7/8/16 - This is the revised version, and thanks to CheebaSteeba for recommending FA Aurora. If you don't already have it on hand, mix it without it, then add it to your wish list when you find yourself seduced, which I think you will. It adds something really spectacular.
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Recommended Base: 70/30 VG/PG
Steep Time: 1 WEEK MINIMUM for the mint & absinthe to calm the hell down.
I really, REALLY can't explain what's going on here. I've never experienced a vape like this, and, while I have really odd tastes, I feel like this could be an ADV for more people than just me.
It's fruity, but, not in any way I can explain or define. It's a rich, dark, pulpy mash of berries tempered by the spicy, herbaceous touch of absinthe. No one particular berry stands out, and while I'm sure I could bring up the blackcurrant (and WANT to increase the raspberry), I'm actually hesitant to do so, because this already feels so perfectly balanced as it is.
The absinthe, cactus and mint all play in perfect harmony to cool, moisten and "mature" the berries, for lack of a better word. You don't taste the mint at all at these percentages, in fact. It's just the exact right amount needed to keep it all very fresh.
This is by no means a sticky-sweet fruit vape, and I'm finding it goes really well with cocktails. It's bold and complicated, yet doesn't blow out your tastebuds. Very interesting and refreshing.
I hope you love it as much as I do.
At shake-n-vape stage I'm getting mostly the mint, but I assume that may calm down as it steeps. That stuff is surprisingly strong! I think the berry blend in here is really nice and there's just this subtle undertone of absinthe -- I really hope it becomes more noticeable after a steep. It's funny, I don't really notice the cactus but I can see it giving a more juicy aspect to the berries and lifting them up a bit.
Overall, so far I'm quite pleased with this; will be tough to let it steep. Congrats on making the first mint/menthol forward vape I've thoroughly enjoyed.
As a side note, I started switch vaping between The Glaistig and my FA Aurora tester to confirm my guess if it would work well in here, and from what I can tell it definitely does. If you make more cocktail mixes like this I think you would enjoy this flavoring.
I will be sure to provide additional notes after the recommended steep.