The issue I have is that I really don't know how to explain the flavor .. only been vaping a few months and I'm definitely not a connoisseur in this or anything else (pretty sure my taste buds are still growing back and I'm a very plain person when it comes to foods). I cannot taste the caramel or caramel tones, it doesn't taste or feel creamy .. all I can really taste is the vanilla.
I understand what you are saying. I am no "super taster" either. 30+ years of a pack and a half a day habit, plus continued taste bud abuse (strong day-old coffee, lots of garlic and onions, and lots of spicy foods sure don't help), are not the ideal environment for developing a winning "chef's" palate.
I often can not detect all the subtle layers, and nuances, that other more skilled mixers can. I too, have a hard time describing what I am tasting.
That all said; I have learned, through my own DIY experiences, that my sorry palate
can still detect when something is (or is not) there. I mention this, because I suspect; that though you may not be able to identify or taste the caramel in a way you can put into words, you may be identifying the difference in ingredients (both present and absent).
I think it would be worth picking up a general purpose caramel (like FA Caramel, or TFA Caramel Original), and do a small side-by-side test. Mix two small batches of the same recipe with the same ingredients, one with a small amount of caramel (0.25%-0.50%), and one without the caramel. Then, you can compare, and see if caramel is part of the missing piece.
Just a thought...
The juice itself almost smells like the vanilla extract you'd use for baking rather than a dessert vanilla, best way I can describe it.
That, for my taste buds, would be TFA Vanilla Bourbon (or TFA Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla; which is the same concentrate without the ethyl alcohol). For my palate, and even worse sense of smell, Vanilla Bourbon is a dead ringer for the average vanilla extract found in any kitchen. I have even used it (once) in a pinch in the kitchen, when I was out of the extract, and it subbed flawlessly.
I ordered the Cinnamon Roll just to try it out, not to match flavor .. was trying to go for a vanilla milkshake deal with some cinnamon on top. It didn't taste bad by any means, just too sweet for my taste, and not something I could vape all day.
Single flavor testing (SFT) is most helpful, for me, to understand what flavor(s) are/aren't being contributed by that specific concentrate. Cinnamon Roll is going to add cakiness to a recipe. If you don't want that; try a different cinnamon concentrate. TFA Cinnamon Spice, FLV Rich Cinnamon, or FA Cinnamon Ceylon, are all good possibilities for creating a cinnamon you might find in your kitchen pantry.
As for it being too sweet, or if a mix seems too in-your-face; try cutting it, with some of your unflavored mix. This keeps the PG/VG ratio and nicotine strength the same, while diluting the existing flavors.
One word of caution though; don't dilute the entire batch all at once. Often, I will take as little as 1 or 2mL of the original mix, and dilute only that. This easily provides me with enough to test vape; while not creating excess amounts of less-than-desirable results. It also leaves me with original mix, that I can try different dilution ratios, if the first effort isn't a success.
And, usually, diluting does not require any additional aging. Dilute... shake... and you are ready to vape. You can know quite quickly, if you are moving in the right direction.
I will try the vanilla's solo, but just from smelling them, I don't think its going to be what I'm after.
for solo testing! It may seem a bit tedious, and the results can seem boring, underwhelming, or even incomplete. But, the information learned, can be most helpful.
Smelling concentrates, for me, has never been very useful/informative. In my experiences, the undiluted concentrate aroma, and the final diluted flavor, often have very little in common. But, that is just my experience. My sense of smell is even worse than my sense of taste.
I do know some other DIYers seem to be able to judge a concentrate based on smell. I am not them; and I respect their opinions. It just doesn't help
me.
Thanks to all of you, though ... the help and advice is definitely appreciated even though it may seem like I'm a stubborn mule ;(
You are not being stubborn. You are merely trying to find what is going to work best for you.
DIY is all about finding ingredients, and methods, that makes enjoyable e-liquid, without being a major pain in the rump. If you can do that; then, in my book, you are a successful DIYer. Whether anyone else agrees with you is entirely immaterial.
My suggestions are just ways that have worked for me... one DIYer. Other methods, ways of looking at things, and ingredients; are every bit as valid. And, may work as well, or better, for you. Experimentation is the only real way to know.
The challenge is not to get frustrated and give up. Keep your expectations reasonable, have fun with the new adventure, and don't be hard on yourself. Learning to DIY is a process. If it was instantaneous; everyone would be doing it, and e-liquid manufactures wouldn't be able to charge what they do.
