process haven't changed and 2.) he wasn't the one who made that bottle (I actually can't remember the last time my order said "mixed by Wlad," though that was the norm before they expanded).
Wlad asked me if I thought my taste in the liquid changed and I assured him it wasn't that, and even if my taste had changed, my knowledge of the liquid has not (not saying I know it more than him, but he ain't exactly got my bottle either). He never questioned coils or anything like that.
After I answered him honestly, he said "send me your order number and I'll be able to see exactly what happened with that bottle" (may there be a record of exactly how everything was made? Dunno.) I told him I would email him more detail about my experience with it, but he said "nah, just send me the order number and we'll get out a replacement." Note: I did NOT ask for a replacement.
I want to convey a few things about that interaction: 1) it wasn't easy for me to tell him how bad that liquid was, but he made it comfortable saying so. 2) I don't want anyone to think this is an example of what you can expect if you call Ahlusion and say your bottle tastes off (don't use me as an example), but I wanted to share my experience. I am 100% positive that some people have had different experiences with them in similar situations, and I am equally positive some people have had the same experience as I did--there are NO guarantees. 3.) There are no refunds or replacements with their eliquid, so this situation was likely due, at least in some part, to his and my particular history.
Glad you called him.