We have a special review for you Good News! readers - we're reviewing the VCT (Vanilla Custard Tobacco) by Ripe Vapes!
'Read More' to gauge our thoughts on this exclusive 'Joose'!
'Read More' to gauge our thoughts on this exclusive 'Joose'!
To explain a few things first, Ripe Vapes was extremely kind enough to send us their full line of 'Jooses', as they prefer to call them - we're reviewing the "VCT" (Vanilla Custard Tobacco) first.
We're giving the other E-Liquids in their line a little more time to steep, as they seemed to perform a little unusually so far - we're also hoping to review those flavors with an RDA!
Ripe Vapes is a company that explains using locally sourced extracts and ingredients of the finest quality, creating 'Jooses' that many claim stand up to the high-caliber lines of today - and to be honest, their prices are on the highest end. One does expect a very high standard with Ripe Vapes!
It would seem that their E-Liquids are 30PG/70VG, and though not mentioned, we will go ahead an say that this line seems best for RDA's and high-end vaping.
To get to the first flavor, VCT, the scent of the 'Joose' is really delicious - we smell a deep, full-bodied vanilla, a dark, toasted sugar, and an overall scent that is very alike to Ripe Vapes description of a vanilla, custard-infused tobacco. It really has a scent that reminds you of southern, down-home vaping!
We tested this E-Liquid for quite some time on the new 'BVC' coils by Aspire, which was a product we did not ended up liking, and one that did not give this E-Liquid any justice.
Then, we switched it up and tried the VCT on the new dual-coil Kanger heads, in an EVOD 2, and we're getting a much better performance!
Right away, you do notice that, wether it's because of the set-up, or wether today's E-Liquid still isn't to the notch we prefer, that the 'Joose' isn't as complex as one might expect.
With a soft, gentle drag, we get a fluffy vanilla that really recalls a good batch of Johnson Creek's Vanda - that is, when you get a good batch of the Vanda.. We've had a bad batch of the Vanda, and right away, you notice that Ripe Vape's take on this is to the exact standard Johnson Creek only try for.
However, the vanilla in the VCT is rather fluffier and softer; the custard is just not showing itself. In a custard, you really do expect moist, eggy notes that really recreate a sort of "instant pudding" experience, much like drinking a chilled nog or eating a spoonful of custard. We're just not getting that note here, and the texture is quite a drier, almost powdered, deep vanilla.
Now, here's where things get a little interesting. This 'Joose' changes a good bit depending on your draw type. If you do a soft, gentle draw, you really get that fluffy vanilla that almost tastes a little cottony in a way. If you do a strong inhale, however, you get a different profile - one of a darkened, toasted, dry sugar that stands out as what is meant to be the 'tobacco' here.
That's not to say these layers are incredibly distinct - this is a liquid where the elements come together and create more of a unique flavor entirely. It may present more complexity on an RDA, but on the EVOD 2 with the dual-coils, this is really what we're getting, and it is quite nice. With this bottle being 18mg, we also believe it's helping the 'tobacco' stand out a little more than it would.
Overall, a great way to describe this E-Liquid is that there's a picture on Ripe Vapes' website (in their moving banner) that shows a bottle of VCT nestled in a bouqet of tobacco grounds, a few dried, cotton-ball blossoms, a few brown leaves, and an overall woodsy backdrop. The elements you see in that photo really represent this E-Liquid quite strikingly, as we'd describe this flavor as sort of a fluffy, darkened vanilla with sweet, subtle brown notes, and an overall cottony sort of texture and taste.
It really presents a drier, toastier vanilla blend.
What we will say is that we'd have hoped for a few moister notes in the blend for a custard layer, a real eggy pressence, and possibly a bit stronger notes as far as the tobacco shines in this blend (which seems to be more of a toasted, darkened sugar extract). What we'll also say is this is simply not a flavor that we've experienced from any cheap brands or B&M lines. It has a flavor that we just haven't had before, and seems to be well-blended to the point that it has no artificial tastes, no wonky flavorings, and it really shines as a blend that is on the top-tier scale.
It is indeed hard to compare this one to anything else!
This is where we get to the price. Ripe Vapes prices are at $25 per 30ml. Quite on the high end. Does the VCT stack up to that price? It's hard to say.
As an E-Liquid, this is one of the better flavors we've come across, and that is saying a lot. In those terms, we'd pay $25 any day for an E-Liquid we knew had a good standard about the blend, something we can indeed vape an entire bottle and feel "full" about the purchase. We feel this way about VCT.
In terms of what we'd expect, however, is this a $25 blend? We have to say that, at least on our set-up (and your experience may be different), we feel that this blend could boast a bit more complexity or a bit different profile for the price tag. What is unique about this blend is that it's a dry, toasty vanilla with natural accent notes. What's also a little discomforting is that ti's a dry, toasty vanilla with natural accent notes.
It's almost to say that you do have to take this E-Liquid for what is there, and enjoy it for what is there. You may not get what you expect, but the result isn't unpleasant, and for us, it's a bottle that we'll finish, no doubt about it. It is an E-Liquid that you probably can't taste from any other company.
One thing to add, however, is that for the price, you do get security - Ripe Vapes is a company that stands behind their E-Liquids, and if you receive a bottle that you just do not like, they do say they will send out a replacement or a different flavor to help you find the perfect choice for you. All in all, you're not saving any pennies by shopping with Ripe Vapes, but as far as the VCT goes, you are getting a quality that you don't often see.
And, to add, a flavor that is a little surprising and quite unique!
It's wicking very well in the EVOD 2 - there's not really any worries about this E-Liquid being too thick or syrupy, it's not. It's performing really well, no dry hits. It's an E-Liquid that really is doing it's job right, and is vaping at a really good standard as far as we're concerned. You're getting a really sound product with the VCT, and that's where this flavor walks away with a "Good News! Award"!
Check out all that Ripe Vapes has to offer here!
And stay tuned for our further reviews on their other offerings!
We're giving the other E-Liquids in their line a little more time to steep, as they seemed to perform a little unusually so far - we're also hoping to review those flavors with an RDA!
Ripe Vapes is a company that explains using locally sourced extracts and ingredients of the finest quality, creating 'Jooses' that many claim stand up to the high-caliber lines of today - and to be honest, their prices are on the highest end. One does expect a very high standard with Ripe Vapes!
It would seem that their E-Liquids are 30PG/70VG, and though not mentioned, we will go ahead an say that this line seems best for RDA's and high-end vaping.
To get to the first flavor, VCT, the scent of the 'Joose' is really delicious - we smell a deep, full-bodied vanilla, a dark, toasted sugar, and an overall scent that is very alike to Ripe Vapes description of a vanilla, custard-infused tobacco. It really has a scent that reminds you of southern, down-home vaping!
We tested this E-Liquid for quite some time on the new 'BVC' coils by Aspire, which was a product we did not ended up liking, and one that did not give this E-Liquid any justice.
Then, we switched it up and tried the VCT on the new dual-coil Kanger heads, in an EVOD 2, and we're getting a much better performance!
Right away, you do notice that, wether it's because of the set-up, or wether today's E-Liquid still isn't to the notch we prefer, that the 'Joose' isn't as complex as one might expect.
With a soft, gentle drag, we get a fluffy vanilla that really recalls a good batch of Johnson Creek's Vanda - that is, when you get a good batch of the Vanda.. We've had a bad batch of the Vanda, and right away, you notice that Ripe Vape's take on this is to the exact standard Johnson Creek only try for.
However, the vanilla in the VCT is rather fluffier and softer; the custard is just not showing itself. In a custard, you really do expect moist, eggy notes that really recreate a sort of "instant pudding" experience, much like drinking a chilled nog or eating a spoonful of custard. We're just not getting that note here, and the texture is quite a drier, almost powdered, deep vanilla.
Now, here's where things get a little interesting. This 'Joose' changes a good bit depending on your draw type. If you do a soft, gentle draw, you really get that fluffy vanilla that almost tastes a little cottony in a way. If you do a strong inhale, however, you get a different profile - one of a darkened, toasted, dry sugar that stands out as what is meant to be the 'tobacco' here.
That's not to say these layers are incredibly distinct - this is a liquid where the elements come together and create more of a unique flavor entirely. It may present more complexity on an RDA, but on the EVOD 2 with the dual-coils, this is really what we're getting, and it is quite nice. With this bottle being 18mg, we also believe it's helping the 'tobacco' stand out a little more than it would.
Overall, a great way to describe this E-Liquid is that there's a picture on Ripe Vapes' website (in their moving banner) that shows a bottle of VCT nestled in a bouqet of tobacco grounds, a few dried, cotton-ball blossoms, a few brown leaves, and an overall woodsy backdrop. The elements you see in that photo really represent this E-Liquid quite strikingly, as we'd describe this flavor as sort of a fluffy, darkened vanilla with sweet, subtle brown notes, and an overall cottony sort of texture and taste.
It really presents a drier, toastier vanilla blend.
What we will say is that we'd have hoped for a few moister notes in the blend for a custard layer, a real eggy pressence, and possibly a bit stronger notes as far as the tobacco shines in this blend (which seems to be more of a toasted, darkened sugar extract). What we'll also say is this is simply not a flavor that we've experienced from any cheap brands or B&M lines. It has a flavor that we just haven't had before, and seems to be well-blended to the point that it has no artificial tastes, no wonky flavorings, and it really shines as a blend that is on the top-tier scale.
It is indeed hard to compare this one to anything else!
This is where we get to the price. Ripe Vapes prices are at $25 per 30ml. Quite on the high end. Does the VCT stack up to that price? It's hard to say.
As an E-Liquid, this is one of the better flavors we've come across, and that is saying a lot. In those terms, we'd pay $25 any day for an E-Liquid we knew had a good standard about the blend, something we can indeed vape an entire bottle and feel "full" about the purchase. We feel this way about VCT.
In terms of what we'd expect, however, is this a $25 blend? We have to say that, at least on our set-up (and your experience may be different), we feel that this blend could boast a bit more complexity or a bit different profile for the price tag. What is unique about this blend is that it's a dry, toasty vanilla with natural accent notes. What's also a little discomforting is that ti's a dry, toasty vanilla with natural accent notes.
It's almost to say that you do have to take this E-Liquid for what is there, and enjoy it for what is there. You may not get what you expect, but the result isn't unpleasant, and for us, it's a bottle that we'll finish, no doubt about it. It is an E-Liquid that you probably can't taste from any other company.
One thing to add, however, is that for the price, you do get security - Ripe Vapes is a company that stands behind their E-Liquids, and if you receive a bottle that you just do not like, they do say they will send out a replacement or a different flavor to help you find the perfect choice for you. All in all, you're not saving any pennies by shopping with Ripe Vapes, but as far as the VCT goes, you are getting a quality that you don't often see.
And, to add, a flavor that is a little surprising and quite unique!
It's wicking very well in the EVOD 2 - there's not really any worries about this E-Liquid being too thick or syrupy, it's not. It's performing really well, no dry hits. It's an E-Liquid that really is doing it's job right, and is vaping at a really good standard as far as we're concerned. You're getting a really sound product with the VCT, and that's where this flavor walks away with a "Good News! Award"!
Check out all that Ripe Vapes has to offer here!
And stay tuned for our further reviews on their other offerings!