Vapouround magazine ISSUE 19 | Page 188

REVIEWS APPLE STRUDL YUMMY DOOH STRAWBERRY STRUDL This is perhaps the e-liquid that put PJ Empire on the map, so does this Apple Strudl live up to the hype? The top note here is a warm baked apple which carries a thick sweetness without becoming sickly. This is paired nicely with a rich confectionary cinnamon that gives a nice contrast to the mild tartness of the apple top note. The bakery elements are noticeable but do not weigh the mix down at all. Instead they bring a dense, fluffy mouthfeel to the profile and layer the apple and cinnamon notes nicely. This makes for a very convincing emulation of the dessert it’s based on and if you’re a fan of sweeter e-liquids, Apple Strudl is not to be missed. PJ Empire describe Yummy Dooh as a raspberry glazed doughnut with a strawberry filling. Doughnut e-liquids have become very popular over the years, but all too often become sickly sweet in a short space of time. Yummy Dooh is slightly more reserved than what you might expect from such a profile. This is a well-balanced mix with no single dominant flavour. A combination of syrup like strawberry and more natural raspberry are the top notes here. This is a tried and tested combination and it works well in this case. The doughnut and bakery notes are more subtle than what we normally find, but they still bring substantial sweetness and density to the mix. This is a competent doughnut e-liquid that will be enjoyed by vapers with a penchant for all things sweet. Strawberry Strudl is a simple but interesting bakery e-liquid that includes the unconventional pairing of strawberry and cinnamon. The strawberry top note here is heavy and sweet, evocative of a preserve. This is joined by a rich confectionary cinnamon that brings some spicy notes to the profile. This is not a pairing commonly seen in the e-liquid world and as a result it takes a bit of getting used to. The bakery notes are subtle in the mix and whilst they add some sweetness and substance to the blend they are not the stars of the show. This is one of the sweeter PJ Empire offerings I have sampled for review, and its interesting top note pairings warrant at least a try for dessert fans. VG/PG RATIO: 70/30 ADDITIONAL SWEETENER: MINIMAL THROAT HIT: MILD VG/PG RATIO: 70/30 ADDITIONAL SWEETENER: MINIMAL THROAT HIT: MILD SLUSHY QUEEN APPLE GIZER SLUSHY QUEEN MANGO BANGO Described as a frozen apple and kiwi energy drink, Applegizer is a unique profile that I’ve not come across before. Apple is the most prominent note here and it has elements of both candied and natural crisp Fuji. It’s a bright, tart top note which is rounded out well by a more reserved kiwi accent that brings some slightly deeper body to the mix. The energy drink aspect of Applegizer is more of a background note and this is probably for the best, since the bold apple and kiwi works so well. The mix is finished with a moderate icy coolant, which really enhances the bright profile here. Applegizer should please any fruit fan. Mango Bango is described by PJ Empire as a blend of mango and pineapple juice with a cooling finish. Mango can be a very difficult fruit to get right, due to how easily it can taste overripe or simply become lost in the mix. In this case, it works very well. It’s reminiscent of a mango soda which makes for a bright but mellow top note, without any of the musky pungency that is sometimes found with this exotic fruit. The pineapple juice element of Mango Bango takes a back seat and is really just an accent to the already bright top note. Coolant is a great finishing touch to the profile that has always worked well in mango mixes. Mango Bango has quickly become a personal favourite and fruit fans should definitely check it out. VG/PG RATIO: 70/30 ADDITIONAL SWEETENER: MINIMAL THROAT HIT: MILD, WITH COOLING 188 | VM19 VG/PG RATIO: 70/30 ADDITIONAL SWEETENER: MINIMAL THROAT HIT: MILD VG/PG RATIO: 70/30 ADDITIONAL SWEETENER: MINIMAL THROAT HIT: MILD, WITH COOLING JUICE REVIEWS BY BENEDICT ‘NED’ JONES