The Really Big RY4 Roundup (long)

[billherbst]

Rpad -- I'm ordering some GJ4 based upon your review. I'm very curious about trying out a NET based RY4 and one that has a solid tobacco note that stands out. Thanks for the recommendation.

Bill -- I have a question on your experience with the Hangsen Essence RY4. My first experiment with it bombed out due to some bad Nic I received (along 400ml of other juices I made from it). Lost money on the juices and other ingredients, as well as having to dump contaminated atomizers). On top of the $$ loss, I also lost 2-3 weeks of steep time. I finally got ahold of some better Nic and mixed up some Hangsen Essence RY4. I have some high hopes for that to be my low cost juice I can vape all the time. I have about a 10 day steep on this now, the flavor has been changing over the last couple of days, but I'm finding it a bit sour/vinergar-y, and somewhat milky at the same time. tobacco is faint. I mix it at 5%, 60%VG. My question is, what mix % do you use and what do you suggest for a good steeping time for this? Any suggestion is greatly appreciated... thank you!

Cali,

The current crop of retail NET-based RY4s---GeJ GJ4, MOV VA Flake, QuickNic ouR whY qu4tro, and MVJ Rogue---are all tobacco-dominant. If that's what you're jonesing for, you're about to be very pleased.

As for the your DIY RY4 made from Hangsen Essence RY4 flavoring, sour/vinegary and milky are definite indications that something is amiss. Hangsen RY4---in both retail juice and DIY flavoring---is a bit on the sweet side with no sourness. I wonder if your 5% mixing percentage might be on the lean side, but I don't really understand why that would produce either sour/acid flavor or milkiness. I'm hesitant to suggest adding 2-3% more flavoring for fear that your current batch is somehow screwed and cannot be salvaged. I'd suggest making a new but very small bottle (3mls) using 8% flavoring (for 3mls, 8% = 5 drops) and see how that compares. You could go as high as 11-12% before over-saturating the juice. Worst case is that your particular bottle of Hangsen flavoring has gone off, but I'd have to see it and try mixing some myself before concluding that.

In general, I haven't noticed that steeping matters much with DIY juices made from a single flavoring, such as simple fruits, straight synthetic tobaccos, or compound dessert flavorings (like vanilla cupcake flavoring, to use one example among many). That's not true with Custom RY4 flavorings (such as Want2Vape RY4 or TFA RY4 Double), where the tobacco takes time to emerge. With those, steeping matters, and longer is better. With Classic RY4 flavorings, however (such as FA and Hangsen RY4 concentrates), the tobacco isn't going to "emerge" anyway, so steeping may make less difference. By contrast, I think you'll find that GJ4 changes substantially with steeping, with the tobacco becoming more and more centerstage.

Personally, I vape every juice as soon as I get it or make it. If I like it, I keep vaping it and let steeping take care of itself in the natural course of things.

 

[RPadTV]

PandaEcigs RY4 grade: B
link to purchase: PandaEcigs RY4

I ordered three 30ml bottles after you posted the sale link. I'm glad I did. I'm enjoying it as it a dessert e-liquid, but it's barely an RY4. In that respect, it reminds me of Orb Vapor's Organic RY4. I like both juices, but they're very different from custom RY4s out there.

Rpad -- I'm ordering some GJ4 based upon your review. I'm very curious about trying out a NET based RY4 and one that has a solid Tobacco note that stands out. Thanks for the recommendation.

I'd love to hear what you think after you've steeped/vaped some GJ4. I'm also quite curious about your impressions of naturally-extracted-tobacco.com. I'm very excited about that vendor, as NETs are my favorite type of juices in general.

 

[Calivapr123]

Bill -- thanks for the notes, definitely there may be something wrong with it. Although it doesn't taste bad, it just doesn't taste right. It doesn't match up to many other good RY4's I've had. I do have another bottle I made from yet a 3rd Nic provider. It's 5 days old and I haven't vaped it all. I will give it a whirl when I get home tonight.

 

[billherbst]

...naturally-extracted-tobacco.com. I'm very excited about that vendor, as NETs are my favorite type of juices in general.

Me too. I haven't ordered anything from n-e-t.com yet. I'm waiting to read some opinions.

Their extracts seem more than just a little pricey to me. Tough to compare, of course, since n-e-t's only competition in retail selling of natural tobacco extracts is MyVapeJuice. I was thrilled when Diane began selling her house-brewed NETs in extract form, and I still applaud her for taking the lead in that, but I have to admit that I've found MVJ's extracts to be a little flat and one-dimensional. I like MVJ Country Squire extract, but My Hero, Rogue, and Savage haven't held up as well for my taste buds.

I've admit to having been spoiled by Ahlusion and GEJ NET juices, and by Scarf-ace's and my own quite successful home-brewed extracts, but I hope that n-e-t's extracts will be more lively and complex. Even if reports confirm that they are wonderful, though, I may have trouble pulling the trigger at $2/ml, which elevates the cost of DIY back up into the area of retail juices. For that price, they'd better be amazing extracts!

 

[Calivapr123]

Even if reports confirm that they are wonderful, though, I may have trouble pulling the trigger at $2/ml, which elevates the cost of DIY back up into the area of retail juices. For that price, they'd better be amazing extracts!

I completely agree. It's definitely "steep" To add to that, the N-E-T extracts do require a high percent of flavorings, from 10%, all the way up to 25% even on some flavors. As luck would have it, the extract I'm most interested in as a base concoct my own RY4, the Big Spirit line, is suggested at 25%. Just a little head math here, that would put the cost of DIY in line with premium pre-made liquids, and in fact, even more pricey than pre-made NET RY4 of makers such as GeJ.

Like you said, it would have to be an amazing Tobacco vape! In the event that I do really love it, I don't mind paying up to match the price level of pre-mixed premium juice, as I do have those around for "once in a while" "non ADV" "special occasion" vapes. So my expectations will be a bit high if I do push through with buying the extract (I am trying the pre-made first).

Lastly, as a "Plan C," if its indeed "amazing" perhaps I could use the NET extract as a blend into synthetic Tobacco for DIY, to lower the cost. Just some ideas, in search of the Holy Grail, lol.

 

[billherbst]

I completely agree. It's definitely "steep" To add to that, the N-E-T extracts do require a high percent of flavorings, from 10%, all the way up to 25% even on some flavors. As luck would have it, the extract I'm most interested in as a base concoct my own RY4, the Big Spirit line, is suggested at 25%. Just a little head math here, that would put the cost of DIY in line with premium pre-made liquids, and in fact, even more pricey than pre-made NET RY4 of makers such as GeJ.

Like you said, it would have to be an amazing Tobacco vape! In the event that I do really love it, I don't mind paying up to match the price level of pre-mixed premium juice, as I do have those around for "once in a while" "non ADV" "special occasion" vapes. So my expectations will be a bit high if I do push through with buying the extract (I am trying the pre-made first).

Lastly, as a "Plan C," if its indeed "amazing" perhaps I could use the NET extract as a blend into synthetic Tobacco for DIY, to lower the cost. Just some ideas, in search of the Holy Grail, lol.

Cali,

All that you wrote above makes perfect sense to me. I too am interested in the Big Spirit extract, so I've chosen my own Plan B: I've decided to purchase a pack of American Spirits when I next go out for groceries and make my own macerated extract! If you can't join 'em, beat 'em...

I don't claim that my extract will be as good as n-e-t's Big Spirit (since I'm not buying n-e-t's, I won't know...), but at least it'll be the real deal, and I'll end up with 60mls of extract for little more than the cost of one pack of American Spirits. Plus, while home-brewing NET extracts does involve some work, it's on the same level of enjoyable discipline for me as home-roasting green coffee beans for cappuccino, which I've done once a month for the past eight years. What can I say? I'm a coffee-geek and a vaping geek!

 

[Jerms]

Apollo is offering a free 10ml bottle with a 99 cent shipping charge. Never had them before. I see their RY4 is a well-respected one in this thread, so leaning towards that, but their Sahara has me interested too. Advice?

Sent from my LGL55C using Tapatalk 2

 

[billherbst]

Apollo is offering a free 10ml bottle with a 99 cent shipping charge. Never had them before. I see their RY4 is a well-respected one in this thread, so leaning towards that, but their Sahara has me interested too. Advice?

Jerms,

Yes, their RY4 is highly-regarded around here. A good American Classic RY4 (to be both American and Classic is rare). I haven't had their Sahara, but I'm of the opinion that Apollo, which makes its own liquids, sells some pretty good juices.

 

[clnire]

I went with the RY4 from Apollo. I checked the latest rankings and my decision was made! I love to try different RY4s, seem to like "classic" better, and for $.99 I figure how can I go wrong!

 

[Jerms]

Jerms,

Yes, their RY4 is highly-regarded around here. A good American Classic RY4 (to be both American and Classic is rare). I haven't had their Sahara, but I'm of the opinion that Apollo, which makes its own liquids, sells some pretty good juices.

Thanks Bill. Yeah, I'm seeing Apollo seems like a well-liked vendor, and I see they have their own lab. I would like to try a few of their flavors if I had the funds right now, but since I can only pick one it'll probably be the RY4.

Sent from my LGL55C using Tapatalk 2

 

[billherbst]

OK, I just picked up a 10ml bottle of Apollo RY4 to pad my stash. Thanks, Jerms!

 

[thehangdude]

FREE 10ml Apollo E-Liquid

code: FREELIQ

Cost: $0.99

for those that want to try Apollo.

 

[Calivapr123]

FREE 10ml Apollo E-Liquid

code: FREELIQ

Cost: $0.99

for those that want to try Apollo.

Thanks for the links, picked one up myself

I just got an offer from GoodeJuice (makers of the NET based GJ4), 20% off, coupon code GJ20FT

 

[clnire]

grrrr, now I have to take advantage to try some GoodeJuice. Stop already!! LOL! I have the "can't help it!"s. Thanks Cali! Just the excuse I needed, a great coupon! GJ4 and Wild Turkey.

 

[Calivapr123]

(quote edited to conserve space)

Cali,

... As for the your DIY RY4 made from Hangsen Essence RY4 flavoring, sour/vinegary and milky are definite indications that something is amiss. Hangsen RY4---in both retail juice and DIY flavoring---is a bit on the sweet side with no sourness ...

Hi Bill: It looks I've gotten to the bottom of the "sour/vinegary" problem of my Hangsen RY4 mix. I created another bottle with the exact same specs last week except for the Nic, which was made from a different (my 3rd) Nic provider... After waiting a week to try it out, alas I have found problem. Not only did I have ONE case of bad Nic provider but TWO, from 2 separate providers. The HS RY4 I just made with NudeNic absolutely hits the spot, no sour taste, it's clean and finally I can taste this juice at, or very close to, its intended flavor. I just took a snapshot below:

The juice on the left marked #32 is HS RY4 @ 5% flavor, 60%VG made with NudeNicotine.com and the one on the right, marked #30 is the same except for the Nic, made by another provider, which shall remain publicly unnamed for the moment until I can learn a bit more about what is wrong here, and contact the provider.

I vaped these both at the exact same wattage, both the Tanks are new when I started. Yet, the one on the right has a very distinctive sour taste, which today I notice is becoming a bit peppery, while the juice on the left is an absolutely clean tasting, delicious RY4, with a mild caramel sweetness that was completely absent from the one on the right. I just love it, and finally now after I think 6 weeks of disappointment I've made myself an RY4 that I actually enjoy. I've been vaping this all morning, and it's the taste of victory with every vape

Figures... from what I've learned over these last several weeks in lost money and countless hours of DIY experimenting NIC is absolutely crucial.

 

[ejuiceconnoisseur]

Kudos! My hat's off to you for compiling this definitive RY4 list. Must've taken forever!

 

[billherbst]

Kudos! My hat's off to you for compiling this definitive RY4 list. Must've taken forever!

Thanks! Not quite forever: two years, two months, eight days, four hours, 43 minutes, and counting. Tick, tick, tick...

 

[shatner]

Me too. I haven't ordered anything from n-e-t.com yet. I'm waiting to read some opinions.

Their extracts seem more than just a little pricey to me. Tough to compare, of course, since n-e-t's only competition in retail selling of natural tobacco extracts is MyVapeJuice. I was thrilled when Diane began selling her house-brewed NETs in extract form, and I still applaud her for taking the lead in that, but I have to admit that I've found MVJ's extracts to be a little flat and one-dimensional. I like MVJ Country Squire extract, but My Hero, Rogue, and Savage haven't held up as well for my taste buds.

I've admit to having been spoiled by Ahlusion and GEJ NET juices, and by Scarf-ace's and my own quite successful home-brewed extracts, but I hope that n-e-t's extracts will be more lively and complex. Even if reports confirm that they are wonderful, though, I may have trouble pulling the trigger at $2/ml, which elevates the cost of DIY back up into the area of retail juices. For that price, they'd better be amazing extracts!

I think you'll like the complexity of NETCOM. I haven't bought the extract, but the juice at 'regular' strength on the extract.

 

[billherbst]

specs: The 5ml sample bottle of Wild Bill that I purchased from DarkCityVapor contains an orange-gold colored transparent liquid at 24mg nic strength in a 50/50 PG/VG base. Nose of the liquid is very mild and pleasant. Testing was done by dripping into a 1.8 ohm Joye LR510 atty powered by a VAMO set to 7.5 watts.

Here’s the description of Wild Bill from the product page of the DarkCityVapor web site:

“Wild Bill is our version of a ry4 type vape... Very smooth vape!”​

Whenever I read a phrase such as “our version of an RY4,” my immediate reaction is, “Ah, a Custom RY4.” And with Wild Bill, that is certainly the case. This is nothing like a Classic RY4---which is not a criticism, just a statement of fact to keep expectations in line with reality.

The criteria for Custom RY4s lean toward the “anything goes” end of the scale. How far exactly is a judgment call. Wild Bill leans pretty far. I’ll grant it RY4 status here on our thread, but it’s a close call. Not that Wild Bill is bad. No, it’s a pleasant, easy-going juice, and a nice vape. It just lives very near the boundary between RY4 Land and Somewhere Else. Right on the boundary, actually.

The flavor profile is different and, well, unique. There’s a mild synthetic tobacco wrapped in another flavor I can’t quite place. It’s caramelly, but not caramel. It’s buttery, like butterscotch, but not quite an obvious butterscotch. It’s closer to butterscotch than caramel, though. Vanilla may be an ingredient that contributes to the mystery flavor, but it vanishes into that unidentifiable otherness. That’s really all I taste---synthetic tobacco and something kind of butterscotchy. Although the throat hit at 24mg is plentiful, the end result is a very smooth vape. Not too sweet, but extremely easy on the taste buds. If you like Wild Bill, you'll probably want to vape a lot of it, since it's all-day-vape smooth. If you don't like it, you'll put it down and walk away quickly. Whether or not you like Wild Bill will depend on how you feel about the sort-of-but-not-quite butterscotch mystery flavor.

If you love the Holy Trinity (tobacco, caramel, and vanilla) and like your Custom RY4s to provide each of those flavors clearly, then Wild Bill most assuredly isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you’re not particularly fond of the Classic RY4 flavor profile but haven’t been thrilled by any of the Custom RY4s you’ve tried, then Wild Bill might be just the ticket.

I’d give Wild Bill a grade of B as a straight synthetic tobacco blend, but---since it’s almost not an RY4---I have to dock it a little for our purposes here, so I’ll take it down to a C+. It may deserve better, since it’s a nice juice, but it can’t outshine other, truer RY4s on The Big List.

Link to purchase: Wild Bill from DarkCityVapor

 

[Calivapr123]

REVIEW: Kustom Joose "Are Why For"

Available in many SoCal B&M Stores
Cost: $12 per 15ml bottle (no other bottle size available)

Kustom is a local brand here in SoCal and is distributed by local shops. As far as I know, they barely have an internet presence outside of a FB page and it's not possible to order online (afaik!).

I tried it through a local B&M Store (South County Vapors). I didn't expect that I would like it. Often I would try out a juice at a B&M store, like it, buy it, own it and then after some time I realize I don't like as much as I did when I tried it at the store.

Kustom RY4 (or "Are Why For") was a little different, as I found myself reaching for this juice often. I've purchased and vaped 2 bottles (currently only offered at 15ml) each. It's no ADV for me, but I want to have it around.

TASTE: By the definition on this thread this is a custom, non-traditional RY4. When you first crack open the bottle, it is almost like a desert type of flavor, with Bready (more like WAFFLE) taste and very sweet. I get Brown Sugar and Maple, and somewhere in there lost in the "deserty-ness" of this juice is the tobacco. A fresh bottle was quite different from the juice I tried at the store. I know for sure that the juice in the store comes from a single bottle that may have been opened weeks ago, loaded into a 6ml Carto-Tank that lasts about a week before its refilled. Hence, the flavor of the Tobacco out of well-steeped juice is very different from the flavor of freshly opened bottle.

Like most of us, the creator of the juice is a former smoker. But unlike most of us, he also enjoyed Pipe Tobaccos, Cigars etc. Thus, what makes this RY4 special is that somehow this enthusiasm for non-cigarette tobaccos has made its way into his juices and thus, after some good time steeping, you will taste a delightful, and solid tobacco blend, coated with the sweeteners, which, after steeping, retreat to the sidelines.

I find that to properly enjoy the delicious tobacco blends contained in this juice, it must be steeped by at least a couple of weeks. This juice is for those people that enjoy a good solid tobacco flavor with a good dose of deserty sweetness as well.

VARIATIONS:

This is one of those vendors that only has a few juices in its lineup:

"For Why Are" - this tastes much like the RY4, but just lessen the presence of the tobacco. It is still there, but it's light.

"Nanner Bacco" - a delicious tobacco vape, I also detect those tobacco blends, but with a Banana Nut flavoring that I find is just right - not too much, not too little. Delicious.

"Watchamacallit" - a wrong RY4 experiment gone right, as explained by the creator. I find this somewhat nutty/cocoa and much like the other Kustom juices, sweet. Very enjoyable.

All juices are mixed with 60% VG. Kustom Joose is basically a crossroads between Cigarettes, Pipe Tobacco and Deserty sweetness. Due to tobacco content and the sweetness, steeping therefore is important to bring the Tobacco flavors out.

DOWNSIDES: Apart from the necessity of proper steeping, there is also the cost: $12 per 15ml bottle puts it at the top tier of juice costs. I heard that 30ml bottles will be available, but I have not seen them.

For me, it's very good juice to have and own for the RY4 lover and great for variation. These juices have a lot of thought and effort put into them, and I do give it a high recommendation as a "special moment" juice. But due to cost and also some sweetness I can only enjoy a few times a day, it's not an ADV for me.