Sense of Smell vs Sense of Taste

[Newwell]

I am new to DIYing, as a matter of fact I just got all my stuff the other day.
I would like to find out if I AM CRAZY or not. Or if my sense of smell & taste are screwy from too many years of smoking.

I was testing flavors by mixing 20 drops PG & 1 or 2 drops of fruit/soda flavorings each in their own bottle (sort of 5%/10% idea as many people here have suggested). I was trying to get a sense of what each tasted like. I let them sit about 20 mins and test vaped in an atty.
The mixes smelled great, but there was either no or very little flavor in any of them. I was bummed.

Question: Does the odor of the flavoring get stronger the higher the percentage of flavoring used? Or does it smell the same & only the flavor intensify when you add more flavoring?

Any advice would be appreciated

 

[AzPlumber]

You will probably need a bit of sweetener to bring out flavors. Lorann Tart & Sour will also make the fruity one pop.

 

[simplyme82]

Some flavors need 20% flavoring. For instance, Capellas Vanilla Custard smells yummy when mixed at any percentage, but I didn't get the taste I wanted until I bumped it to 20%. Some flavors need time to meld together. Let the bottle sit for a week and come back to it.

 

[Iffy]

Just an an aside, noticed you're approaching two months vaping. First of all congrats on that!

It took me 'bout three/four months to discern the diff subtle levels of multi-flav jooses.

In fact I just retried some DIY Cap Blueberry Cinnamon Crumble which didn't impress me early on, just a bland generic so-so. Now my palette can taste the diff elements and am satisfied with the mix.

Hang in dere!

 

[Iffy]

Drats... another double post!

 

[Iffy]

 

[Newwell]

Iffy,
When I first started vaping & quit the taste/smell-killer cigs I liked the "heavier" flavor juices. Now I have found that my tastes are more to the lighter, fruiter side. I still like the creamy flavors, but if I had to pick an all day vape it would be peach (my present fav).

Geez, I hope my tastes don't keep changing so rapidly because I'll be broke buying flavors.

PS - Luv the head banging

 

[Newwell]

You will probably need a bit of sweetener to bring out flavors. Lorann Tart & Sour will also make the fruity one pop.

Thanks Az, I will try adding some sweetener. I have EM (10% PG) & Marshmellow. What kind of percentage would you suggest as a starting point?

 

[Tona Aspsusa]

I am new to DIYing, as a matter of fact I just got all my stuff the other day.
I would like to find out if I AM CRAZY or not. Or if my sense of smell & taste are screwy from too many years of smoking.

I was testing flavors by mixing 20 drops PG & 1 or 2 drops of fruit/soda flavorings each in their own bottle (sort of 5%/10% idea as many people here have suggested). I was trying to get a sense of what each tasted like. I let them sit about 20 mins and test vaped in an atty.
The mixes smelled great, but there was either no or very little flavor in any of them. I was bummed.

It's likely that the suggestions you have already gotten here are correct. BUT:

You could be like me, some kind of crypto-supertaster.

I didn't figure it out until I tested a favourably reviewed juice, that smelled really strongly, and thought it didn't taste much at all. Later that evening I read Hoosier's fabulous guide to "how much flavour" where he points out that over a certain point, all flavour just disappears.

So now I start very very low on flavouring.

 

[Hoosier]

It's likely that the suggestions you have already gotten here are correct. BUT:

You could be like me, some kind of crypto-supertaster.

I didn't figure it out until I tested a favourably reviewed juice, that smelled really strongly, and thought it didn't taste much at all. Later that evening I read Hoosier's fabulous guide to "how much flavour" where he points out that over a certain point, all flavour just disappears.

So now I start very very low on flavouring.

I was wondering if the OP was like Tona myself. That part about smelling great, but not tasting right seems familiar...

 

[sh_]

I am new to DIYing, as a matter of fact I just got all my stuff the other day.
I would like to find out if I AM CRAZY or not. Or if my sense of smell & taste are screwy from too many years of smoking.

I was testing flavors by mixing 20 drops PG & 1 or 2 drops of fruit/soda flavorings each in their own bottle (sort of 5%/10% idea as many people here have suggested). I was trying to get a sense of what each tasted like. I let them sit about 20 mins and test vaped in an atty.
The mixes smelled great, but there was either no or very little flavor in any of them. I was bummed.

Question: Does the odor of the flavoring get stronger the higher the percentage of flavoring used? Or does it smell the same & only the flavor intensify when you add more flavoring?

Any advice would be appreciated

Hello Newwell, I had the same issue myself.

The problem is that once you mix your flavor and base it will take awhile to get the final "product" and if you try it right after you mix, you end up having a different flavor (usually more perfume than flavor) right after mixing. The same juice you mixed today will be totally different after 1 week steeping.

The steep process helps a lot and I would say thats mandatory. Thats really tricky and I was frustrated in my first week on DIY until I really realized that testing some of the juices I made about 1 week before.

My suggestion is, after mixing let it steep for 24 hours in a bottle w/o the cap (yes let the bottle opened in the first 24 hours after mixing your juice). After 24 hours close the bootle, give a shake of about 1 minute and let it sit for another 5 to 6 days and you will be good to go.

Another thing that I learned is that TPA flavors will require at least 3 days of steeping to loose its perfume, so you will have more taste after 3 days steeping.

On my last recipe I really archieve what I wanted and turns out that the flavor is awesome (at least for me).
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-liquid-recipes/263289-sh7-chocolate-tabacco.html

Hope it works for you.

 

[Semiretired]

I started at 5% and worked up to 10% on many flavors. Found on some I needed 20% and others 2% to get it right (very inconsistent - requires a lot of notes to remember which way for what flavor). And some did not work until they had steeped for a week or more.

 

[Newwell]

Thanks Everybody
I haven't had time to do much DIYing since I got my stuff. DH has been sick with the flu. So I'm going to take all of your suggestions & start up again tomorrow.
The "perfumey" part seemed to be an issue I was having. Everything tasted like perfume. I'll go with the 1 week steep suggestion. Gosh, that's tough when you want to get into DIYing. I am an impatient sort.
Again thanks
PS - We've made the 2 month mark today. I am so excited

 

[Bostonsnboxers]

I disagree with the 1 week steeping. Heck, I'd never vape anything if I had to wait that long!
Granted, tobaccos need that, and there may be a few flavs here and there (Capellas cheesecake is a good example) but as a general rule I find that an overnight steep is going to give you a pretty good idea of what a flavor is. It will age after that, but I don't find it necessary to 'wait' a week before tasting.
Fruit flavors are usually great with an overnight steep.
Custards after 3 days.
They will mature and deepen, but those times will give you an idea of the flavor levels.
If a flavor is still very perfumey after 3 days, chances are you used too much, or it's a baaaaad flavor lol!

 

[Sweeney Todd]

Yeah, I agree that steeping is a multi-stage process. Don't feel afraid to try your juices after an overnight steep, just be sure to leave some to try out a few days later.

 

[Newwell]

I was wondering if the OP was like Tona myself. That part about smelling great, but not tasting right seems familiar...

I read Hoosier's DIY Guide before I mixed (although I didn't let it steep). I thought I started with a low percentage at 5 & 10% (1 drop flavor to 20 PG, 2 drops to 20 PG). Maybe it was over flavored?????
Oh well, I'm going to give it a go again today BUT let my fruit flavors steep at least overnight.
Thanks

 

[Hoosier]

I read Hoosier's DIY Guide before I mixed (although I didn't let it steep). I thought I started with a low percentage at 5 & 10% (1 drop flavor to 20 PG, 2 drops to 20 PG). Maybe it was over flavored?????
Oh well, I'm going to give it a go again today BUT let my fruit flavors steep at least overnight.
Thanks

Hint, try the hot tap water in a cup thing before you let it rest overnight.

 

[Newwell]

I will give the hot tap water trick. I did read about that too. So much for this little piece of grey matter that resides between my ears.
Going to break my stuff out now & get at it.
Thanks everyone.

 

[canoeist]

Heck, I'd never vape anything if I had to wait that long!

This is me, right here

 

[Newwell]

OK, done. 4 different batches - 3 ml, 80/20 PG/VG, 18 mg nic I was only going to do 1 or 2 types, but got on a roll & kept going.
Chocolate Almonds
Peach w/hint of vanilla & Bavarian Cream - hoping for a peaches & cream flavor
Blackberry w/a touch of lemon juice & EM
Cola w/a touch of EM to sweeten

I hot water steeped them, shook them really good several times, uncapped, & now sitting in a dark, cool spot.
Figure from what everyone said I'll check them after 24 hours. It is an experience & I'm excited to see what I've come up with - vape-worthy or drain fluids. I'm trying to keep my expectations under check.
If nothing else, it was fun to do.

Has anyone tried to use Hypnotica from TFA? I bought some because I thought the name sounded like fun. From what I've read (very little found), it is kind of "citrus and grapefruit with a touch of cognac".

Blessings & I'll be vaping along now