Before we talk about anything else, let me just first apologize to those of you who made enormous bottles of my first version. It wasn't quite there. I thought I was close but I got too excited and decided to call it knowing I was still missing something. On the bright side - I've got it. I've got Shurb.
So after my last version, I was pretty happy at first. But the more I puffed away the more I realized it was too harsh. It wasn't dark, smooth, and creamy. It was bright and fruity and harsh. I was missing a key ingredient still and I had no idea where to even begin. My only thought was the citrus, but it turns out I was looking in the wrong place.
About a week ago I was getting about halfway through a fresh 120ml of Shurb when it finally came to me. Months and months of work - research all over the net, piles of money thrown at flavorings, and nearly tearing out my hair.. I finally knew what I was tasting.
You know that "subtle" flavor you get in Shurb? That one that everybody says is so familiar but nobody seems to be able to recognize? I realized that it tastes just like Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum. And you know what that's supposed to taste like?
Tutti fuckin' frutti.
- 1% FA Blenderize (Tutti Frutti)
- 4% TFA Cotton Candy
- 4% TFA Whipped Cream
- 2.5% FA Mandarin
- 4% CAP Harvest Berry
- 1.5% TFA Vanilla Swirl
No steeping required, though a day or two will really help it out. Otherwise, shake until it turns white and your arm becomes a noodle and then enjoy the smooth, dark, enigma that is Shurb.
So let's break it down.. again.
FA Blenderize (Tutti Frutti)
- This was the secret ingredient that we were all missing. Everybody talks about this "subtle" taste in Shurb that they 100% recognize.. and yet they can't recall what it is. And this is it. Tutti Frutti. It provides the weird fruity background that can't be placed, the creamyness, everything. It isn't subtle like we thought - it makes Shurb what it is. Without it, this isn't Shurb. At all. This flavoring is fairly flexible and can be increased or decreased to add more sweetness and creamyness. Be careful going over 3 or 4% though as it will completely take over the juice.
TFA Cotton Candy
- Of course we need our mass amounts of EM. I kept it at 4% here because any higher just turned the juice in to a coil-fucking mess that tasted like burned sugar half the time. My bet is the Tutti Frutti also has a lot of EM in it. Tasting it alone confirms. It's extremely sweet. 4% feels like just the right amount.
TFA Whipped Cream
- Provides a bit of extra creaminess and smooths out the harshness of our citrus thanks to the magic of triacetin - tons of it in this flavor. Same thing in TFA Smooth. Without this, the Mandarin is far too sharp and the alcohol taste of it really comes through too much.
FA Mandarin
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The percentage was hard to get down. High amounts made me go "hey this is perfect!" but then the juice became waxy, alcoholy, and just gross. Too low and it added nothing. 2.5% seems like the best amount here. You can still taste it, but it doesn't overtake anything. It blends. Just like all the ingredients here blend. Shake this shit well before you use it by the way. If you don't it ends up too strong.
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Though I don't plan to change this recipe too much, this may be one of the things I change. FA Mandarin works, but I'm waiting on an order of TFA Orange Mandarin to test since I ran out. I think that Orange Mandarin is sweeter and may work better.
CAP Harvest Berry
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Yep, still our winner here in the berry department. This same recipe doesn't work with FA Raspberry (too strong and gummy), INW Raspberry (too realistic), etc. This is the berry we need. It adds a good mix of raspberry and several other things that add to the "blended" smooth taste. This percentage is flexible and can be increased or decreased some to suit your taste.
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Again, I don't plan to change this recipe much but this is something I'm also looking in to here and there now. While I do believe Harvest Berry is in the juice, I think there may be another fruit - possibly a standalone raspberry. I still have no idea which it could be considering every one I've tried has been way off. But we'll see.
TFA Vanilla Swirl
- Once I got Tutti Frutti in I actually kept leaving this out because I decided it was unecessary. I was wrong. After about 20 batches with the Tutti Frutti I realized that a bit more cream was needed - this did the trick perfectly. 1.5% seems perfect to me. Adds a little more sweetness, a little more creamyness, and a little bit of fluffy marshmallow texture.
Again, I just want to thank everyone who took interest in this project of mine. I am finally proud to say that after all of my work, I'm actually 100% pleased with this result. The only thing I could see myself doing in the future is some percentage tweaks - all of the ingredients here taste spot-on to me and I'm very, very happy with it. I think you all will be too.
So this is it folks, the insanity is over. Much love to you all and I hope you enjoyed the journey with me.
And remember - feedback is very welcome.
EDIT As always. I am still going to be testing more versions of this. Currently I'm looking in to TFA Tutti Frutti (though I'm 90% sure FA is the correct one), TFA Orange Mandarin, TFA Raspberry, and a few other things. There will likely be a version 3 at some point though I refuse to post it until it is absolutely spot-on perfect. Don't expect it for a while.
Amazing. I just put in an order from FA last friday, came yesterday. My random pick up of this order was..... TUTTI FRUTTI!!
What site throws freebies?
diy-ejuice gives a free random flavour based on your order history. Last time I ordered they gave me Wild Melon (FLV) and was very pleased.
I think it's a smart idea because someone may find a flavour they may really like. There are way to many flavours to choose from and it can be very overwhelming for most.
I really fucking need to follow through with things sometimes...
Well done sir! I actually have Tutti Fruity and will give this a whirl!
Damn you were ahead of the curve. I never saw a single mention of Tutti Frutti as a possibility but I don't have access to jackser's super secret sub. Big props to you then man :)
Let me know how you like it. I'm sure the percentages could be tweaked more and I'm still going to be doing a v3 but that won't be until it is absolutely perfect, so it'll be a while.
So....version 3 in two weeks?!?!
Congrats dude! Don't get vaper's tongue from sucking down 60mL per day.
Yep! I'm just gonna refer to it as version 2 to feel better about myself though.
And don't worry, I suck down practically 60ml of the real one a day so I think I'll be alright :)
Oh ffs. My flavor order for the last version arrives tomorrow. Now I need to place a single order of tutti fuckin frutti. lol...
Thanks for the recipe . If you want a Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum clone , i mean an exact clone the only flavor that is identical to that is Capella's Bubble Gum (juicy fruit pic) on outside of bottle.
I have big bottles of FA Tutti Frutti , TPA's Juicy Fruit and FlavorWest's Juicy Fruit versions and they all are very close to hitting the original Juicy Fruit but the only one that hits it dead on is the Capella's .
Anyways doesn't matter , looking forward to trying this so thanks.
Well damn. Should I check back next month? And I just ordered lemon lime...son of a Blenderize!
On the bright side, CAP Lemon Lime is pretty damn good. Just not what we needed. I'm still trying to figure out if there is some sort of lime in there but I've yet to find one that really works. We'll see.
And as far as checking back, there will be a v3 eventually but I wouldn't expect it for a while. That'll be my "I'm 99% sure this is the actual recipe".
Sounds delicious. I never tried the original, but this looks great. I have been lurking your progress on this clone for a while now, kudos to finally getting it to where you're happy. I need Tutti Fruitti and the mandarin to make this, and I'm just gonna pick up both orange flavors you recommended to try out both in small batches. Very hyped to mix this up. Cheers!
Amazing! I actually have ALL of the flavors in this recipe! Just mixed it up, and my first impression after a shake and vape is: good, but seems a bit muted (though that may be because I dabbed a drop of tutti frutti on my finger and licked it before mixing). I've never tried Shurb, but I was expecting a crisp rainbow sherbet. I was a bit worried about the high percentages of Cotton Candy and Harvest Berry, but they are nicely blended in with the Mandarin and Tutti Frutti. I'm gonna let this one sit for a bit, and I'm hoping the Berry and Mandarin will pop out more in a few days.
I've really enjoyed these threads on cloning shurb even though I've never had it. I probably took a little too much pleasure from your seeming descent into madness while attempting it.
Because I am a sadist I've got to ask, do you plan on sending this and/or your v3 out for GCMS? It's the only way to be sure. :)
Keep up the good work, guy.
Actually yes! I don't think it's time yet, but as soon as I get to the point where I'm 100% sure what I have is spot-on then I do plan to send it over to Linda at TPA.
Sounds good. My supplier is out of FA Tutti Fruity atm, so have ordered some FW, TFA/TPA and some Chefs Choice.
Will make some small batches when they come in and report back.
OK, 3 small 10ml batches made - all identical (ish +/- 0.05g) to mr Cannibal's recipe above, except for the 1% Tutti Frutti by manufacturer, 1 from TFA, 1 from Chefs Choice, 1 from Flavour West. Compared vs each other and vs JTJM Original and vs Cannibal v1 (now a week old)
Immediate notes.
Smell
- JTJM - Mmmm - thats why we're here.
- CanV1 - Lighter, Effervescent, like the CO2 in lemonade
- TFA - Boiled Sweet / Hard Candy smell. Very similar to JTJM. Switching between this and JTJM makes me think JTJM has a slightly different orange.
- CC - Damn, thats 7-up. Nothing else.
- FW - Weak, flat, not much I can identify here.
Raw taste on finger
- JTJM - Warm - Sweet - That thing that we all know but cant identify.
- CanV1 - Lighter - lemony.
- TFA - Warm, Sweet - Really similar to JTJM, Tutti Frutti is bolder - more like the sweets.
- CC - Lighter - more like 7up
- FW - Warm - not quite as warm as JTJM, Peppery. Tutti Frutti-ness is closer to JTJM, but too harsh and peppery.
Vape
After a couple of hours break due to a wrecked tongue.
- TFA - Seems flat, Cant taste much Here. (Maybe over flavoured? - maybe needs to settle a day or 2?)
- CC - I think I prefer the taste of this one, but still muted.
- FW - Also flat at present.
I think it will benefit me leaving this till tomorrow before re-tasting.
I have to commend you on this. Version 1 is great I've been vaping it for days. You're right it was missing a lil' something something but DAMN was version 1 close. I'm excited to say I've had blenderize for about 3 months now and haven't used it once, I can't fucking wait to get home now. Good on ya!
SO glad I didn't put in an order for the one ingredient I was missing in your last mix (FA Mandarin), because I just now put in an order for that and the other ingredient I was missing for this mix! (FA Blenderize)
Now, for the love of god, pls, stahp. My budget begs you!
Sitting on 300ml of harsh-ass-juice; another order to ecigxpress!
I wouldn't call it harsh. I've been on it all day and I'm really enjoying it. Tutti frutti can wait for my next order, I'm happy with the v1.
Anybody know where to get FA tutti fruity with reasonable shipping? Gremlin diy doesn't have it and bull city and ECX shipping costs are pretty high.
Wait what happened to the cap lemon lime??
Yeah, didn't make the cut. It was really throwing off my last attempt. I believe there is still a citrus missing but I've yet to find anything viable.
Yes!!! I just comparatively smelled the real deal in 6mg vs a freshly mixed v2 and there is this slight acidic note the real deal seems to have but fuck if I know where to start with that. It is so so so close. Would it maybe be a little key lime or something?
Personally I agree with /u/botboy141 in saying that there is no actual lime in Shurb. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like the lime taste is just some molecule from another flavoring.
I do notice the missing acidic note. That's why I'm still researching - thats the last thing I need to find before I'll be 100% done.
Have you tried TFA Citrus Punch in your past experiments? Maybe check the Component sheet vs the GC/MS sheet and see if the molecules are there.
I've thought about it in the past but it contains linalool which the analysis didn't show. I realize now that the analysis isn't absolutely perfect so who knows, it could still be there. I'll try it out in a bit here, it always did have a familiar smell to it.
I'm still missing CAP Harvest Berry. Will pick it up and report back though! Thanks for continuing to pursue this. I realized ages ago my palette was simply too clumsy.
My palette is pretty clumsy, but I'd blame it on the juice more than anything. Like I said, everything just sort of blends together and things are hard to pick out in Shurb. And it wasn't until now that I realized that was all because of the damn tutti frutti.
Does anyone know if FA Forest Fruit can substitute for CAP Harvest Berry?
Harvest Berry is out of stock on BCV, but I've got Forest Fruit at home.
Tutti frutti. Wow. It sounds ridiculous but, now that you've pointed it out, it's so obviously present. I've been holding on to my last 10 ml of Shurb so I can compare it to your recipe when my supplies arrive but I had to drip some tonight to see for myself. Excellent work.
/u/captaincannibal So, I've made this recipe up and I'm going to give you my 100% honest answer.
This is not closer than the previous recipe last week. FA Blenderize is not in Shurb - As you've said yourself, I also go through 120ml bottle a month of Shurb. On a side note, this is a bloody nice vape mind - But it's not Shurb - Last weeks was closer, in terms of the Shurb taste. This tastes very gummy, very chewing gum (but still nice).
Please dont take this as "hate mail" because I totally respect what you're doing and the time/money you're putting into it. I just feel last weeks recipe (with the Lemon/Lime) was closer.
I've made up 100ml of this stuff and I will be vaping it. Its bloody nice!
No I definitely don't consider it hatemail. I was hoping somebody would give some good feedback and I appreciate this.
I'm starting to notice that FA Tutti Frutti just shines through too much no matter what I do, but I swear to god there is a tutti frutti flavor in here. I've got TFA's on the way as well to test that.
The FA Tutti Frutti adds so many properties that Shurb has to this juice.. but the bubblegum note is just too overpowering I guess.
There's not a plethora of gum type flavors out there, let alone Juicy Fruit types. You could also look into CAP Bubblegum. I don't think any of the Fruit Stripe gum flavors are present (Rainbow line, etc)
> hatemail. I was hoping somebody would give some good feedback and I appreciate this. > I'm starting to notice that FA Tutti Frutti just shines through too much no matter what I do, but I swear to god there is a tutti frutti flavor in here. I've got TFA's on the way as well to test that. > The FA Tutti Frutti adds so many properties that Shurb has to this juice.. but the bubblegum note is just too overpowering I guess.
"The FA Tutti Frutti adds so many properties that Shurb has to this juice.. but the bubblegum note is just too overpowering I guess" Nail on the head - This Tutti Frutti has an almost floral taste to it (as does Shurb), but the overpowering bubblegum just takes over! Looking forward to hearing your findings. Stick at it mate. You're very close.
I tried adding a tiny amount of the strongest citrus I have, INW citrus mix. It retains the sparkle provided by the FA TF but overpowers the gum taste completely.
Unfortunately It also tastes a lot less like shurb... but my thinking is that there is maybe something else in there that subtly removes the gum taste but adds the raspberry thats missing?
To be honest, I mixed this up after getting tutti frutti in the mail and the bubblegum flavor is a little offputting, it feels sort of flat. Your Shurb1 is probably going to be an ADV for me for quite a while; it's so bright and fruity and amazing. That CAP Lemon Lime really makes it pop. However, this is coming from somebody that's never tried actual Shurb before. I really love the work you've put into this though!
first of all /u/captaincannibal good job, recipe looks good although I havnt mixed it yet.
Just received a bottle in the mail today after trying to find for a long time after all the hype around here, and the hype is sooo legit. Shurb is bomb!
Ya'll may think I'm crazy, and I dont post a lot but am always here..... I'm pretty sure I know an ingredient in this that your missing as I use it ALOT.
FW Salt water taffy!
Im not an expert like some here, but I'm almost 100%.If it isnt that, I'm also tasting FW Razzleberry but that could be just me. Give it a go...I hope thats what gets it to 100% for you bro!
So I made this yesterday and the throat hit was crazy at 70/30. I had made another 81/19 batch and it was still really harsh. Does this calm down after a few days?
It sort of does. That's an issue I'm still working out for v3.. I can't figure out why the throat hit is always so harsh. I want to say its the FA Mandarin but it doesn't seem to be.. I'm working on v3 right now and the throat hit is siginificantly less harsh. Expect to hear about it sometime this week hopefully.
I mixed up v1 and v2 and let them sit for a couple days, and then sat down to compare them all plus actual shurb side by side on fresh wicks. Some random thoughts I had...
- Shurb to me is just melted orange sherbet... I taste two different "types" of orange in the real stuff. A "sharp" type like orange rind and a "bright" type like orange juice. I think the mandarin covers the rind part... maybe we need to find a brighter orange to add to round it out?
- Tutti frutti definitely belongs there, although it feels like it's a little too powerful at its current %. Definitely got us closer.
- Removing the lemon lime might have got us a little further away though. It brings something to the party... I'm not sure what... it could just be the citrus.
- On that note, store bought orange sherbet has citric acid as an ingredient... maybe it's something to experiment with?
- It might actually need more EM. v1 was a bit harsh, v2 was very harsh to me... I put a single drop of 10% em on the coil itself and it suddenly took on that "everything is mellowed out and mushed together" aspect of shurb.
When I was comparing the smells there's something present in Shurb not in the others. At first I thought it was a pronounced vanilla bean but as I kept going back it could also be something baked... like a trace amount of FA Cookie? Anyway, I'm going to pick up a few things and experiment a bit myself. I can totally see how trying to deconstruct this flavor is a pathway to madness.
I kinda feel like this one is missing a bit of Lemon, or cap Lemon Lime.
Agreed. v3 is still in the works. Honestly this version is pretty much a red headed step child to me now. Looking back the FA Tutti Frutti was not at all the correct answer here and I'm ashamed to admit that.
But again, v3 is being working on. I have no idea when it'll be ready. I have a habit of posting these versions and then hating them five minutes after I post them so I'm trying to nail it 100% before I post again.
Also, adding some Lemon Lime to this makes it pretty good. I recommend maybe 2-3%.
Going to add 3% Cap Lemon Lime to this exact recipe here I made earlier and give it a quick shakeroni and see how that goes. Not really liking the after taste of the tutti frutti, maybe needed to use even less of a percentage of it just to get a really small hint of it in the background, it's quite a powerful flavor, though I haven't let it steep it's just been shaken.
Yeah therein lies the issue.. even at small percentages the Tutti Frutti still is straight bubblegum and overpowers everything. It's a pain in the ass. I need to quit drinking with my meds and then mixing lmao. No idea what I was thinking with this one.
I've tried TFA Tutti Frutti as well, not any better. So Tutti Frutti is out all together in v3.
Anything in the pipeline u/captaincannibal Still rooting for you bro! 😬😀
Appreciate your interest! Still working on it but not really getting any closer yet. Had to take a break at the moment and mess with some other stuff. I'll have something new up soon I hope.
Definitely haven't given up, don't worry.