The Really Big RY4 Roundup (long)

[Randy C]

That's it! I just gotta get some red wine!!!

And, Hi Bill! It always a pleasure talking RY4 with you!

I seriously doubt HB RY4 is strictly a NET. I have no reason not to believe Brian; maybe some portion of it is NET (maybe just a simple soak?), but there is something more going on with it... At times, I've almost detected a slight amount of TA in other HB tobacco offerings; particularly Perique. I've not had lots of experience with M Type tobacco, so maybe this is what I picking up on.

Anyway... Mann, Jerms, & Bill- It's great getting all of your thoughts on this. This liquid has stumped me for some time.

 

[Jerms]

I did my usual atty-drip test and was very impressed. Wow. HY4 turns out to be a rarity---an American-made RY4 with a Classic profile, which are about as common as hen’s teeth. (Almost all American-made RY4s are Custom.) On top of that, HY4 is a really great Classic RY4 to boot! Totally delicious. As I got ready to write the review, however, I ran up against two problems.

(Quote is a section to a much larger post about Heartland Vapes)

Just received a nice size bottle of this HeartlandVapes HV4 from a generous ECF member. Searched this thread to see what's been mentioned and see it's "classic" style. Sweet! The only two RY4 I currently have on hand (that I'm willing to vape) is BWB and Janty 2009-2010 edition with the pine seed flavor. Both are great vapes, but both have a unique flavor that is kind of mood dependant for me. Needed a nice no-nonsense RY4 for anytime vaping on hand and hope this fits the bill. Will load er up later today.

 

[Jerms]

Needed a nice no-nonsense RY4 for anytime vaping on hand and hope this fits the bill.

Yep, it does. Familiar tasting; neutral tobacco sweetened with tasty caramel and vanilla. Tastes like... RY4. I can happily roll with this.

 

[RPadTV]

I recently reviewed three Majestic Vapors "Geek Line" juices, including the company's RY4 -- Fant4stic Four. In addition to tobacco, caramel, and vanilla, there's some chocolate there too. It's not as heavy as the chocolate in the Black Cloud Vapor RY4s I reviewed, but it's still enough that it might be unenjoyable to those looking for a traditional Western RY4. As a dessert vape, it's pretty good. Full review and steeping notes here.

 

[Randy C]

Yep, it does. Familiar tasting; neutral tobacco sweetened with tasty caramel and vanilla. Tastes like... RY4. I can happily roll with this.

I just checked out their site. $28 for 250ml's? How could you go wrong- especially if it's pretty good! I'll have to order a "jug" to sample. Now...I just wish they offered DK-Tab. I see they have Tab flavor; I wonder if they would do a request???

 

[KC33]

Hi all, any input on Renegade by NiteLite? I know it's not a "traditional" RY4 however a friend told me their juices are good quality but he hasn't smoked this one. TIY

 

[billherbst]

Hi all, any input on Renegade by NiteLite? I know it's not a "traditional" RY4 however a friend told me their juices are good quality but he hasn't smoked this one. TIY

NiteLiteVapor Renegade RY4 - post #1

 

[KC33]

TY, there's been quite a change in this juice.

One of the most sought after v-Liquids on our menu. Renegade was originally categorized as a RY-4 variant. Meaning that it had similarities to the famously acclaimed RY-4 (short for Ruyan #4) which was a very popular v-Liquid mixture of four basic flavors: a tobacco base, a meek nutty flavor, caramel, and vanilla. But unlike Ruyan #4, Renegade also integrates a combination of mixed spices which grants this e-liquid an identity of it's own. It is now no longer considered a RY-4 "variant" by NLV, primarily because it does not incorporate any nutty flavor and the caramel and vanilla flavors are very mild. A lot of our NLV veteran customers have given us the thumbs up for letting Renegade be Renegade, severing it's ties to the RY-4 family. And by definition, that is what a renegade is... one who rejects conventional behavior.

I was interested in hearing some impressions on the updated blend. TYI

 

[billherbst]

I have both the first and second versions of Renegade. The label on the first-version bottle says "Renegade RY4." The label on the second-version bottle says just "Renegade." I can't tell from the quoted section if NLV has again reformulated Renegade for a new and different third version or simply redefined how they categorize the recipe.

Doesn't matter, though: If NLV no longer considers Renegade a Custom RY4, that's good enough for me. On the next update of The Big RY4 List in late November, NLV Renegade will be moved to the "Discontinued or No Longer Available" group.

 

[Mr.Mann]

I have both the first and second versions of Renegade. The label on the first-version bottle says "Renegade RY4." The label on the second-version bottle says just "Renegade." I can't tell from the quoted section if NLV has again reformulated Renegade for a new and different third version or simply redefined how they categorize the recipe.

Doesn't matter, though: If NLV no longer considers Renegade a Custom RY4, that's good enough for me. On the next update of The Big RY4 List in late November, NLV Renegade will be moved to the "Discontinued or No Longer Available" group.

I am in the camp that believes NLV sells two worthwhile liquids: Bounty hunter and Gold. I frankly don't "get" the other ones and to be honest, Gold and BH barely taste like they belong in that line. Harbor Nite is decent, but I think the rest of their "tobacco" line is average. From what I remember, I thought Renegade tasted more like a 555 than an RY4. I have not tried Tappulles, but after several disappointing purchases, I can't say that I am game for another.

One thing those liquids have that I love is a spectacular TH. All of NLV liquids I've tried have a wallop of a thump!

p.s. I don't think it's been reformulated, just that they no longer categorize it as an RY4. Dropping the RY4 category for Renegade is something well overdue.

 

[Lombaowski]

This might be a dumb question, but I'll go ahead and ask it anyway.

I ordered some Hangsen RY4 from MadVapes and it came in a Top Vapor bottle. Am I to assume that they re-bottle the original Hangsen juice that they get in much larger containers from the source?

I tried some in my Nimbus Clone last night, pretty good straight out of the mail. Gonna let this one sit for a bit to see what I have but my first impression was a good one.

 

[billherbst]

I am in the camp that believes NLV sells two worthwhile liquids: Bounty hunter and Gold. I frankly don't "get" the other ones and to be honest, Gold and BH barely taste like they belong in that line. Harbor Nite is decent, but I think the rest of their "tobacco" line is average. From what I remember, I thought Renegade tasted more like a 555 than an RY4.

I don't think it's been reformulated, just that they no longer categorize it as an RY4. Dropping the RY4 category for Renegade is something well overdue.

Bounty Hunter and Gold are the two juices that earned NLV its "time in the sun" back in 2011, when it was one of the hottest juice vendors around, accompanied by the whole nine yards of fan frenzy, Gene's canonization into sainthood (by some), the inevitable supply problems and inability to keep BH and Gold in stock, then the credit card meltdown and whatever other melodramas ensued to knock NLV off its pedestal. I take it that NLV juices are now farmed out and sold only by certain other vendors.

How interesting that you think Renegade tastes more like a 555 than an RY4. I just vaped a little of my two-year-old Renegade v2, and it's RY4-ish to my palate. Definitely Custom, but in the ballpark. Then I got out my now-ancient bottles of Dekang 555 and BWB 555 and atty-dripped a bit of each. Renegade doesn't strike me as close to either of those.

It's the nuts, right? The quoted section of KC33's second post states that RY4 is a "v-Liquid [where did that term come from?] mixture of four basic flavors: a tobacco base, a meek nutty flavor, caramel, and vanilla." Oh yeah? "A meek nutty flavor???" Since when is RY4 required to have nuts? Nuts are optional. Classic RY4s have no nut element. None. Nada. Niente. Some (and I emphasize some) Custom RY4s do, but not all---not even most. Renegade does, so that may be why you associate it with a 555.

Anyway, NLV Renegade is now relegated to history on this thread. If Renegade's parents don't want it to live in RY4 Land, that's fine. It's now officially deported.

 

[KC33]

Darn, I just left a B&M, asked them what kind of house juice they use, he shows me a Hangsen certificate and I forget to buy the RY4.

 

[billherbst]

Darn, I just left a B&M, asked them what kind of house juice they use, he shows me a Hangsen certificate and I forget to buy the RY4.

Oh well, there's always FastTech. Yeah, I know---mail from Hong Kong means a two-week wait, but 30mls is only $4.22 shipped.

Link: Hangsen RY4 from FastTech

 

[KC33]

Oh well, there's always FastTech. Yeah, I know---mail from Hong Kong means a two-week wait, but 30mls is only $4.22 shipped.

Link: Hangsen RY4 from FastTech

That was easy and I don't mind waiting, I have plenty of juice now.

 

[Kent C]

...HY4 reminds me very much of another Classic RY4 I’ve had. Unfortunately, I can’t remember which RY4 that was.

Got a sample of the Heartland HY4 as well - thank you CB.... First blush was as Bill says above.... a familiar taste but not able to nail down where. Lacking the vast 'database' of Bill, my categorization is more simplistic. For me, the classic Ruyan #4 (heaven gifts, health cabin, eastmall - the three main chinese outlets at the time - all dekang and all tasted very close if not identical) was always more caramel cream - sweeter - than the classic Janty where the 'mystery' flavor was more dominant in the RY4 line. Their RY3 line was closer to the Ruyan #4.

It's the mystery flavor that some vendors/manufacturers attempted to duplicate and imo, this is along those lines, although they miss on the janty pine cone musk..... For me, total subjective.... with HY4 there is a 'curry' note which sometimes tastes a bit like slightly sweet celery, that sits in for the not-so-sweet 'mystery note' and then the caramel/cream... it is familiar and several RY4's that didn't quite make it to the other 'classics' had these features. Some vendors gave up and just went with the tobacco (in some form) and the caramel/cream - nhaler for one - which was pretty good along those lines, and a smoother texture than most. Not sure if it's the same formulation now.

I'd rate this a C+ on taste and a B along classic lines of attempting to balance the sweetness of the caramel cream with the tobacco along with an extra mystery note. That mystery note for 'RY4' showed up in various forms - some berries? some ginger, nutmeg, chinese 5 star spice... just something different than the vanilla, coconut, almond, chocolate, cherry, that were the signature flavors of Kent, Marlboro, Flu Cured, Hilton/Camel, Virginia and other tobacco flavors. Most were TA plus one. RY4 was TA plus 3 or 4

 

[Mr.Mann]

Bounty Hunter and Gold are the two juices that earned NLV its "time in the sun" back in 2011, when it was one of the hottest juice vendors around, accompanied by the whole nine yards of fan frenzy, Gene's canonization into sainthood (by some), the inevitable supply problems and inability to keep BH and Gold in stock, then the credit card meltdown and whatever other melodramas ensued to knock NLV off its pedestal. I take it that NLV juices are now farmed out and sold only by certain other vendors.

How interesting that you think Renegade tastes more like a 555 than an RY4. I just vaped a little of my two-year-old Renegade v2, and it's RY4-ish to my palate. Definitely Custom, but in the ballpark. Then I got out my now-ancient bottles of Dekang 555 and BWB 555 and atty-dripped a bit of each. Renegade doesn't strike me as close to either of those.

It's the nuts, right? The quoted section of KC33's second post states that RY4 is a "v-Liquid [where did that term come from?] mixture of four basic flavors: a tobacco base, a meek nutty flavor, caramel, and vanilla." Oh yeah? "A meek nutty flavor???" Since when is RY4 required to have nuts? Nuts are optional. Classic RY4s have no nut element. None. Nada. Niente. Some (and I emphasize some) Custom RY4s do, but not all---not even most. Renegade does, so that may be why you associate it with a 555.

Anyway, NLV Renegade is now relegated to history on this thread. If Renegade's parents don't want it to live in RY4 Land, that's fine. It's now officially deported.

I love having genuine laughter--not just "LOL"--while reading on the forum. Bill, thank you for making me laugh. You can be so funny.

Yeah, I think back then (early last year), any "nut" flavor accompanied by "tobacco"--no matter the other add-ons--struck me as 555. Now, knowing a bit more and having many more eliquids under my belt to compare, I might not think so, but I doubt I will ever revisit it to see.

 

[billherbst]

This might be a dumb question, but I'll go ahead and ask it anyway. I ordered some Hangsen RY4 from MadVapes and it came in a Top Vapor bottle. Am I to assume that they re-bottle the original Hangsen juice that they get in much larger containers from the source?

Not dumb at all. A couple years back, there was some discussion on ECF about Madvapes getting some of their Chinese juices in bulk form and re-bottling them. Their Hangsen liquids and some Dekangs were supposedly among those that were "further processed" and didn't always taste the same to some customers as bottles straight from the manufacturer---you know, somewhat like the difference between Coke/Pepsi in bottles and the stuff made from concentrate and carbonated water that was sold at drug store counters or cafeterias. There was even more than that---something about Madvapes getting their bulk liquids from an odd source---but I don't remember if that was confirmed or debunked.

I don't know what you got, but---to me---Hangsen liquids should come in Hangsen bottles with Hangsen labels. Anything else would make me very suspicious.

 

[Lombaowski]

Not dumb at all. A couple years back, there was some discussion on ECF about Madvapes getting some of their Chinese juices in bulk form and re-bottling them. Their Hangsen liquids and some Dekangs were supposedly among those that were "further processed" and didn't always taste the same to some customers as bottles straight from the manufacturer---you know, somewhat like the difference between Coke/Pepsi in bottles and the stuff made from concentrate and carbonated water that was sold at drug store counters or cafeterias. There was even more than that---something about Madvapes getting their bulk liquids from an odd source---but I don't remember if that was confirmed or debunked.

I don't know what you got, but---to me---Hangsen liquids should come in Hangsen bottles with Hangsen labels. Anything else would make me very suspicious.

I did some digging at MadVapes and found this:

Why does MadVapes offer custom China e-liquids? We offer many sizes and nicotine levels of our e-liquids and if we were to stock each size and nic level we would have to have thousands of bottles in stock. In order to provide you with a product that has a competitive price we’ve decided to buy China e-liquids in bulk, custom bottle it and add your desired nicotine level per order. This enables us to offer every size and nicotine level, as we do in our Top Vapor e-liquids, without having to stock large quantities of every variation of China e-liquids. This helps us pass the savings on to you. We do not alter the China e-liquids in any way other than bottling and adding nicotine.

We have many people ask us why our custom China e-liquids are clear. The answer is quite simple, the color or “tanning” relates to the timeframe that the e-liquids has nicotine in them.

In a previous newsletter, we wrote about e-liquids. In that article we touched on “tanning”. Tanning is the process of an e-liquid changing color due to the reaction of light and air affecting it. This happens after the nicotine has been added of course because that is what is reacting to the light and air. Other factors such as storage temperature and age also affect the e-liquid once the nicotine is added.

Because China e-liquids are made and then possibly stored before being shipped, they have a longer time span to age before being distributed here in the US and more tanning may occur. Please keep an eye on our custom China e-liquid section as we continue to expand and add new flavors

Seems like MadVapes has a pretty decent reputation, so I'll just assume the juice is legit. I am going to make a Fasttech order soon, so I'll try some Hangsen RY4 from them also and compare. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Randy C]

I don't know what you got, but---to me---Hangsen liquids should come in Hangsen bottles with Hangsen labels. Anything else would make me very suspicious.

Unless it's in a "totally wicked" looking bottle