I am a 555 freak. I have tried nearly every supplier's 555 and done head-to-head taste tests, finally concluding in December that there were really only only two distinct types: V4L 555, and Dekang. In other words, every other supplier seemed to sell the same Dekang 555 with almost identical taste/color/consistency, whereas V4L 555 was distinctly different-- "sweeter" (for lack of a better term), much more flavorful, and recognizably darker in color. I bought up a bunch in Dec. and Jan. before the well ran dry, so I got very attuned to the V4L 555 taste (or at least the taste of that batch), and can instantly tell the difference between it and regular Dekang 555.
So, on St. Patty's day the 30ml 555s were back in stock, so I ordered up another large batch in varying strengths. Long story short, unfortunately this batch looks and tastes exactly like all my other Dekang 555 8-o . Don't get me wrong... I love any and all 555, so it definitely ain't going to waste (!) but I fear the possibility that the former V4L 555 taste I grew to love dearly was either a manufacturing glitch unique to that batch, or an entirely different recipe/ingredients no longer in use. I have several 5ml bottles of the old/former batch still, and head-to-head with the new batch at the same nic sterength/s there is no comparisson--the latest V4L 555 tastes and looks like everyday Dekang 555.
Any other V4L 555 nuts out there notice this?
So, on St. Patty's day the 30ml 555s were back in stock, so I ordered up another large batch in varying strengths. Long story short, unfortunately this batch looks and tastes exactly like all my other Dekang 555 8-o . Don't get me wrong... I love any and all 555, so it definitely ain't going to waste (!) but I fear the possibility that the former V4L 555 taste I grew to love dearly was either a manufacturing glitch unique to that batch, or an entirely different recipe/ingredients no longer in use. I have several 5ml bottles of the old/former batch still, and head-to-head with the new batch at the same nic sterength/s there is no comparisson--the latest V4L 555 tastes and looks like everyday Dekang 555.
Any other V4L 555 nuts out there notice this?

