The Really Big RY4 Roundup (long)

[billherbst]

Where do you get the Janty RY4 elixir? Didn't see the post for that.

washvap,

Janty electronic cigarettes, e-liquids and carts - Elixir PG eLiquid RY4 15ml
Janty electronic cigarettes, e-liquids and carts - Elixir VG eLiquid RY4 15ml

 

[billherbst]

The 18ml bottle of Raf-a-licious from alien Visions that I purchased for review is all-VG at 18mg nic strength. The liquid is golden-colored and quite thick, typical for VG juices from AVE. Tasting for review was done by dripping into a Joye 1.5 ohm atty powered by a Hello 016 battery running at 4.0 volts and also loaded into a SmokTech 1.5 ohm XL dual coil clear carto powered by a madvapes VV box running at 4.5 volts.

OK, after last review's short trip down Classic RY4 Lane with the Dekang RY-series, now it's back to RY4-variant Land.

Or maybe not. If a way-station exists right at the boundary between Classic RY4s and RY4-variants, Raf-a-licious lives there. I'm inclined to call it an RY4-variant, for the simple reason that alien Visions didn't name it "RY4." Despite that choice, however, Raf-a-licious tastes like a Classic RY4.

However we categorize it, let me state right up front that---to my particular palate---this is a fantastic juice. One of the best RY4s or variants I've ever tasted, and that's saying something.

First off, performance is stellar. Like all AVE all-VG juices, vapor production is huge. Big clouds of vapor (especially in my dual-coil setup at higher-than-average voltage). Throat hit at 18mg is lovely---not knock-you-on-your-...., but more than enough to make you sit up and take notice. All in all, Raf-alicious is one very satisfying vape.

As for overall flavor, it's balanced and unified, with one exception---the presence of a slight sourness. Not "sour" in a scrunched-up-face awful way, but sour as a very subtle element that provides beautiful balancing contrast to the sweetness. One second I taste sour, the next second the sourness is replaced by yummy sweetness, then back again. This "see-saw" alternation is immensely pleasing---rather than cancelling out either element, both are accentuated and enhanced.

Raf-a-licious is one of only two RY4s or RY4-variants I've ever vaped that has a sour flavor element (the other being the #1 ranked juice in the Big List, Janty RY4). I'm really puzzled as to why no other RY4s use this balancing contrast between sweet and sour (because it's terrific), but they don't. Both Janty RY4 and Raf-a-licious use it brilliantly.

The other flavors are melded so well that I can't really distinguish any of the three classic ingredients---tobacco, caramel, and vanilla---but I know they're all present and accounted for, happily holding hands. Raf-a-licious has no nut flavor that I can discern, which is OK in this case (Ikenvape RY4 Gold takes care of the nutty branch of the RY4 family; Raf-a-licious is Janty's brother with that yummy sweet-sour thing). This juice sings RY4 as a lovely, clear solo voice, without needing any harmonies. Just that great RY4 melody. A cappella. Like Joan Baez or Edith Piaf.

Does my description come off as over-the-top in praise? Well, it should. Raf-a-licious is that good. AVE has another huge winner here to go with Boba's Bounty. Bravo.

Ranking: #3
Categories: Balanced/Blended, Variants

 

[billherbst]

Below is the most current update of the rankings and category groups. Please keep in mind that these rankings are just my opinion---your taste buds and nose may not sing to your brain like mine do to my brain.

RY4 Rankings (includes RY4-variants)

#1-10…..Superlative, Nectar of the Gods
#11-20.…Very Good, like fine wine
#21-30...Good, well worth vaping
#31-40...OK, decent in a pinch
#41-49...So-So, but wouldn't be my choice
#50-52.…My least favorites


1. Janty RY4 Elixir
2. Ikenvape IKV RY4 Gold, PG Blend
3. Alien Visions Raf-a-licious
4. VapeRite Organic VR4
5. PrimeVaping PV4
6. HealthCabin Dekang RY4
7. VaporTalk Dulcis
8. Bloog/Volt RY4
9. Want2Vape RY4

10. Moondrop RY42
11. VaporStation VS4
12. ValueVapor Dekang RY3
13. GoodProphets Keemer RY3 VG
14. LiquidXpress Taboo
15. Esmoke4Life Riskee Yuice
16. ElixirLiquid RY4
17. Sweet-Vapes RY4
18. GoodProphets Keemer RY4 VG
19. BackwoodsBrew RY4
20. NiteLiteVapor Renegade RY4

21. CopperCreek Voodoo
22. ECBlend Ruyan 4 (lite recipe)
23. QuickNicVapor RY4
24. Vixen Vapors RY4
25. VapeRite RY4
26. ValueVapor Dekang RY1-2
27. Liberty-Flights Hangsen RY1-4
28. KalamazooVaporShop RY4
29. EliteVaporworks RY4
30. GoodEJuice RY4

31. TheVaporRoom Ginger's RY4
32. VapeDoctor RY4
33. GourmetVapor RY4
34. VaporStation RY4
35. KickBassVapor RY4
36. TopShelf RY4
37. SmokeForPennys RY4
38. JooglerJuice Joogler's Blend
39. Want2Vape Rock Star
40. CopperCreek Twisted Tobacco

41. Halo Tribeca
42. AltSmoke RY4
43. HighCaliber Our 4
44. VapeMasters R4
45. FreedomSmokeUSA RY4
46. HoneyvilleVapor RY4
47. AwesomeVapor RY4
48. Mist-Stix RY4
49. VoidMist RY4 (all 3 versions as a group)
50. Vapure VY4/Liberty-Flights LF4

51. BlueMistVaping RY4
52. FlavourArt oRYental 4


Category Groups

Stronger Tobacco (less sweet)
2. Ikenvape IKV RY4 Gold, PG Blend
6. HealthCabin Dekang RY4
7. VaporTalk Dulcis
10. Moondrop RY42
11. VaporStation VS4
15. Esmoke4Life Riskee Yuice
17. Sweet-Vapes RY4
18. GoodProphets Keemer RY4 VG
19. BackwoodsBrew RY4
20. NiteLiteVapor Renegade RY4
25. VapeRite RY4
27. Liberty-Flights Hangsen RY1-4
32. TheVaporRoom Ginger's RY4

Dessert (more sweet)
1. Janty RY4 Elixir
8. Bloog/Volt RY4
23. QuickNicVapor RY4
24. Vixen Vapors RY4
27. Liberty-Flights Hangsen RY4
28. KalamazooVaporShop RY4
30. GoodEJuice RY4
32. VapeDoctor RY4
35. KickBassVapor RY4
36. TopShelf RY4
37. SmokeForPennys RY4
40. CopperCreek Twisted Tobacco
43. HighCaliber Our 4
49. VoidMist RY4 (all 3 versions as a group)
50. Vapure VY4/Liberty-Flights LF4
xx. nHaler RY4 (unranked)

Nutty
2. Ikenvape IKV RY4 Gold, PG Blend
7. VaporTalk Dulcis
14. LiquidXpress Taboo
15. ElixirLiquid RY4
23. QuickNicVapor RY4
25. VapeRite RY4
28. KalamazooVaporShop RY4

Caramel Rich
4. VapeRite Organic VR4
5. PrimeVaping PV4
6. Want2Vape RY4
10. Moondrop RY42
13. GoodProphets Keemer RY3 VG
14. LiquidXpress Taboo
21. CopperCreek Voodoo
24. Vixen Vapors RY4
29. EliteVaporworks RY4
30. GoodEJuice RY4
33. GourmetVapor RY4
35. KickBassVapor RY4
36. TopShelf RY4
40. CopperCreek Twisted Tobacco
49. VoidMist RY4 (all 3 versions as a group)
50. Vapure VY4/Liberty-Flights LF4
xx. nHaler RY4 (unranked)

Vanilla Rich
5. PrimeVaping PV4
17. Sweet-Vapes RY4
19. BackwoodsBrew RY4
23. QuickNicVapor RY4
38. JooglerJuice Joogler's Blend
40. CopperCreek Twisted Tobacco
45. FreedomSmokeUSA RY4
49. VoidMist RY4 Version 3

Liqueur
19. BackwoodsBrew RY4
23. QuickNicVapor RY4
24. Vixen Vapors RY4

Balanced/Blended
1. Janty RY4 Elixir
3. Alien Visions Raf-a-licious
5. PrimeVaping PV4
6. HealthCabin Dekang RY4
7. VaporTalk Dulcis
8. Bloog/Volt RY4
11. VaporStation VS4
16. ElixirLiquid RY4
18. GoodProphets Keemer RY4 VG
22. ECBlend Ruyan 4 (lite recipe)
25. VapeRite RY4
27. Liberty-Flights Hangsen RY1-4
28. KalamazooVaporShop RY4
29. EliteVaporworks RY4
30. GoodEJuice RY4
34. VaporStation RY4
37. SmokeForPennys RY4
40. CopperCreek Twisted Tobacco
41. Halo Tribeca
47. AwesomeVapor RY4

Variants (non-typical)
3. Alien Visions Raf-a-licious
4. VapeRite Organic VR4
10. Moondrop RY42
19. BackwoodsBrew RY4
21. CopperCreek Voodoo
27. Liberty-Flights Hangsen RY1
31. TheVaporRoom Ginger's RY4
35. KickBassVapor RY4
38. JooglerJuice Joogler's Blend
39. Want2Vape Rock Star
40. CopperCreek Twisted Tobacco
41. Halo Tribeca
43. HighCaliber Our 4
45. FreedomSmokeUSA RY4
49. VoidMist RY4 (all 3 versions as a group)
50. Vapure VY4/Liberty-Flights LF4

So-So (undistinguished)
48. Mist-Stix RY4
49. VoidMist RY4 (all 3 versions as a group)
50. Vapure VY4/Liberty-Flights LF4

Bizarre (just plain weird)
51. BlueMistVaping RY4
52. FlavourArt oRYental 4


forthcoming reviews:
Toasted Tobacco Kick Juice from ESCI

 

[wigglr]

You're reviews are OUTSTANDING bill. They really provide more information than 99% of the reviews I read! I look forward to them. I will probably give AVE raf-a-licious a try.

 

[gratefulbuddy]

I love the raf. Can't wait until they offer it in 100ml.

 

[washvap]

washvap,

Janty electronic cigarettes, e-liquids and carts - Elixir PG eLiquid RY4 15ml
Janty electronic cigarettes, e-liquids and carts - Elixir VG eLiquid RY4 15ml

Thanks a lot bill. Placed an order right now to try it out. Ordered the raf-a-liscious a few days ago and patiently waiting for it's arrival.

 

[billherbst]

Ordered the raf-a-liscious a few days ago and patiently waiting for it's arrival.

washvap,

Though it's becoming rare that I vape RY4s for my own pleasure anymore, Raf-a-licious is so impressive that I've actually been vaping it some over the past week. I now think it may have a maple or maple syrup ingredient as a sweet element. Normally, maple in an RY4 wouldn't thrill me, but it's used so subtly in Raf that I don't mind at all. Or maybe I'm wrong. Raf-a-licious is one of those juices where the blend of flavor ingredients is almost impossible to analyze or decipher because the whole is so well-blended and much greater than the sum of the parts.

A lot of juices I vape---even some pretty good ones---are like, "So what? I could make this myself. Nothing special here." Then there are a small number of amazing juices that make me sit up and take notice. It's like they're magical elixirs made by alchemists. Raf-a-licious is in that elite club, at least to my palate. It's truly art more than mere product.

Let us know what you think of it.

 

[SpiderMo]

I just got the raf in just the other day and haven't put it down yet, it is absolutly fantastic and every ingredient they have in it just works to perfection!!!!

 

[washvap]

washvap,

Though it's becoming rare that I vape RY4s for my own pleasure anymore, Raf-a-licious is so impressive that I've actually been vaping it some over the past week. I now think it may have a maple or maple syrup ingredient as a sweet element. Normally, maple in an RY4 wouldn't thrill me, but it's used so subtly in Raf that I don't mind at all. Or maybe I'm wrong. Raf-a-licious is one of those juices where the blend of flavor ingredients is almost impossible to analyze or decipher because the whole is so well-blended and much greater than the sum of the parts.

A lot of juices I vape---even some pretty good ones---are like, "So what? I could make this myself. Nothing special here." Then there are a small number of amazing juices that make me sit up and take notice. It's like they're magical elixirs made by alchemists. Raf-a-licious is in that elite club, at least to my palate. It's truly art more than mere product.

Let us know what you think of it.

Thanks for your observations. Sounds like some must-have juice and now, I'm really starting to get impatient with USPS LOL But, it should be here any day. I'll definitely give my impressions on what I think about it.

Overall, I'm been impressed with the two AVE tobaccos I've tried. Such as the ever so popular Boba's and Gorilla Juice. AVE really does do a great job at mixing. Even their fruit flavors such as Hype is nicely done. Not one flavor ever overpowers the other which is very rare. So, I agree that most juices I've tried are very straight forward. Usually one flavor is the main attraction while others are in the background. Which does make it very boring.

Looking forward to seeing how raf-a-liscious differs from the other RY4's that I've tried.

 

[wigglr]

AV is one of those companies that produce QUALITY juice.. they may not be for every person's taste buds, but they are very well-concoted.

 

[Str8V8ping]

Where does greenhouseones ry4 stand on the list ? I got some today in free with my order . Its smells a million times better than the nhaler one i got

 

[DonD13]

Has anybody else noticed a very strong peanut butter taste with the quick nic RY4?

 

[billherbst]

Has anybody else noticed a very strong peanut butter taste with the quick nic RY4?

Don,

In the Category Groupings of the Big List, seven RY4s have a nutty flavor element. QuickNic RY4 is among them. I can't tell if the nuttiness is peanut for sure (as opposed to some other nut or mix of nuts), because the nut flavor is masked somewhat by the sharp liqueur tanginess, but it's probably peanut and most definitely present.

To my palate, Ikenvape's nuttiness is the most pleasing of that group.

 

[thehangdude]

Has anybody else noticed a very strong peanut butter taste with the quick nic RY4?

As a big QNJ RY4 fan (it is by far my favorite), I think it is Hazelnut. I always steep my RY4 (from all vendors) and have found the caramel really comes alive after about 10 days. If your QNJ RY4 is fresh, give it a few days.

 

[GMalarkey]

Well I got in a bottle of Madvapes RY4 and it tastes the same as what I got a little while back. I guess they haven't got the new improved version that Health Cabin is selling. I am also currently waiting on a bottle of Health Cabin Dekang 18mg RY4 to arrive. I'll be glad to let all of you know what I think but I doubt my reviews will be anywhere near as eloquent as the others on here.

 

[billherbst]

I'll be glad to let all of you know what I think but I doubt my reviews will be anywhere near as eloquent as the others on here.

Don't worry, GM---eloquent or not, we'll be happy to hear what you think.

 

[Megadrip]

Where does greenhouseones ry4 stand on the list ? I got some today in free with my order . Its smells a million times better than the nhaler one i got

yep, I read elsewhere GH1 RY4 is same as former HC, maybe the HC chemist changed company???

 

[passerbyeus]

I have some RY4 in the classifieds, save some cash on shipping

 

[GMalarkey]

Don't worry, GM---eloquent or not, we'll be happy to hear what you think.

Thank you sir. I am debating on waiting on trying my Health Cabin RY4 until my new PV arrives, if it gets here first that is. I ordered a variable volt Infinity Pro so I can try out vaping at something other than 3.7. I am wondering if this might wake up the flavor in some of my juices and then I may get a similar experience as some of the folks here.

 

[billherbst]

I ordered a variable volt Infinity Pro so I can try out vaping at something other than 3.7. I am wondering if this might wake up the flavor in some of my juices and then I may get a similar experience as some of the folks here.

GM,

If your experience is anywhere close to mine, a VV will make all the difference in the world. I simply won't vape at 3.7 anymore. I have 13 variable-voltage PVs/mods, and even my eGo batts are unregulated (like SLB kGos and such), so they run at 4 volts (I have to recharge them more often to keep the voltage up, but that's OK).

I started off a year ago with a 3.7V Riva and jumped to higher voltage vaping very quickly. Within a month, I'd bought a MaxiRoughStack and two Omegas that I ran at 6.4V with stacked rcr123a batteries for awhile, although now I run those mods at 5V with the special NIMH battery, same one I use in both my Phidias bottom-feeders.

I never owned an "authentic" Joye eGo (which are regulated to run at 3.2V), but I can't imagine that it provides much satisfaction. Even with a 1.5 ohm atty or carto, we're still talking less than 7 watts, and that just won't cut it. I hardly ever vape at less than 10 watts and above.

Higher voltage is the only way to go.