The Really Big RY4 Roundup (long)

[Jerms]

Hey all..

Be sure to vote for your favorite juices in the ECF best of 2013 poll.. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=503973

 

[burnie71]

Very interesting thread and a very long read, however unless I missed it. Has anyone on this thread ever used the original RY4, and remember the taste to compare with those RY4s offered today?.

Merry Christmas to all.....cheers

 

[billherbst]

Has anyone on this thread ever used the original RY4, and remember the taste to compare with those RY4s offered today?

The answer to your question depends on what you mean by "the original RY4."

The original, first-ever RY4 was Janty RY4, which was created on a whim one day in 2007 in a Dekang production facility in China during a visit by Ludo, one of the owners of the Dutch ecig firm Janty. He and the Dekang flavor chemist began messing around in the lab with the idea of creating a "universal" ejuice flavor, something that nearly everyone would like. They started out with some basic flavorings---tobacco, caramel, and vanilla---and experimented with various recipe mixes and additional flavorings. The two men named the juice they came up with that day "RY" as an homage to The Ruyan Company, which had pioneered ecigs. The number "4" was added because the recipe mix and flavor profile they liked best and settled on was the fourth version they'd tried that day. Thus, RY4.

That juice was first marketed that same year (2007) as Janty RY4. Sometime in 2008, Dekang began marketing a slightly altered juice that they also called RY4, but while their version was similar, it wasn't the original formula.

Some people believe that RY4 was based on Ruyan #4, the most popular of the four initial juices marketed by The Ruyan Company at the very beginning of ecigs. Ruyan #4 was a sweetened synthetic tobacco flavor. Janty RY4 was not, however, based on Ruyan #4, nor was it intended to replicate or improve on that juice. RY4 was its own creature. The similarity of the names, however, has probably added to the confusion. I have a hunch that the altered version marketed as Dekang RY4 in 2008 was closer in flavor to Ruyan #4. I can't confirm that, but it makes a certain sense to me, given my research.

Janty revised their original RY4 numerous times over the years, tweaking the recipe for their various eliquid Series. The original Janty RY4 morphed into Janty Classic Series RY4, Janty Elixir Series RY4, and Janty Vitaya RY4, each of which were slightly different. In 2012, Janty came out with DK Series RY4, which was supposedly the same recipe formula as the original 2007 Janty RY4. (A couple of us here on the thread feel that DK Series RY4 probably isn't exactly the same as the original, but that's another story...)

Thanks to the generosity of ECF member and thread participant Kent C, I have bottles of Janty RY4 from 2008 and 2009. And, of course, anyone can buy Janty DK Series RY4 today. Awhile back, someone posted on the thread about having a large stash of 2007 Janty RY4 and offered to share samples, but I didn't get any of that.

Does that answer your question?

 

[burnie71]

The answer to your question depends on what you mean by "the original RY4."

Does that answer your question?

Many thanks for the information, yes you answered much more than expected. Up until your post RY4 was a mystery to me, other then that it was the first of the best when e-cigs came into being....again thanks.

ps..JoyeTech RY4 was my very first e-liquid, kind of liked it but have been searching for better....now I notice its up there with the best of them....time to stop searching I think, don't really know what I am looking for anyway.

 

[clnire]

burnie, if you want to try other RY4s, Bill's Big List is pretty spot on for the good, the bad and the ugly. JMHO

 

[namuch]

Can anyone provide some insight on any juices that are a dead ringer for Ikenvape RY4 Gold PG? I'm pretty sure it comes from China, so other vendors may possibly be getting the same thing (I hope)..

It's far and beyond my favorite of all RY4 variants that I've tried over the last 4 years, but it seems to always be out of stock at Ikenvape at the most inopportune times lol.

Insights? Experiences?

 

[billherbst]

Can anyone provide some insight on any juices that are a dead ringer for Ikenvape RY4 Gold PG? I'm pretty sure it comes from China, so other vendors may possibly be getting the same thing (I hope)..

It's far and beyond my favorite of all RY4 variants that I've tried over the last 4 years, but it seems to always be out of stock at Ikenvape at the most inopportune times lol.

Insights? Experiences?

namuch,

Ikenvape RY4 Gold is one of a number of RY4s (such as BWB RY4) for which no close substitute exists. Sorry.

I don't know who manufactures the juice for IKV, whether it is made in-house or out-sourced from China or elsewhere, but what I do know is that the recipe formula is proprietary. IKV RY4 Gold is not a juice that any other vendor sells under some other name.

Just your luck, eh?---to fall in love with an RY4 that can be obtained from only a single source, and that one vendor is often out of stock.

 

[Camay]

Happy Holidays! I hope this will be a prosperous New Year for everyone!

 

[Kent C]

Merry Christmas to the RY4 crowd

 

[Lombaowski]

I ordered the Butterfly's RY4 but as per usual, missed the big sales. That's ok. I'm going to try at least one of the highly rated RY4s per month, and the last two delivered nicely. The Mr Vape RY4 is probably top three for me now, that one is just outstanding. At first I didn't love it in a carto tank but only in an EVOD, but I went through two 5ml tanks of it the past week so I guess I've changed my mind about it just being ok in a carto. I've plowed through about 30mls of a 50ml bottle so far, so I'm definitely digging it.

I busted out the ITC Vapes RY4 today, I'm having a vape with it now. I agree with Bill's review in that it has a nice nutty component, and is distinctive. I do however get the vanilla from this one and think it is balanced with the creamy caramel. I do like that it is unique among the RY4s I've tried to this point, and I think it's above average as far as what I've tried. Then again, I'm only ordering stuff in the A and B group from the big list, so I'm hoping all of these are going to be above average to my taste buds. I'm even developing standards!!!

Happy holidays to all.

 

[clnire]

Mr Vape is currently, and has been for a while now, my fave. Butterfly's is a very close second. I, too, am trying to try the top flavors from the Big List, except the ones with high pg and no options for pg stump me since I do find myself sensitive to pg.

 

[thehangdude]

I am also a Mr Vapes RY4 and Butterfly's RY4 fan. With their discounts and sales, they are often under $10/30ml. At that price, I don't need to look further. My last purchase of Mr Vapes was a 120ml bottle for about $25. So now I just fill a tank of it each morning. Great flavor for about $0.35 a day. I'm saving big bucks since quiting smoking!

 

[Lombaowski]

specs: The 30ml bottle of RY4 I purchased from ITCVapes contains a light amber-colored transparent liquid at 24mg nic strength in a 10/90 PG/VG base. Nose of the liquid is ever-so-slightly buttery in scent, but not oily. Since the juice was made fresh-to-order, I let it steep after arrival for three days. Testing was done using a 3.0 ohm Ultimate CE2 clearomizer powered by a VAMO v2 set to 9.0 watts RMS.

Here’s the description from the product page of the ITCVapes site:

“A rich, sweet, creamy, buttery smooth tobacco with nutty undertones that just might magically disappear before you expect it. Handcrafted in and shipped from MD, USA in glass dropper bottles.”
​

Also, from the “About Our E-Liquid” page:

“ITCVapes juices are the result of a combined effort of two mixers and over 3 years of e-liquid research and development. We have put together a line of deliciously complex juices, many of which offer a multi-flavor experience as you vape. Our flavors could be considered gourmet as none of them are a single flavor added to nicotine. Each and every one of them has been carefully proportioned to create the perfect blend of flavor.

All of our e-liquid is mixed by ITCVapes staff in Maryland, USA. Our recipes are a combined effort of ITCVapes owner Luke Gates as well as our true flavor wizard, Jakob Tomlin from Kansas City. Jakob created our famous RY4 as well as many other excellent recipes you will find on our site.

All of our e-Liquid is made of the highest quality ingredients. ITCVapes uses pharmaceutical grade kosher USP PG & VG. All flavors used are top quality and 100% diacetyl free.”
​

Caramel is the star of ITCVapes RY4, which places it firmly in the Custom genre of RY4s. The nutty tobacco is also distinct, another feature of Custom RY4s, with the vanilla remaining in the background. I can’t actually discern the vanilla component, but that might be just me rather than the juice itself. Vanilla is obviously present, however, because this is definitely an RY4 flavor profile. The nuttiness isn’t potent or aggressive---the juice doesn't scream NUTS---but the nut element does come through, so RY4 fans who don’t like nutty RY4s might steer clear of this one. Personally, I like RY4s both without and with nuttiness, so for me it’s fine, as I imagine it will be for most vapers.

As the vendor description states, this RY4 is amply creamy, smooth, and quite buttery, all of which my particular palate associates with the caramel. It's ice cream topping liquid caramel rather than hard candy caramel to my taste buds. There may be other flavoring elements that provide those qualities, but my brain interprets them through the caramel, which is delicious, by the way. Overall, the juice is extremely rich in flavor---meaning luxurious much more than sweet. There is sweetness, of course---RY4's basic flavor profile requires some---but it’s kept within bounds. I think that was a wise choice here, as too much sweetness would put this juice over the top. As it is, the slightly more savory tone of some sweetness but creamy richness is just about perfect. Did I mention that it's creamy and buttery? LOL.

ITCVapes RY4 rises or falls on the basis of two qualities: the tobacco and the buttery caramel. If you like the particular taste and interaction of those two flavor elements, you’ll like this Custom RY4. Personally, I find the tobacco slightly idiosyncratic, and my first reaction was to wonder if it might be an “acquired taste,” but the tobacco flavor complements the creamy, buttery caramel so well that I was soon won over. ITCVapes RY4 is definitely its own creature, rather than being a middle-of-the-road RY4, but that serves to give it a unique identity.

ITCVapes RY4 grade: B+
link to purchase: RY4 from ITCVapes

This marks my third review in a row of very good RY4s---Butterfly’s RY4, MOV Gambler, and now ITCVapes RY4. All three are fine examples of the art of RY4, and vapers can be happy to add these to the many other superb retail RY4s available in the marketplace. Folks, these are good times to be a vaper, and especially good times for RY4 vapers.

I've spent all weekend with this one and I guess I have some comments/questions. First off, did you find this juice to be "like" Hangsen RY4? Not that these are the same, but I find the profile to be somewhat similar. I think both are balanced, ITC has the better aroma while Hangsen has the smoother aftertaste IMO, but they are somewhat similar.

I ordered it at 50/50 and it has the density of a juice that is 80/20 PG. I don't find caramel to be the star, but maybe I taste that more than I taste the vanilla or tobacco. I think this one is really nutty though, more than Hangsen, not as much as Tribeca. It is buttery to some degree also, something I don't love about certain RY4 and something I just couldn't take in the Ahlusion Caramel Wild Wood. It's not that buttery, but that butter flavor is present (maybe this is what you describe as the caramel being the star).

I've tried it in a 2.6ohm Smoktech carto, in an EVOD and in a Protank. I like it best in the carto (not always the case), but it plays well in all toppers thus far. Although Mr Vape RY4 cracked my top five, this one did not. I do enjoy it but ECBlend, Tribeca, Mr Vape, Heavenly Tobacco and Vapor Knoll still rule the roost. I think those five are dissimilar and unique but based on me liking those five best, what would your analysis be? I think I might like the RY4 that trend sweet, and like I have said, the ECBlend /Heavenly Tobacco 50/50 mix is my #1 vape. I do think Mr Vape might be my favorite on its own though, that stuff is amazing.

Just my two cents, hoping that contributes to the thread in some way. I still have yet to try the ECBLend Spicy RY4, I have it sitting over there and haven't cracked it yet. Maybe tomorrow after this tank of ITC is gone.

 

[billherbst]

...did you find this juice to be "like" Hangsen RY4? Not that these are the same, but I find the profile to be somewhat similar. I think both are balanced, ITC has the better aroma while Hangsen has the smoother aftertaste IMO, but they are somewhat similar. I think this one is really nutty though, more than Hangsen, not as much as Tribeca.

Lomba,

I just vaped ITC RY4 against Hangsen RY4 head-to-head-to-head (I have both the retail and DIY versions of Hangsen). Similar? I don't know. Maybe. Hangsen DIY RY4 (mine at least) is different, much smoother and more subtle than either ITC or its retail brother. I like ITC's pronounced nuttiness.

Yeah, I know, I'm supposed to be the "expert" on RY4s. The reality is that, after vaping 140 RY4s, I simply can't remember how most of them taste. Yes, I do comparison-vape often, but those comparisons are almost always "live" rather than from memory. If you've vaped only 10 or 15 RY4s so far, you're much more likely to remember how each one tastes and note their differences and similarities.

I ordered it at 50/50 and it has the density of a juice that is 80/20 PG.

My bottle of ITC RY4 is also 50/50, but it feels like 50/50 to me. Maybe they used some distilled water in yours to cut the thickness of the VG.

I don't find caramel to be the star, but maybe I taste that more than I taste the vanilla or tobacco. It is buttery to some degree also, something I don't love about certain RY4 and something I just couldn't take in the Ahlusion Caramel Wild Wood. It's not that buttery, but that butter flavor is present (maybe this is what you describe as the caramel being the star).

Yes, I associate the butteriness with the caramel rather than with the tobacco or vanilla. It's why I think of caramel as the star of the show.

ECBlend, Tribeca, Mr Vape, Heavenly Tobacco and Vapor Knoll still rule the roost. I think those five are dissimilar and unique but based on me liking those five best, what would your analysis be?

My analysis? That you like RY4s. LOL. More seriously, I appreciate your enthusiasm. As to what it means that you like the ones you do, I haven't a clue.

I still have yet to try the ECBLend Spicy RY4, I have it sitting over there and haven't cracked it yet. Maybe tomorrow after this tank of ITC is gone.

ECBlend Spicy RY4 is way out there dancing on the edge of Custom RY4 Land. I like it a lot, but it's really closer to an RY4/Chai hybrid. Since no one else on the thread except me has vaped Spicy RY4, I'll be interested to read your reaction.

 

[RPadTV]

I recently vaped around 11ml of VapersTek RY4. It's a pretty generic custom RY4 with a big emphasis on the sweet notes. The caramel and vanilla -- which are on the artificial side -- totally drown out the tobacco. In fact, I would guess that in a blind taste taste, many vapers would say that this is a total dessert vape rather than an RY4.

The juice didn't do anything for me, but it didn't displease me either. It was just kind of there -- like many Western non-NET RY4s. I do have three of the company's RY4 spin-offs, so hopefully one or more of them is better. As for this one, I'd say it's a C or C+ on Bill's scale.

 

[Camay]

Lombaowski:

I am a very big fan of ITC Vapes RY4. It is now a part of my daily rotation, along with Butterfly's RY4 and Hangsen RY4. I have 120 mls of ITC Vapes RY4 mixed at 50/50 and it does feel like 50/50 to me as well. So, I checked with ITC Vapes to see if they ever cut their base (VG) with distiller water and was informed that they do not. Just an FYI.

 

[Lombaowski]

Lomba,
I just vaped ITC RY4 against Hangsen RY4 head-to-head-to-head (I have both the retail and DIY versions of Hangsen). Similar? I don't know. Maybe. Hangsen DIY RY4 (mine at least) is different, much smoother and more subtle than either ITC or its retail brother. I like ITC's pronounced nuttiness.
Yeah, I know, I'm supposed to be the "expert" on RY4s. The reality is that, after vaping 140 RY4s, I simply can't remember how most of them taste. Yes, I do comparison-vape often, but those comparisons are almost always "live" rather than from memory. If you've vaped only 10 or 15 RY4s so far, you're much more likely to remember how each one tastes and note their differences and similarities.

Thanks for the taste test, I think I take for granted that you have experience with 140 RY4s. Just like in anything else once you get to a certain number, comparing things by memory becomes more challenging. As my RY4 experience expands, I'll probably look back and think my flavor comparison was flawed. I also consider right or wrong, the Hangsen as sort of a barometer for what a true classic RY4 should be. So I think I compare every RY4 I try to that standard, even if I am vaping custom.

ECBlend Spicy RY4 is way out there dancing on the edge of Custom RY4 Land. I like it a lot, but it's really closer to an RY4/Chai hybrid. Since no one else on the thread except me has vaped Spicy RY4, I'll be interested to read your reaction.

Ok, three hours vaping this today and I think I have a grasp on this juice. I taste the tobacco, I taste the vanilla, but unlike with the regular RY4, the caramel seems to be hidden some. Or maybe those extra flavor notes mask the caramel? I think there is a little cocoa here and maybe some Aleppo pepper and cinnamon.

It plays like an RY4 but it also has a bakery element to it with that extra flavoring. I do not like bakery flavors but the tobacco keeps the sweetness at bay so it's not overpowering, and the result is something like a cookie. Now that's ok because other RY4s that are sweet have a cookie likeness also, this just has that delicious after dinner taste that is sweet but not overly sweet.

Since ECBlend RY4 is right at the top of my favorites list, it's probably not surprising that I like this spicy version also. The base juice is there and I'm not 100 percent sure what they have added, but it definitely works nicely. I think I can find a place for this in my vaping rotation.

I'll go ahead and compare it to Hangsen now too since that is what I do...






...they are nothing alike.

 

[thehangdude]

For those who have not yet tried Mr Vapes RY4, they are having a 50% off sale. Use code vape2014. Only good through Jan 2.

Mr Vape Inc. Electronic Cigarettes
The sale puts a 30ml of RY4 at $9.48 shipped ($6.49 for bottle, $2.99 first class postage).

Time for me to order another 125ml bottle!

 

[Lombaowski]

For those who have not yet tried Mr Vapes RY4, they are having a 50% off sale. Use code vape2014. Only good through Jan 2.

Mr Vape Inc. Electronic Cigarettes
The sale puts a 30ml of RY4 at $9.48 shipped ($6.49 for bottle, $2.99 first class postage).

Time for me to order another 125ml bottle!

I put in for a 50ml bottle then realized I've plowed through 35ml of the 50ml bottle I ordered in November. So I upped my game for this terrific juice!

125ml shipped for $24, that's a pretty damn good deal

 

[billherbst]

125ml shipped for $24, that's a pretty damn good deal

Yes, for an RY4 as good as MrVape's, that's one heck of a deal. 20¢/ml is hard to beat for a superb USA-made RY4 from an American vendor. I hope lots of people who read this thread snag a bottle during the sale.

I even ordered a 15ml bottle for my own "Really Big RY4 Museum Stash," since my remaining supply of MrVape RY4 is now a year and a half old and may be getting a little long in the tooth. I was tempted to order a bigger bottle, but in reality I'll never vape nearly as much MrVape RY4 as the hangdude and Lombaowski will (not even close), so pragmatism won out over enthusiasm for a great sale.