specs: The 10ml bottles of RY4 and Tribeca flavoring concentrates I purchased from FlavorEnvy contain clear, transparent liquids whose ingredients are listed as natural/artificial flavorings and PG. I mixed each into DIY liquid using 10% flavoring at 12mg nic in an overall blend of 60/30/10 (60% PG, 30% VG, 10% distilledwater, the so-called German eliquid base). I then quick-steeped each liquid in a hot water bath. Testing was done by dripping into a 1.5 ohm Joyetech 510LR atomizer powered by a Vision Spinner clone battery set to 4.1 volts (for 11 watts).
As with eliquid reviews in general and, in particular, reviews of home-made juices using DIY flavorings, assessment is difficult because of the many variables---percentage of flavoring used, base blend, nic content, age (fresh, quick-steeped, or slow-steeped, and how long?)---that can and often do affect the overall vaping experience of the DIY liquid. Add to this the widely divergent range of individual flavor preferences, which is sometimes almost mind-boggling, and one must take all reviews with a grain of salt. Your reaction might parallel mine, or it might differ---a little, substantially, or even wildly.
Im not worried about the base blend or nic content with these, but the flavoring percentage and steeping are definite concerns. I dont have 10 different samples of each DIY juice using different percentages of flavoring at many ages of maturity, so Ill go with what I have---quick-steeped liquids made with 10% flavoring. Keep in mind, however, that more or less flavoring and longer steeping could change the juices (and my opinions about them) for better or worse.
FlavorEnvy RY4 (DIY):
FE RY4 has the Classic RY4 quality of presenting a unified single flavor in the vape experience. I cant pick out the tobacco, caramel, or vanilla as individual flavors, but the combination is recognizable as an RY4. On the other hand, this juice doesnt have the brightness of a Classic RY4. It
feels like a Custom, so that's what I'll call it, a Custom RY4. There seems to be a substantial pine note, along with a bread-like taste that my brain wants to call Acetyl Pyrazine. It may not be AP, but, whatever it is, the effect is similar. I suppose it could be a nutty element, but that's not how my brain sees it. In any case, I find the bread-like element distracting, and I wish it weren't present.
As I'm sure you can tell, Im not in love with this flavoring. As an RY4, its average at best. Once Im done with this review, I doubt that Ill vape it again, except to see if steeping time alters it for the better.
FlavorEnvy Tribeca (DIY):
Im slightly surprised that FlavorEnvy Tribeca does bear some resemblance to Halos retail Tribeca. Sort of. No, it doesnt
replicate Halo Tribeca, but it does lean in a similar direction, enough so that I dont mind that FlavorEnvy named it Tribeca. (I thought I might obect to that.) If I want Tribeca, however, Ill always reach for Halo Tribeca, not this.
Like FlavorEnvy RY4, Tribeca has a bread-like element in the flavor profile. I dont find it as strong or as distracting in Tribeca as I did in FE RY4, however.
OK, how good is this juice as an RY4? Let me put it this way: I like FE Tribeca much better than FE RY4. I could see myself vaping this DIY juice, although it wont challenge any of the top-rated DIY RY4 flavorings on The Big List. Still, having so many superb RY4s from which to choose, I doubt that I'll be vaping FE Tribeca much if at all.
[Note: I also sampled both of these DIY juices at 15% flavoring. While the taste of each juice was intensified, the overall character and flavor profile of each remained the same. I feel that less is probably better in this instance, so Ill stick with a 10% recommendation. As always, YMMV.]
FlavorEnvy RY4 flavoring concentrate grade:
C-
link to purchase:
RY4 flavoring from FlavorEnvy
FlavorEnvy Tribeca flavoring concentrate grade:
B-
link to purchase:
Tribeca flavoring from FlavorEnvy
After a couple of months, Ill revisit each of the sample bottles I made up and reviewed here to see if long-term steeping produces any effects. If so, Ill amend these reviews accordingly.
