So I went through single flavor testing (very glad I did so that I got to know the flavors... and found some of them kick butt on their own).
Now I've started mixing. Thought I'd share the results of my first attempts.
All juices are were made in 7ml batches, 10mg nic, and 60/40 pg/vg. All flavors are lorann flavors (except the white chocolate which I think is TPA). All mixes sat over night but other than that, no steeping done.
I've also included the ratings I give the flavors in their single mix form.
1) White chocolate cheesecake 8% white chocolate 4% cheesecake 1% strawberry kiwi Result: 8 out of 10.
On their own: white chocolate: 6.5 out of 10 cheesecake: 7.5 out of 10 strawberry kiwi: 5 out of 10
So the mix rates higher than any of the flavors on their own.
It's not perfect, but it's definitely vapable. I think in a future mix I'd bump the white chocolate up to 12%, maybe even 15%. Right now the White chocolate and the cheesecake feel like a 50/50 split (even though I have more white chocolate in there than cheesecake).
2) Apple Raspberry 10% apple 4% raspberry
Result: 9 out of 10
On their own: Apple: 7 out of 10 Raspberry: 7 out of 10
These two flavors blend seamlessly together and taste great. It tastes like snapple. In future mix I might go 15% apple and 6% raspberry (just to see if I can get the flavor a bit stronger).
3) banana cream bubble gum 5% bubble gum 10% banana cream 1% marshmellow
Result: 8 out of 10
On their own: bubble gum: 7 out of 10 banana cream: 8 out of 10
Flavors mix really well. In future mix I might make the banana cream 15% of the mix. Even though it is twice the % as bubble gum, the bubble gum is almost the dominant flavor. It tastes like juicy fruit gum though... but I'd like a bit more of a banana taste to it.
4) Creme de la menthe + english toffee 10% CDM 3% ET 1% marshmellow
Result: 6 out of 10
On their own: CDM: 8 out of 10 ET: 8 out of 10
Can't really taste the english toffee in the mix. In future mixes I think I'll keep CDM as a single flavor at around 15% with perhaps 3% sweetner (ie. marshmellow).
This mix isn't bad per say, but it's not as good as CDM was on it's own as a single flavor. Perhaps the english toffee will come out more as the flavor steeps.
So there you have it. Of the four mixes, I'd say the Apple Raspberry will be one I definitely keep making in the future.
The white chocolate and the bubble gum mixes I'll make again but definitely think they could be improved.
This reads exactly how my first few mixes went. You're on the the right track with keeping copious notes and keeping exact recipes on what to fix and try the next time you mix. (I always seem to forget.) Pretty soon you'll be hitting it spot on with your first mix with a new flavor! I might suggest next time adding acid(1%)to pop some of the fruit flavors. You'd be amazed at how much it adds. Thanks for the tips on the CDM, I bought some but have yet to mix with it yet, I can't wait now!
I have some Lorann's english toffee, too, and I've been trying to figure out a use for it but no luck so far. Any other ideas you can think of?
I find the english toffee is excellent just on its own. Doesn't even need a sweetener.
That said, I did make a butter rum and english toffee mix (5%br and 5%et).
I won't have a chance to taste it for a week or so though (all my tanks are full).
Based on the smell I don't have high hopes... I think it will good, but probably not as good as butter rum or english toffee on their own (both those flavors are excellent on their own).
What % did you use solo? I'm not @ home, but I think I came across 5-8% being suggested for it, but it seems rather strong.