Throat Kick?

[st-tches]

(I'm aware the size of this is ridiculous lol, read the bolded line below for a shortcut if you're not a quick reader or just not in the mood for it)

Alright, so I'm now committed to quitting smoking and have gotten much more into vaping. I noticed that immediately after I started vaping and could go most of the day without an analog, whenever I actually had one it would taste absolutely wretched. Now, for some annoying reason I still want normal cigarettes every now and then, but I think that's more because I just enjoy smoking (And will probably still smoke a pipe or cigar every now and then) and cigarettes had been my method of choice.

Anyways, on to the actual topic. It's very easy to notice that the higher the nicotine content the harsher the throat kick, but I've found that - even as a half-pack to full-pack a day smoker (Never really stuck with a specific brand, I like trying new ones, but I never went for lights or ultra lights with the exception of those peppermint-y Marlboro Smooths every now and then) for a couple years, I get one hell of a throat kick out of the typical "high" juices (High nic 7's are the only liquids I don't have to drive 20 minutes for around here). This doesn't really make sense to me, because with the nicotine from the cigarettes alone (I also smoke(d) pipe tobacco and cigars/cigarillos semi-regularly, and about half the time I'd actually inhale them) my tolerance for the stuff is relatively high, but I see people out there vaping Very High liquids in the 24mg/mL range that complain about throat hit. How the hell does that work? Basically, my question is this: Could I have a problem with PG or something else that makes me feel more of a harsh feeling on my throat? I don't get much kick from tobacco at all, so I find it bizarre. Also, higher-nic liquids burn my nostrils a bit when I french or blow directly out of my nose w/out inhaling, but that seems more normal, plus it's a dry crappy winter up here so my nose is always dry. I never vaped heavily before, and usually I'd use zero-nic juices because I just liked vaping, but now I'm vaping heavily with nic juices to prevent withdrawal.

If it matters, here's my experience with some liquids and the throat hit I feel with 'em (And I don't know the PG/VG ratio for any):

Starbuzz Queen of Sex (Weird name, but it's really good): I got the 12 mg/mL version and at first it was a bit harsh, but over time it's become my old standby and the throat kick feels more natural now. I have tried a 0 nic version once and got no kick whatsoever.

7's "High" strength liquids: I have Watermelon, Double Apple, and Grape. Watermelon is good, Double Apple is alright, and Grape tastes like a grape-flavored Bottle Cap had a baby with a bar of soap. Anyways, I believe they're 16 mg/mL, but that's off the top of my head. My second guess would be 18 mg/mL, but again I'm not sure. These feel fairly harsh, and I'm surprised because all they sell around here are the "high" strengths, so I'm inferring that most people get that strength, but the first couple times I tried 'em it felt like a freight train was hitting the back of my throat. I've gotten more used to it but they still kick more than I'd like and I can't smoke them exclusively or my throat will be sore (Usually for the first half of the next day, and of course while I'm doing it).

VaporKings liquids (Don't remember what individual company made them, but they're from the same one): The 6 mg/mL Dr. Ceyenne actually has an extremely minor throat kick, almost unnoticeable. The 18 mg/mL Clove liquid (It's pretty good, but not very similar to clove) feels a bit harsher than the 7's liquids.

Halo liquid: The 6 mg/mL 'Voodoo' liquid they sell has a similar kick to the Dr. Ceyenne, unfortunately ever since I tried to DIY a liquid with 'Bavarian Cream' extract (.......ing terrible [not sure about the policy on swearing so I assumed I should censor it]) anything with so much as a hint of a flavor that even partially resembles that BC flavor tastes sickening to me.

As far as 'equipment' goes, I'm vaping an eGo battery with Vision Vivi Nova 2s, both with 1.8 ohm heads. My brother has a twist battery and a metal 3.5 mL steel Vivi Nova tank (Not sure what it was specifically as the store didn't have labels on them) with no window (Haven't looked to see if the atty head has the ohm measurement on it yet and my bro doesn't know much about e-cigs) and an eGo-C Twist battery (Gonna buy one myself ASAP lol). The voltage I set it to varies depending on the liquid and what I'm in the mood for, but either way the throat hit stays in the same area (Of course with obvious differences depending on the voltage).

(If the above is too lengthy, you can just read the beginning and the section below and pretty much understand what I'm asking)

So does it just take some getting used to or do I need to look into this? As I said I have a relatively high nicotine tolerance and very rarely get a buzz from any form of tobacco (Let alone e-cigs) so I wouldn't think nicotine would be the problem, but maybe vaping is different? Sorry the post is so long, I tend to type quickly and get wordy.

 

[tyob1]

It seems to be my experience that liquids with higher ratios of PG and/or flavorings give a harder throat hit.. You could also be hypersensitive to the PG.. Take these statements as opinions, because I'm far from a ENT specialist. I noticed that I can try different liquids from the same maker at the same nic level and experience varying degrees of throat hit.

 

[st-tches]

It seems to be my experience that liquids with higher ratios of PG and/or flavorings give a harder throat hit.. You could also be hypersensitive to the PG.. Take these statements as opinions, because I'm far from a ENT specialist. I noticed that I can try different liquids from the same maker at the same nic level and experience varying degrees of throat hit.

Ah, both of those make sense, and it's more than possible because I can't even tell what the PG/VG ratio on any of my juices is (Minus the ballpark guesses from viscosity, but there's other variables so that's pretty inaccurate) let alone choose them on the sites I've been on. I always figured I wouldn't care... I guess it's time to check out some sites that'll let me customize my juice aside from nic content lol.

Any sites you recommend? I want a good Dr. Pepper e-liquid (Dr. Ceyenne is alright but not very similar to DP), maybe some mint choices (Especially peppermint), and good fruity and dessert flavors (I'm pretty sure I just asked for a site that has everything lol, but whatever). I guess I'm just asking if you know of a site that lets me customize PG/VG ratio and has a lot of good choices (And if you know of an accurate Dr. Pepper liquid)

Also, thank you for responding!

 

[tyob1]

I'm not entirely sure of any specific sites that sell custom blended juices as the flavor strength is affected by the pg/vg ratio. Maybe some one can chime in and elaborate?... I've tried a LOT of different vendors and have pretty much settled on Indigo Vapor. It's my personal preference, but I like their blend which is usually 50/50. Their flavors taste very pure to me. I'm sure everyone on here would give you a different answer.

My faves: OMG Peach, Grape Ape, Eastwood, Captain Ron, and Pumpkin Mocha. I don't really care for dessert flavors but I have friends who do and swear by Indigo.

Good luck! Vape on!

 

[tyob1]

PS. There's a lot of trial, error, an frustration figuring out what liq works for you, but one you get it, you got it.

 

[st-tches]

PS. There's a lot of trial, error, an frustration figuring out what liq works for you, but one you get it, you got it.

Alright, that's good to know, that'd also explain why I never see the same responses given to "What's your favorite juice?" type of questions. I guess I was still thinking of it like cigarettes, where even though people would have different preferences you could still get a consistent 'rating' with every type.

 

[bones1274]

Some vendors add alcohol to their juice. This can give juice a very strong/harsh TH.

 

[bulldog63h]

Mt baker vapor lets you fully customize from what people on here have said. I've never ordered from them personally because I DIY, but you could check them out.

 

[dice57]

Their are a lot of factors that apply into throat hit and nic delivery. The most important factor is the gear you use, most notably the atomizer being used. The better the gear, the higher the watts vaped at, the more nic delivered into your system.

I started vaping 24 mg nic in the beginning. Then when I upgraded to a regulated mod and a rba, I had to drop my nic down to 18 mg, or walk around dazed and confused for an hour. Then as my builds got better and I started vaping at 15 watts, I had to drop it down to 12 mg. Now am into some mechanical devices to and sub ohm builds, and find that 12mg nic when vaped at 50 watts pretty much kicks my azz.

VG/PG ratio come down to personal preference. I find high PG juice to be to harsh, prefer my juice at 80%-70% VG. Smoother taste for me, with plenty of throat hit, especially when vaped at 15 watts or higher.

Everything vape related takes time, some experimenting, with hit and miss decisions made. Finding the right juice is one of the more frustrating aspects with vape. Then once your sense of taste and smell recovers, some find they don't like their ADV anymore, and have to find a new one.

I am continually amazed, with all that ones has to do to get to the Great Vape Escape, how many stick with it. But considering most of us knew and felt the effects of cigarettes killing us day by day, we had no choice but to go through the learning process. Having gotten to the end goal of finding my ultimate vape gear, builds, and juice, I am so happy I stuck with it. Vape brings me more joy and satisfaction than any cigarette could possibly deliver, plus having a new hobby too.

Vape long and Prosper.!!