I notice one or two recipies allow for the inclusion of vodka or distilled water. Provided the quality of the alcohol is high [e.g. commercial brands without any potential nasties added], would the addition of whiskey or brandy be acceptable?
Vodka - or can we be creative?
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I honestly don't know. Might need to look at the ingredients and compare to vodka.
I can be exceptionally creative after enough vodka 
I would guess that any liquor could be used but would impart a strong flavor into the mix whereas vodka would more or less “take on” the flavor of the other ingredients.
Maybe
I would guess that any liquor could be used but would impart a strong flavor into the mix whereas vodka would more or less “take on” the flavor of the other ingredients.
Maybe
Yep vodka can lead to quite creative escapades. Unfortunately I can remember them all.
I can be exceptionally creative after enough vodka
I would guess that any liquor could be used but would impart a strong flavor into the mix whereas vodka would more or less “take on” the flavor of the other ingredients.
Maybe
That's partly my thinking, @B2L. I was wondering why certain commercial juices have an aroma without shaking/squeezing the bottle, and my immediate guess was there was alcohol added in there somewhere.
Taking that a step further, if you add something like brandy or whiskey, not only will the alcohol carry the aroma of the other ingredients, but the sugars etc. when heated will add something to the experience.
IIRC, burning commercial drinking alcohol will leave a residue unless it is very pure, so that would be one immediate test.
Please carefully do some research before using other alcohols. There are some very good alcohol flavored concentrates out there.
I beg to differ, it's a family curse on my father's side. We can't drink enough to forget the night before. That is also a wonderful gift, I can remember the most epic amazing times as well.You clearly didn't drink enough.
I beg to differ, it's a family curse on my father's side. We can't drink enough to forget the night before. That is also a wonderful gift, I can remember the most epic amazing times as well.
Hhhmmm... there's no reason why it wouldn't work. There's little difference in the various distilled alcohols aside from where they get their sugars; they are all ethanol. Whiskeys are distilled from grains and starches-- a/k/a "beer"-- (yes, including vodkas) that must be soaked in water to release the sugar. Brandies are distilled from fruits juicy enough to be pressed and have the sugars run out in the juices-- a/k/a "wine". The rest is just flavoring, and can come from the original distillate (most brandies have a strong fruit flavor), or the aging process (that's why they charcoal the inside of the aging barrels for Bourbon), the smoke from the fire used to heat it (Scots) or by other processes. Gin, for example, is a flavored vodka, and it takes its distinct flavor from having the distillate steam pass through a chamber filled with various flavorful organics-- generically the "aromatics"-- always including juniper berries and usually other things like citrus peels and the like, before it is condensed into liquid. I had an odd bottle of Scots once which was aged in a barrel previously used to age a sweet porter; interesting flavor, actually, the peat was almost drowned out. So there are any number of methods.
But with all that said, I am still not certain how good an idea it is. In general, in vape juice alcohol is generally added, usually in tiny quantities, to increase throat hit. The normal quantities are too small to impart much flavor; by the time you get enough in it to taste it I suspect you'll need a stainless throat lining to vape it without screaming. I think you may do better pursuing the flavors by using flavoring molecules available from various vendors intended to mimic various spirits or even mixed drinks.
If there's some off-the-wall brand of whiskey you just have to have, and it isn't normally matched in commercial flavor profiles, you might make your own by freezing the water out of it. If you take a small bowl of spirits and put it in the freezer and let it get cold, it won't freeze because of the alcohol. But if you then float a few chips of water ice in it the water used in proofing (diluting the pure spirit) will freeze out of the mixture by adhering to the ice. This is normally done by evil-minded people who wish to unexpectedly increase the potency of a drink without changing the flavor much, and the "improved" spirits are poured and the ice is discarded. But if you saved the ice, and melted it, I would not be shocked to find some of the flavor molecules went along with the water. Perhaps that might be added to your mixture. Might be worth a try, anyway.
But with all that said, I am still not certain how good an idea it is. In general, in vape juice alcohol is generally added, usually in tiny quantities, to increase throat hit. The normal quantities are too small to impart much flavor; by the time you get enough in it to taste it I suspect you'll need a stainless throat lining to vape it without screaming. I think you may do better pursuing the flavors by using flavoring molecules available from various vendors intended to mimic various spirits or even mixed drinks.
If there's some off-the-wall brand of whiskey you just have to have, and it isn't normally matched in commercial flavor profiles, you might make your own by freezing the water out of it. If you take a small bowl of spirits and put it in the freezer and let it get cold, it won't freeze because of the alcohol. But if you then float a few chips of water ice in it the water used in proofing (diluting the pure spirit) will freeze out of the mixture by adhering to the ice. This is normally done by evil-minded people who wish to unexpectedly increase the potency of a drink without changing the flavor much, and the "improved" spirits are poured and the ice is discarded. But if you saved the ice, and melted it, I would not be shocked to find some of the flavor molecules went along with the water. Perhaps that might be added to your mixture. Might be worth a try, anyway.
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Some flavors use alcohol as a carrier for their flavors instead of pg. Those type are meant to steep with the lid off so the alcohol can evaporate before using in your vape. At least you know then that the company made it 'fresh' for you....
Sorry I was late to the party. What are we drinking?
My experiences with alcohols is that vodka imparts a flavor that is pretty persistent. I use it occasionally (was experimenting with stuff after well, finding out I was PG sensitive but before finding out about PEG400.
Vodka did not seem especially harmful and I didn't have issues vaping it, other than you don't really want it for every mix it gets boring and everything tastes like vodka plus (insert whatever flavor) I really only use it if I think it will improve a mix.
What I have been told about the other alcohols is they have sugars and other stuff in them that won't be kind to your coil and vape. In a fit of experimentation I tried a few drops of a (rather cheap) burgundy in my tank, it caramelized instantly on the coil the vape actually was not BAD, but for some reason it turned my vapor smell into a really strong, rather authentic curry. It required a complete tank teardown including replacing the 0 rings. I wouldn't do it again with any liquor other than vodka to be quite honest.
I guess you can TRY if you want, but honestly some of the alcohol flavorings while maybe not having that authentic "kick" (although I do have a gin that has quite a kick, feels like it anyway) are probably safer.
I don't think you will do yourself HARM necessarily by trying some mixes, but I would be doubtful about long term success, and clearly SOMETHING was happening to that burgundy as I vaped it it was not a curry mix. So, I would proceed with caution if at all, make small batches, and keep in mind you won't know (necessarily) what vaping booze with impurities is going to do long term with your lungs, you just.. Don't.
Anna
Vodka did not seem especially harmful and I didn't have issues vaping it, other than you don't really want it for every mix it gets boring and everything tastes like vodka plus (insert whatever flavor) I really only use it if I think it will improve a mix.
What I have been told about the other alcohols is they have sugars and other stuff in them that won't be kind to your coil and vape. In a fit of experimentation I tried a few drops of a (rather cheap) burgundy in my tank, it caramelized instantly on the coil the vape actually was not BAD, but for some reason it turned my vapor smell into a really strong, rather authentic curry. It required a complete tank teardown including replacing the 0 rings. I wouldn't do it again with any liquor other than vodka to be quite honest.
I guess you can TRY if you want, but honestly some of the alcohol flavorings while maybe not having that authentic "kick" (although I do have a gin that has quite a kick, feels like it anyway) are probably safer.
I don't think you will do yourself HARM necessarily by trying some mixes, but I would be doubtful about long term success, and clearly SOMETHING was happening to that burgundy as I vaped it it was not a curry mix. So, I would proceed with caution if at all, make small batches, and keep in mind you won't know (necessarily) what vaping booze with impurities is going to do long term with your lungs, you just.. Don't.
Anna
Flavor Without Diacetyl (2) - Natures Flavors *
From another vape forum:
"Nature’s Flavors(USA) highly concentrated – are organic, "they are in an water/ethly alcohol or an organic cane alcohol/water solution rather than a PG/Distilled Water/Ethyl Al solution like most other brands" -Jim Kipila DIY Vapor Supply.only some* of their flavour ranges are suitable for vaping-"
Have not tried any of NF flavors but wondering if the alcohol is detectable/tastewise after outgassing. I'm thinking that flavors with any vodka or ethyl AL are going to pack a TH if allowed/not left to outgas/breathe after DIY mixing. Actual experience comments are welcome.
In addition to gunk buildup potential as others have mentioned, adding alcohol will also drop the boiling point of the ejuice. This is generally good but too much and it won't vape well and could start to fractionally distill in the tank.
Small amounts of alcohol should be ok (guess up to a percent or so but haven't experimented myself). Various alcohols are already components of many common commercial flavorings.
Per water, I always add 1% H2O to my mixes: it drops the bp, helps wicking, adds a little fluff, saves on other components. I've seen mixers use up to 10% water; PG/VG and viscosity and target atty all play a role in what's best.
Small amounts of alcohol should be ok (guess up to a percent or so but haven't experimented myself). Various alcohols are already components of many common commercial flavorings.
Per water, I always add 1% H2O to my mixes: it drops the bp, helps wicking, adds a little fluff, saves on other components. I've seen mixers use up to 10% water; PG/VG and viscosity and target atty all play a role in what's best.
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