Nicotine Comparisons

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wolcen

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I cannot say it is the same quality as WL Ice, as I have not seen any analysis of WL Ice, and for me quality is determined by the specs, not subjectively. I can say that I cannot tell the difference taste/smell wise to WL Ice, both are what I call "invisible" nics. The analysis of NicVape showed it to be the cleanest nic I have seen, and I have seen analyses for many different and well-known nics, but not any of the WL line.

I was curious if you have ever asked for their COA's (or any analysis)? I thought I had asked for these, but searching my email it appears I must not have (I just did now though). I think all nic vendors should post these on their site. I've read what you've said about Boxed Elder and I commend them for their COA's now posted for pretty much if not everything they have up now. RTS as well - though I have noticed their documentation being outdated in the past (current documentation does appear to have changed recently but it no longer dates), and they have two source labs - definitely in the past at least, but I they may be at one now - but I've only ever seen one COA up at any time.

In fact, NicVape was the cleanest the analytical lab that did the AEMSA analysis had seen. As I said, crazy pure, and far purer than what is even required for pharma grade nic. This is not a statement about NicVape, per se, it is a statement about their source for the nicotine. I will not say who the source is, but they are Indian, and are using a pretty advanced purification method post-extraction. I had heard that WL Ice was sourced from India as well, and I suspect it was the same source. I think this particular nicotine manufacturer is making quite a name for itself in the US vendor circles. Would not be surprised if several are using it.

I'm not sure of the source for Ice myself either (which I was told was "99.9% pure"), but I do know for a fact the Ultra Pure they had for a while (seemed pretty much identical to the Ice to me) was from India. It sounds like that was a different source however and very expensive (and also had the highest assays John said he had ever seen). I don't believe the primary market for that supplier was vaping - all I know was that they did source for vitamins (niacin). Rumor has it that this source was ultimately removed from consideration due to inconsistent product (I don't know/recall where that information came from - it is elsewhere here on ECF).

That taste that some of us flavorless fans like (bite, a bit of funk) is evidently NOT nicotine itself, it is the other trace alkaloids and oxides found in even very high-grade nicotine, including pharma grade. These components are allowed below a particular level, but will very depending upon extraction methods, and even the batch. One can also have trace solvent present below a particular level, and depending on that solvent it might have a slight taste that comes through in the vapor. When all these trace components are either missing or very very low, there is no taste and very little smell. With time, of course, nic-oxides will form, and these have their own taste that will grow in, generally a tobacco-like flavor.

FWIW, when describing the "further-refined" Ice to me, John specifically mentioned it removed "minor alkaloids like myosamine". Just adding the little tidbits I've heard. Whatever those trace ultimately elements are, they definitely pack a wallop!
 

Kurt

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I never asked for WL CAOs. I suppose I could, but I don't ask for deep information from a vendor unless I am working with them professionally on QC, and I never have done this with WL. Not sure most companies would divulge that info, nor should they be required to without redacting sensitive info, like the nic supplier. Some are open about this, but some are very protective of their sources.

How one defines purity is a variable thing. If one does non-aqueous titration, this will include all other alkaloids, not just nicotine. There is also the issue of water content, which can also be included in the total value. So often something that is claimed to 99.93% pure, for example, might be as much as a % lower in actual nic content, or more.

A better method is GC-FID (flame-ionization detection), which is what AEMSA's analytical lab (Enthalpy Analytics) uses. Gives peaks for each component, so true % can be obtained from peak area integrations. There is generally about .5% water present in any pure nic sample, so 99.9+% is not generally possible, and depending on the method, might be including water and/or other alkaloids (in fact, this is likely). This was information I learned only recently. In general, the components we are concerned about are other alkaloids, trace metals, cotamine, oxides and residual solvents.

So measured purity value depends on method used to measure it. This is not very well known yet in the industry, and many post purities that are more than likely higher than the actual.
 

Barto

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Below his name you will see "Moved On", that means he no longer has an account on ECF that he can log into, so PM's will not be possible.
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So that's what it means!!
 

Stoneface

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I saw the thread, but have not ordered from them. Eric's support (on the first page of the thread) means something to me, since I feel he is a very conscientious vendor who takes great care to make sure every customer gets a safe and decent product. I glanced at the site back in March, but the options seemed limited to mixes that I don't prefer (I prefer 50/50 mixes) and the juice seemed a little pricey to me. A few months later, and I still haven't ordered anything...and I haven't read anything else posted on other threads about Nude Nicotine.
 

Myk

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I read through 2 comparisons which said basically the same things.
So I don't waste my time going through all these pages to see more of the same is there a blind taste test done in this thread?
Also has time been spent exclusive to one brand? I know Pepsi tasted like total crap to me when I drank Coke regularly. But when I drank mostly Pepsi it was Coke that tasted wrong. Now that I drink rootbeer it doesn't matter as much (although I prefer Coke). This is what worries me the most in finding my nic supplier. I know some complain of a funk with the liquid I buy, I'm sure I know what that funk is, but like when I was a Pepsi drinker, I kind of like the funk. I'm sure I could handle it if there was no funk (RC Cola) but a different funk could be like switching between Coke and Pepsi.

And now this is in my list so I can waste future time scanning through all these pages.
 

Aurora-Oblivion

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Myk

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Myk welcome, glad to have you. I'm not sure I understand your questions or conclusion though?

There is no blind test to my knowledge and I wouldn't know how to set something like that up in such a way that would be 'trusted' by everyone anyway

Anyway if I can help let me know.

Blind taste tests would be easy to set up. Make the mixes and bottle into identical bottles. Hand those bottles to someone and have them change your identifying labels to random A, B, C, etc.
That would remove any bias for or against any company and only be judging on the qualities of the liquids.
Yeah, nothing can be trusted by anyone over the internet. Perhaps something for a vape meet. Then even the clarity and color could be included.

As far as time spent. If all I vaped was brand A nicotine and I had a head to head battle (blind or not) with A, B, C and D, A is going to win every time.
However if B has a sale too good to pass up and I have to spend 3 weeks vaping brand B, A is going to end up tasting funky when I get back to it.
So I was wondering if these tests were quickies and the left overs were used up randomly or if they were used up in blocks so their particular attributes had time to grow on the tester. (Of course giving leeway for, "I can't stand D any longer, I have to dump the rest of the case." and "C makes me sick.")
When trying new flavors I always give them a day or three. I've had plenty of things that were distractions at first become unnoticable, like the strawberry flavoring that someone is including the caps in their extraction pulp.
 

Esoterica3

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Blind taste tests would be easy to set up. Make the mixes and bottle into identical bottles. Hand those bottles to someone and have them change your identifying labels to random A, B, C, etc.
That would remove any bias for or against any company and only be judging on the qualities of the liquids.
Yeah, nothing can be trusted by anyone over the internet. Perhaps something for a vape meet. Then even the clarity and color could be included.

As far as time spent. If all I vaped was brand A nicotine and I had a head to head battle (blind or not) with A, B, C and D, A is going to win every time.
However if B has a sale too good to pass up and I have to spend 3 weeks vaping brand B, A is going to end up tasting funky when I get back to it.
So I was wondering if these tests were quickies and the left overs were used up randomly or if they were used up in blocks so their particular attributes had time to grow on the tester. (Of course giving leeway for, "I can't stand D any longer, I have to dump the rest of the case." and "C makes me sick.")
When trying new flavors I always give them a day or three. I've had plenty of things that were distractions at first become unnoticable, like the strawberry flavoring that someone is including the caps in their extraction pulp.

Most of that has already been covered / answered in this thread, (or given access to other threads with more tech info)...If you read this thread from the beginning, I'm sure that all of your questions will be answered. It's been a long and enlightening experience!
 

Myk

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Most of that has already been covered / answered in this thread, (or given access to other threads with more tech info)...If you read this thread from the beginning, I'm sure that all of your questions will be answered. It's been a long and enlightening experience!

Which goes back to my original post,
"So I don't waste my time going through all these pages to see more of the same is there a blind taste test done in this thread?"
Which was answered,
"There is no blind test to my knowledge and I wouldn't know how to set something like that up in such a way that would be 'trusted' by everyone anyway"

There's almost 1000 posts here. I read forward enough to see the same test repeated with the same outcome. And I've since read backwards to get more up to date information and so far I haven't come across anything set up to remove subjectivity or get a wider view at a vape meet. It's not worthless information but so far what I've read hasn't been, "Buy this brand." or "Avoid that brand." or even "Choosy mom's choose Jiff." but "Buy from everyone and run your own test."
 

Myk

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Sounds like you volunteered to run it. Congratulations! I'm looking forward to your test reports.

I had already screwed up and put too many eggs in one basket deciding to DIY. I'm at enough of a risk of whether I can handle PG flavorings. If I can't deal with the nicotine I bought, further ventures into DIY will be a long way off. If I can deal with it I'm sure I have so much of it I'll become accustomed to the flavor by the time I'm ready to get more.
Plus you'll probably never see me at a vape meet to run a taste test the way it should be run. At best I could have 2-3 other people vaping and that would require converting those 2 other people (and I already know one of those wouldn't care unless smoking is the reason he doesn't seem to taste anything).
 
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