*NEW E-LIQUID REVIEW* Digby's Strawberries & Cream

Another massive thank you to Digby's for sending this amazing new flavour for me to review!

Digby's and I go way back – DMC was my first ever vanilla custard flavour, and it still sits comfortably within my top eliquids of all time. So when I was contacted and informed about this latest flavour from them, I knew it was going to be something special.

Strawberries & Cream is a notoriously intricate flavour profile to execute, and many that I have tried previously came across as artificial or overly sweet, therefore masking the overall taste.

But, when I finally chucked some fresh batteries in my mod, and re wicked my RDA, I was ready. This eliquid boasts decadent and rich strawberry notes that is then layered with a sumptuous and all encapsulating creaminess. Out of the thousands (yes, really!) of flavours I have tried over the last 6 years or so, I felt that this flavour in particular had an unmatched smoothness to it, unlike any I have had before. Despite the sweet notes, I didn't find it to be sickly – therefore giving this eliquid a definitive edge as an all day vape. I also found that it was rather forgiving on my coils, another fantastic reason to choose this eliquid.

Digby's Strawberries & Cream comes as a 70% VG, and therefore is an ideal choice for sub-ohm users and/or cloud chasers that also like full on flavours.

As an overall conclusion, I was incredibly impressed by yet another hit from Digby's and would highly recommend it to fans of dessert flavoured vapes.

TOP OF THE VAPES MARCH 2021

Wow! It really has been a long time since I did my last ‘Top of the Vapes’ entry. Things have changed in some ways, and very much stayed the same in others.

Vaping is racing ever forward, and at the time of writing this, I feel that high(er) wattage pod/mod systems are the latest craze in the vape world.

Devices such as the Voopoo Drag X, Smok RPM 160 as well as the Ursa Quest 100w kit from Lost Vape, have boldly carved their own space in the current vape market.

In light of this new hype, I will try to include one of these style of kits in this instalment of ‘Top of the Vapes’

ELIQUID (NIC SALT)

PINK LEMONADE BY ECIGR8

ELIQUID (FREEBASE NICOTINE)

H20 BERRY BY TAFFY MAN

POD SYSTEM

LOST VAPE ORION PLUS

REBUILDABLE 

ATMIZOO DOTSHELL RBA FOR THE DOTAIO

HIGH WATTAGE ‘POD MOD’

ARTERY NUGETT 200W

HONOURABLE MENTION

SQUID INDUSTRIES SQUAD KIT

 

*NEW E-LIQUID REVIEW* Carousel Salts by Innevape Labs

Over the past year or so, I have found myself gravitating more and more towards MTL/Pod set ups. Due to this, I’ve drastically reduced my juice consumption and now tend to go for 50/50 VG/PG nicotine salt options.

Up until about 2019, nic salts were pretty much uncharted territory for me. I had noticed the rapid growth of this new innovation, and wanted to jump on the bandwagon.

Nicotine salt eliquids offered me an ideal solution that involved discreet cloud production and no need to puff endlessly trying to get that ever important nicotine hit.

So, for my typical, high wattage, high VG eliquids, I am very much a fan of dessert flavours. Following this logic, my first few nic salt choices were also based on desserts, but for some reason in MTL set ups, they just didn’t work for me.

I soon fell in love with anything fruity or candy based, so it was natural that when I discovered Carousel, I had to give it a go.

Described as a ‘Mystery Cotton Candy’ flavour - it is just that! A difficult to discern but incredible elaboration on a typical candy floss flavour. There is a variety of tropical fruit notes, including something I can best describe as a sweet pineapple. These complexities only improve the overall flavour in my opinion, and I never felt it to be dull or tedious. Flavour is carried well when using MTL devices, and the hit is smooth and satisfying. Since finding this eliquid, I have yet to come across such a well rounded and intricate candy based flavour.

In the UK, Carousel is available in short fill form, as well as 10ml bottles that are 10mg/20mg nicotine salt.

Abroad, it can also be found in 30ml 24mg/50mg variations.

Price wise, 10ml is usually sold for £5, however some quick web searching will bring up lower prices as well as multi-buy deals.

Still one of my ‘go tos’ when it comes to nic salts, I only wish it was available in bigger bottles!

*NEW HARDWARE REVIEW* Squad Kit by Squid Industries

SPECS:

Size: 45.5 x 20.5 x 86mm

Wattage: 5-30W

Working Mode: VW

Battery Type: Built-in 1300mAh

Display: OLED Screen

Atomizer Type: 2ml Refillable Metal Atomizer with 0.6ohm mesh coil; 2ml Disposable Pod with a built-in coil (sold separately) and RTA Atomizer (also sold separately)

Following a somewhat obsessive amount of research as well as learning the opinions from my favourite YouTube reviewers, I decided to go ahead and purchase this stunning kit from Squid Industries. After having previous experience with the original Double Barrel, also from Squid Industries, I certainly had high hopes for this device.

The immediate thought I had when holding this kit for the first time was its impressive weight, I felt that the hefty nature of this mod gave it an air of unparalleled quality.

This kit comes in a plethora of colours and designs, ranging from a simple black finish to multicoloured floral patterns. Size wise, the Squad is clearly on the small end, especially when compared to other devices with similar features. It fits snugly in your hand, and the curved edges just accentuate the comfort felt when holding this kit.

Somewhat of a conundrum, I would personally describe this kit as an All In One (AIO) device. It has an inbuilt 1300mAh battery that can handle roughly a day of light usage before needing to recharge.

Squid Industries has designed a 2ml tank system that is exclusive to this AIO. It is available in 3 varieties; a disposable tank, an RTA tank and a tank that takes stock coils.

The disposable tanks are ideal for new vapers, as there is no messing about with priming and installing coils, and they have been designed with ease of use in mind.

On the other end of the spectrum, the RTA version features a 2 post deck (single coil) that is a doddle to build on. Flavour can be intense but largely depends on what type of wire/coil set up you choose. I had a minor issue building such a small coil as the deck itself is tiny. When it comes to wicking, you can expect it to behave much like any other RTA on the market, too much cotton = dry hits and too little = possible risk of leakage.

The tank that incorporates stock coils features a simple fill port near the top of the tank, and coils fit tightly screwed in to the base. The pre installed coil is a 0.6ohm mesh variant, and has offered me near to a weeks worth of moderate usage, without losing flavour.

That being said, due to the long chimney, flavour can be somewhat muted. However this didn't bother me at all as I'm not one for intense flavour.

These particular coils aren't the easiest to come by, especially in brick and mortar shops. The good news is that Aspire BVC and Artery HP coils are compatible with this tank, meaning you won't be left high and dry when it comes to coil choice.

All tank options have a small, adjustable air flow ring that ranges from tight MTL to RDTL. I tend to use mine about halfway open and it gives me a warm, tight draw with the perfect amount of flavour.

These tanks are not compatible with any other device unless you use a 510 adaptor, therefore that also means that any other tanks will not work with this device.

Overall I found that all tank options had slightly reduced flavour, but did deliver a warm and powerful hit.

This device has a wattage range of 5W-30W and I stick to about the 20W mark when using the 0.6ohm coil. Although 30W may seem very low when compared to big, dual 18650, 200W mods, I felt it was plenty enough for the style of vaping that this kit offers.

Despite its tiny size, this device manages to feature an OLED screen that displays wattage, ohms, voltage, amps and a battery life indicator. Nice and simple!

The price point is rather unclear, depending on where you look, it can be anywhere from £19.99 to £50. I (obviously) went for the £19.99 one, so in my case it was well worth the money. However, I don't know if I could justify spending much more than about £30 for this kit – even though I had a largely positive experience with it.

In summary, I was pleasantly taken aback by the performance of this unassuming little kit. The whole set up was easy to navigate and I really liked the choice of atomisers that you can use. The diluted flavour for me was a massive plus, as I don't consider myself much of a flavour chaser. The ergonomics of this device were flawless and the substantial weight of it was satisfying to say the least. When it comes to pricing, I think that £19.99 is well worth it. I found that this device is able to cater to all levels of vapers, whether you are in to disposable tanks or building your own coils.

PROS

• Robust, high quality feel

• Atomiser styles suited for all types of vapers

CONS

• None

*NEW E-LIQUID REVIEW* Digbys Custard Cream, Yet another delicious creation!

Big thanks to Digbys for supplying this eLiquid for the purpose of my review!

In terms of eLiquid manufacturers, Digbys has to be one of my longstanding favourites. The artisan feel to the overall design gives the eLiquids an air of effortless sophistication.

In keeping with the aesthetically pleasing exterior, Digbys eLiquids have been consistent in creating unique and well-designed flavours.

I have been lucky enough to have tried the vast majority of their eLiquids over the years, and my favourite would certainly be 'DMC', a decadent vanilla custard.

So when I found out that Digbys would be creating a custard cream inspired flavour, I felt the same touch of eager anticipation that I had when I first discovered 'DMC'.

Custard Cream is a brand new addition to the Digbys family, and it retains the smooth vanilla and wholesome cream notes found with DMC, as well as the perfect amount of sweetness. I find that there are far too many sub-par custard based flavours out there that taste both artificial and extremely sweet, to the point of them being sickly - but Custard Cream is not one of them!

On a standard sub-ohm tank, the overall flavour is a little subdued. I could pick up on a smooth, light vanilla, and the slightest touch of biscuit. However, I found that when using an RDA, the flavour was vastly amplified. The notes of vanilla cream were still there, but now a crumbly buttery biscuit flavour was becoming more prominent. 

I thought that the biscuit elements worked alongside the original custard notes really well. They brought a slight savoury feel that gave a solid base to allow the cream notes to really flourish.

Custard Cream is available in 50ml TPD compliant short fill bottles and comes in a 65:35 VG:PG ratio, so is suitable for sub ohm setups, including RBAs.

Overall, it goes without saying, that I thoroughly enjoyed this well excecuted flavour from Digbys. If you are a lover of dessert based eLiquids, but NOT a fan of sickeningly sweet flavours, then you're going to want to check this one out. >>>https://www.digbysjuices.co.uk/<<<

*HARDWARE REVIEW* DotAIO by DotMod

AIOs are becoming a dime a dozen in the vape world right now, and you gotta know where to look, or else you'll become completely befuddled by the insane amount of cheap, poor quality devices that are out there.

The big OG, the Billet Box, the one that's like gold dust, maybe even trickier to procure, is pretty much where it all started in terms of true AIOs (not pod systems)

Being a big fan of the Billet Box, I was a little hesitant to make the leap and purchase my first DotAIO. Especially as it had been colloquially and rather boldly hailed as the 'Billet Box Killer'. But boy, despite my initial doubts, I gave it a go! And for me, I feel that the DotAIO has completely obliterated the Billet Box!

DotMod have steadily gained a reputation as a company that takes the time to perfect a device before launching.

In terms of vaping creations, DotMod has hit the nail on the head every time. The incredible feeling of quality is overwhelmingly obvious, and you can be sure to notice the simple yet elegant finish to each and every device.

With the sheer level of quality and craftsmanship, DotMod set-ups are a little on the pricey side, but, in my starstruck eyes, they are certainly worth every penny.

I am lucky enough to own a couple DotMod devices, including the uber-popular DotAIO, of which I will be reviewing today.

My reviews have been, and will always be my own personal opinion. But I think everyone should love the DotAIO >.<

This kit measures in at just 78mm*43mm*22.5mm, a relatively average size for most AIOs. It takes a single 18650 to run (always practice battery safety!), offers quick charge via USB-C and has 4 power settings.

The cost of this device runs from about £60 with limited releases going as high as the £250+ mark.

When it comes to aesthetics, the DotAIO blows it out of the water! The colours and finishes that DotMod have created definitely give this device an air of luxury. It comes in a plethora of stunning colours, and a few limited edition colours too! Some of the more popular colours are matte black, red, gold, royal blue and Tiffany Blue. Depending on where you look, there will be a choice for everyone.

The majority of DotAIOs have subtle gold accents on the buttons and a DotMod logo.

This kit features removable panels that are usually held in place by small magnets, allowing users to clean or swap panels to different colours and materials, opening a world of endless customisations.

The DotAIO maintains a sense of refinement and satisfaction when held. The size of the device is rather smaller than the Billet Box, but this serves as a bonus for me, as I prefer the more delicate and dainty stature of the DotAIO.

One gripe I have with the ergonomics of this kit is that it is rather boxy. There is a slight ( and I mean slight) curve on the top and bottom. The rest has sharp lines and edges that I feel takes away from the overall look and feel to this mod.

In stark contrast with the Billet Box, and many other AIOs, the DotAIO does NOT have a display screen. DotMod has taken simplicity to a whole new level, and only requires users to choose from 4 power strengths; very soft, soft, medium and strong. This is done by pressing a small button near the bottom of the device, beneath the fire button. With no screen to display info on, the fire button has a backlight that will show different colours and combinations to indicate battery level, power level, errors and dry burn protection.

The TPD compliant tank holds 2ml of eliquid and has a pretty standard adjustable airflow ring. I really like how easy it is to remove, especially in comparison to the Boro tanks in Billet Boxes that require you to unscrew the drip tip ring.

The drip tips that you receive in the box offer vapers a fairly diverse choice. The first one (that will be installed in the device as standard) is a curved, almost tapered shape and is a gorgeous, shiny gold. This tip allows an airier inhale and for me, it was ideal for a true DTL.

The second drip tip is far narrower and crafted out of ultem, therefore a similar colour scheme as the gold accents on the DotAIO. This tip is perfect for restricted DTL, and gives a warmer inhale.

The DotAIO works with a selection of stock coils, including both DotMod and Aspire Nautilus coils (you will need the adapter that comes with the device to use Aspire coils) Flavour very much depends on what coils you are using, but I found that the DotMod 0.3 coils produced the most satisfying and flavoursome hit. There are also several RBA options, including my personal favourite, the Atmizoo DotShell.

The DotShell really makes this device stand above the crowd, and I will aim to get a review of it up shortly.

It goes without saying, that the DotAIO can handle pretty much any eliquid that is thrown in there. My preference would be 20mg/ml 50/50 nic salts, but there's nothing stopping you from putting high VG, low nic eliquids in there (although I'd recommend using an RBA deck for thicker liquids)

Battery life is decent, and a full charge lasts me about a day of moderate usage.

PROS

High quality construction

Lots of options for coils

Easy to customise

Easy to remove the tank/pod

Simple design

CONS

A little on the expensive side

I would like to have a display screen

Overall, I would highly recommend this kit. Admittedly, it is a little pricey, but I feel it's far more worth it to purchase one decent AIO rather than a bunch of poor quality, poor performance devices.

peace xx

An old favourite, with NEW flavours *NEW E-LIQUID REVIEW*

Big thanks to Digbys for kindly sending me these flavours for the purpose of this review

You can check out their site for all the latest flavours  https://www.digbysjuices.co.uk/

As you may or may not know, Digbys' DMC, was one of my first ever favourite flavours, back when I had just transitioned from an ego style set up, to a sub-ohm kit. It was a deliciously rich vanilla bean custard, so when I was approached and asked if I wanted to review their new limited edition Christmas flavour, I agreed straight away.

When I received my package, they had kindly included two more flavours for me to try.

Black Moriya

An intense, revitalising flavour, Moriya is sure to clear your sinuses.   Even when opening the bottle, a blast of sharp, icy and refreshing menthol meets your nostrils.  

When it comes to actually vaping this liquid, I found the menthol notes to be a little more subdued than the scent suggested, yet still rather noticeable.

After the initial hit of menthol, a rich and juicy blackcurrant becomes apparent that not only compliments the menthol tones but perfectly encompasses them.

Mostly, I enjoyed this flavour, however, I still felt that the menthol was still a little strong. Having said that, this review is completely subjective, and those of you who prefer menthol based eliquids will probably find that they thoroughly enjoy Black Moriya.

Oliver's Twist

This twisty concoction offers vapers a medley of ripe and full tasting flavours that are well matched to one another.   I found that this eLiquid really accentuates standard fruity elements designed to make your mouth water.  There is a wonderful mixture of sour and zesty citrus fruits and a rather milder touch of a sweet berry, that all combine to create a well rounded and complex flavour.

I thought that the obvious lack of icy or mentholated additives actually made me enjoy this eLiquid more than if it had a cool edge to it.

Even without menthol, Oliver's Twist still managed to present itself as an impressively refreshing set of flavours.

And the Pièce de Résistance...

Red Bread

As the name suggests, this stunner of a flavour is a festive favourite for so many of us. Digbys has set out to create the ultimate Christmas eLiquid, and have done brilliantly.

At first, there is an obvious and somewhat spicy gingerbread kick that tastes absolutely spot on in terms of flavour and its likeness to an actual gingerbread biscuit. It has the perfect amount of warming ginger, and subtly sweet, crumbly biscuit. As I exhaled, there was a smooth, creamy vanilla edge that made the sharper notes a bit more well rounded. I liked the way that the two main flavours interacted with each other and the way that they were complementary in terms of taste.

Over the years, I have grown to dislike many blueberry flavoured eLiquids, mainly due to the fact that my first year as a vaper, all I would vape, was blueberry liquids. Having overdone it, I have consistently steered away from these kinds of flavours. I think that the main reasoning behind my dislike would be that many come across as harsh and artificial.

BUT! The blueberry in Red Bread is an uber-realistic take on the real deal. 

It has just enough potency to offer vapers a slight touch of something I can only describe as a sweet blueberry jam. At no point did I find this eLiquid to be too sweet nor did I find it lacking in flavour, and therefore I must say this is the perfect Christmas time vape.