Holy Vanilla’s biggest strength is it’s pure versatility. It’s a richer dark vanilla, and standalone in slightly higher than normal percentages it’s quite like a true Vanilla Ice Cream. No off buttery tones like the others. I’ll start with notes from 1%-4% which is my suggested range officially.
1% In the additive range, what you get is something similar to FA Vanilla Classic, only a bit deeper. A touch of spice like freshly cracked vanilla beans, along with the creamier vanilla notes, but very little creaminess. This makes it a great choice to boost your vanilla in an existing recipe, or just to add a little zing to your bakeries.
2% The creaminess starts to step up here, becoming somewhat milky but not dense like a heavier custard. In this range it’s able to stand up to just about anything in a mix, and will stand out against even the biggest bully flavors. That cracked bean spice flavor is still present, but it’s less a spicy note and more a deeper vanilla like a bit of vanilla extract in a glass of milk.
3% My preferred standalone usage for ages. The creaminess really takes on some serious body here. The spicy notes come back from where they were at 1% and stand right out against a dark vanilla cream. Still not at all eggy or buttery like most other vanilla creams we have available. It starts picking up some very malty tones here, not at all unpleasant though some may not care for it.
4% For the bold, this range really cranks up the vanilla and the creams are intense. I loved it at this percentage, but for me I end up getting olfactory fatigue very quickly so I’m unable to vape it at this percentage for very long, as I’m often incapable of tasting it after a few drippers full. The malty tones become more present here as well.
Holy vanilla is a forgiving steeper, and is often ready long before it’s heavy custard counterparts. 3-7 days depending on preference and it’s counterparts in a finished recipe.
My very absolute favorite usage of Holy Vanilla is with florals. For anyone who likes floral types like I do, this vanilla is bold enough to work alongside any floral flavor and stand out without taking away from your more delicate flavors. Anyone who’s spent any time trying to balance floral flavors knows it’s an incredible challenge getting consistent results when working with pairing florals. Holy Vanilla changed the way I approach florals and other delicate flavors.
In closing: Holy Vanilla - More flexible than your favorite stripper, and it doesn't sneak the last of your money out of your pocket after you visit with it. Buy it and thank /u/tranceinate later.
Edit:
Second Opinion Here by /u/Chrisdvr1
In case any of you cheapskates (like me) don't want to place an order just for this, TFA Vanilla Bourbon is pretty damn close. I do prefer HV, but when this bottle runs out then VB is close enough for me. If anyone disagrees, then /u/tranceinate can bite it:)
/bite rawr c;
HV is so good I refuse to try any other vanillas anymore. It will always be King.
If DIYFS isn't giving you kickbacks, or at least free bottles of HV, I will boycott them!
.... until I run out of HV, then the boycott ends regardless ;)
I'm late and nobody cares about me but fuck you this flavor is a must have and is one of a kind. Sure cap vcv1 can be subbed, not this.
I've heard TFA vanilla bourbon was a bit of a coil gunker. Is that true of Holy Vanilla as well?
My biggest question with this flavor is where to buy it....
Here in the US or Here in the UK
Do you know if gremlins, bullcity, or wizard labs stocks it? Edit: anyThing else from DIY FS I should pick up
No, I don't think any other rebottler/resale outlet carries it. If you're in to tobaccos their Holy Grail RY4 is really nice. Any of their creams and bakeries pretty good. Haven't delved into their fruits yet, but I've never heard anything negative so I have to assume they're at least decent.
Have you also tried Molinberry's Epic vanilla or INW Shisha Vanilla? If so, how does this vanilla compare?
I haven't tried the Molinberry Epic Vanilla, but I have tried INW Shisha Vanilla. Shisha Vanilla is quite good, but it's very different to me. I find that Shisha Vanilla has "fuller" body and mouthfeel and the vanilla itself is less dark and spicy. I prefer HV over Shisha, but I do think Shisha is very good and definitely has a place in my arsenal.
INW Shisha Vanilla = Exactly the same Vanilla in a Vanilla Coke to me. It's body/mouthful kind of reminds me of Vienna cream, but more airy, actually. Less bold/dark vanilla as well.
INW Shisha Vanilla has some of the "cake-y" properties of Holy Vanilla, and I would say that it could be a viable substitute. Molin's Epic Vanilla, while very vanilla bean-ish on the nose, is quite weak in a mix, I've found, so I haven't used it much.
I've made comment to Holy Vanilla before, and I will say it again: it's alright, but it doesn't actually scream "vanilla" to me. It's more of a cake, or vanilla cupcake. Bourbon Vanilla, Tahity Vanilla, and even Cap VCv1 is much more vanilla than Holy Vanilla, so I believe the name is a bit misleading. I've had success substituting Cap Sugar Cookie for Holy Vanilla.
It's also strange that DIYFS's French Vanilla tastes exactly the same as their Holy Vanilla -- it's just that Holy Vanilla's color is dark and French Vanilla's is a very light yellow.
You're quite certainly, absolutely positively, most definitely always welcome!
<3 you, HokusPokus
Holy Vanilla and INW Shisha Vanilla both taste like cardboard to me. CAP Vanilla Custard is a something + custard. I get some vanilla from CAP/TFA VBIC and no pepper taste.
I can't be the only one. Do I have to punch my nose while vaping or something? Inhale through nose? There has to be way.
I've not gotten around to ordering this because it's inconvenient as hell to place a separate order +shipping for one flavor. I Will someday... I'm sure.
Till then I've taken to replacing it in recipes with INW Shisha Vanilla and they all still usually taste great (assuming the recipe as a whole is good in the first place)