The Really Big RY4 Roundup (long)

[billherbst]

Well friends, since we seem to have no agreement at all about what Jane's ECSI Toasted Toffee tastes like, I'll make it easy on all of us and remove Toasted Toffee from the list.

This little tempest-in-a-teapot has caused me to consider that it may be time to get rid of the rankings entirely, even though I intended to continue until we reached 100 RY4s. Numerical rankings are too subjective, too arbitrary, too provocative, and generally way too much of a pain in my you-know-what. Perhaps now is the perfect opportunity to stop.

After my next review, I'll run it up the flagpole and see who salutes (so to speak). Rather than rankings, I'll post The Big List in alphabetical order, using links to each vendor, as well as the post numbers of every RY4's original review. A second section will be for RY4s not yet reviewed, with a short tag at the end for the three RY4s that are no longer available. The Category Groups will continue unchanged, of course. I'm considering subdividing The Big List into Classic and Custom RY4s, but that might be a whole new hornet's nest, so for now I'll hold off trying it that way and just lump all the reviewed RY4s together.

Having a section for RY4s not reviewed could result in the list growing very rapidly, but that might be OK. I don't know. Like everything else on the thread, we'll play it by ear and make up the rules as we go along.

 

[sandybeach]

Now I wonder why you have Nite Lite Vapor's Renegade on the list, but not their Line Rider. They are quite similar to me.

 

[STILLSMOK9]

Well friends, since we seem to have no agreement at all about what Jane's ECSI Toasted Toffee tastes like, I'll make it easy on all of us and remove Toasted Toffee from the list.

This little tempest-in-a-teapot has caused me to consider that it may be time to get rid of the rankings entirely, even though I intended to continue until we reached 100 RY4s. Numerical rankings are too subjective, too arbitrary, too provocative, and generally way too much of a pain in my you-know-what. Perhaps now is the perfect opportunity to stop.

After my next review, I'll run it up the flagpole and see who salutes (so to speak). Rather than rankings, I'll post The Big List in alphabetical order, using links to each vendor, as well as the post numbers of every RY4's original review. A second section will be for RY4s not yet reviewed, with a short tag at the end for the three RY4s that are no longer available. The Category Groups will continue unchanged, of course. I'm considering subdividing The Big List into Classic and Custom RY4s, but that might be a whole new hornet's nest, so for now I'll hold off trying it that way and just lump all the reviewed RY4s together.

Having a section for RY4s not reviewed could result in the list growing very rapidly, but that might be OK. I don't know. Like everything else on the thread, we'll play it by ear and make up the rules as we go along.

Bill,

Mint is one flavor that is kinda hard to confuse for something else, you know? I honestly think I got the wrong juice!

I have sent Jane an email asking her if this could be possible....

 

[billherbst]

Now I wonder why you have Nite Lite Vapor's Renegade on the list, but not their Line Rider. They are quite similar to me.

Sandy,

As you know, NLV Renegade's actual name is Renegade RY4. That's why it's on the list. Line Rider is NLV's take on 555. A number of NLV's juices have a certain "signature" similarity, as far as I'm concerned (which is often the case among custom vendors---many juices from Halo, KBV, and BWB share "family" similarities). Perhaps Renegade and 555 use the same tobacco base...

 

[billherbst]

Okay, I ordered some Jane's Toasted Toffee and got it in the mail today. This is not what I was expecting! It has a nutty smell, but it has a minty taste to it! I cannot do mint or menthol.... Has anyone else that has tried this juice noticed mint or menthol in their Toasted Toffee?

I'm not entirely sure, but I might taste what you're referring to in Toasted Toffee. Rather than identifying it as mint or menthol, however, my brain associates it with the characteristic "brightness" of many classic (and usually Chinese) RY4s, some of which are almost efforvescent and sparkly. Maybe that's why I thought of Toasted Toffee as sort of like an RY4.

 

[Jim Bob]

For what It IS worth, "I" have appreciated your time and commitment to this thread, I feel ONLY YOU should decide how you want to do things . Three is NO way any 10 folks are going to agree on tastes, flavors, weather, politics , even colors from what I've seen in my lifetime. Thank you for this thread!

 

[Glam]

Bill: I do not, and have never, vaped any RY4 juice; and I am not even interested in them. But I come here and read this thread periodically because I do love the way you write. You write intelligently, thoughtfully, and concisely. You definitely have mastered the English language, making your posts a joy to read. I wish I had your ability, but I will remain satisfied knowing I can come here and read some really enjoyable, informative posts.

Thank you.

 

[STILLSMOK9]

I'm not entirely sure, but I might taste what you're referring to in Toasted Toffee. Rather than identifying it as mint or menthol, however, my brain associates it with the characteristic "brightness" of many classic (and usually Chinese) RY4s, some of which are almost efforvescent and sparkly. Maybe that's why I thought of Toasted Toffee as sort of like an RY4.

Bill,

Jane says it's a hint of clove....

 

[billherbst]

For what It IS worth, "I" have appreciated your time and commitment to this thread, I feel ONLY YOU should decide how you want to do things . Three is NO way any 10 folks are going to agree on tastes, flavors, weather, politics , even colors from what I've seen in my lifetime. Thank you for this thread!

Jim Bob,

There's definitely something to be said for the point you make. Committee-based decision-making works well on occasion, but often fails, and sometimes fails miserably. Dictatorships are much more efficient and coherent than democracies.

I confess to feeling divided about my role as the "owner," CEO, and custodian (i.e., janitor) of the Big RY4 Roundup thread. The 'good' parts (a little recognition, some respect, and a bit of power) are pretty cool. The 'bad' parts (too much time, effort, and responsibility; my inevitable mistakes; the ridiculous myth of authority; and my foolish disappointment that not everyone likes what I do) are not so hot.

Every time someone disagrees with, challenges me, or questions my judgment on this thread, a little part of my psyche rises up on its hind legs and shouts (inside me), "Off with their heads!" I try to keep that part in its cage, however, because I want to encourage participation in the thread and a good time for everyone.

For what it's worth, I do actually claim ultimate control over the decisions I make here on the thread.

 

[billherbst]

Bill: I do not, and have never, vaped any RY4 juice; and I am not even interested in them. But I come here and read this thread periodically because I do love the way you write. You write intelligently, thoughtfully, and concisely. You definitely have mastered the English language, making your posts a joy to read. I wish I had your ability, but I will remain satisfied knowing I can come here and read some really enjoyable, informative posts. Thank you.

gramva,

Thank you so much. You just made my day.

 

[zogu]

Bill, please continue with your list. We are all aware that taste is subjective, but there is very small number of members who tried so many ry juices and everyone who tried some of juices on your list will know what to buy next time. For me your list is a perfect guide. Many thanks for it and for all your effort.

 

[billherbst]

Bill, please continue with your list. We are all aware that taste is subjective, but there is very small number of members who tried so many ry juices and everyone who tried some of juices on your list will know what to buy next time. For me your list is a perfect guide. Many thanks for it and for all your effort.

zogu,

Thank you.

The list will continue. I will also continue to review RY4s and let people if I like them or not. The only change will be removal of the overall numerical rankings. To formally rank any juice as #1 (implying that it's better than every other RY4 on the list), while others are ranked at #25 or #47 or #62 is entirely subjective and has become too arbitrary.

I will, however, probably include at the bottom of the list my own personal current Top 10 favorite RY4s.

 

[AmandaMarie]

zogu,

Thank you.

The list will continue. I will also continue to review RY4s and let people if I like them or not. The only change will be removal of the overall numerical rankings. To formally rank any juice as #1 (implying that it's better than every other RY4 on the list), while others are ranked at #25 or #47 or #62 is entirely subjective and has become too arbitrary.

I will, however, probably include at the bottom of the list my own personal current Top 10 favorite RY4s.

I like your idea of your current top ten being listed Thank you so much for all of your time in compiling the roundup!! Love this thread!keep 'em coming

 

[MegaBee]

I love smokeless Image's RY4, if its already been mentioned my apologies I must have missed the post... its the one I cant be without

 

[lostknitter]

I also enjoy your list, and it has prompted me to try a few that I wouldn't have tried or wouldn't have heard of with out the list and I thank you for that. How you keep the list is entirely up to you, but you should know that it is very helpful to a lot of people, I see it mentioned or referred to all over ECF, and in a good way!

 

[The Rebel]

The list will continue.

Excellent and thanks Bill. I love this thread and have used the information it contains to save a ton of time selecting RY4s to try. Not to mention the money I've saved by avoiding the pitfalls as well. When you do change the list I wouldn't mind seeing an asterisk that denotes the juices that use "natuarl tobacco extracts" instead of lab created flavoring. I think that is good information to have when shopping for a new RY4. But it is your thread and as long as it continues, then I am happy. Thanks again!

 

[billherbst]

I love smokeless Image's RY4, if its already been mentioned my apologies I must have missed the post... its the one I cant be without

MegaBee,

As far as I can tell, Smokeless Image Volt RY4 and Bloog RY4 are the same---I mean, literally the same made-in-China classic RY4, just with a different label. And even if that's not technically true, it might as well be, because they're so close in every way (color, flavor, vapor production, throat hit, etc.) that I can't tell them apart.

In the current rankings list, I have them together as Bloog/Volt RY4 at #12. On the new upcoming list without rankings but with vendor links, they'll be separated and listed individually.

 

[billherbst]

When you do change the list I wouldn't mind seeing an asterisk that denotes the juices that use "natuarl tobacco extracts" instead of lab created flavoring. I think that is good information to have when shopping for a new RY4. But it is your thread and as long as it continues, then I am happy. Thanks again!

Rebel,

That's a great idea! Rather than an asterisk, though, I'll add Made with Natural Tobacco Extracts as another Category Group. That way, they'll still be sprinkled throughout the Big List with their vendor links, but also all together as a Group.

 

[billherbst]

I also enjoy your list, and it has prompted me to try a few that I wouldn't have tried or wouldn't have heard of with out the list and I thank you for that. How you keep the list is entirely up to you, but you should know that it is very helpful to a lot of people, I see it mentioned or referred to all over ECF, and in a good way!

lostknitter,

Thanks! When I started the Big RY4 Roundup thread, I assumed it would be a one-shot post that would get buried in the archives very quickly. Probably just as well that I didn't know what it would become, given the time spent and effort expended. I'm pleased that it's evolved into a worthwhile resource for many on ECF.

My "real" job (how I pay the rent) involves writing about the serious and daunting crises now bearing down on humanity that are almost certain to change civilization dramatically in the years ahead. This thread balances out that seriousness---it's my "fun" job. LOL.

 

[passerbyeus]

Bill your list is great!!! thanks for all your reviews and time, money you have given to share with us all....