RY4 is arguably the most copied e-liquid in vaping. It was invented by Janty back in 2007 (more details here) and the vast majority of e-liquid companies in the world have served up their own version. For this installment of the Vaping Diaries, I checked out three RY4s from the company that started it all — Janty’s DK RY4, Classic RY4, and Elixir RY4.
When newer vapers hear RY4, they think of sweet e-liquids that highlight caramel and vanilla flavors. Those are modern RY4s. Classic RY4s, like these three, are generally bright, balanced, and slightly to moderately sweet. They use a relatively neutral tobacco flavor that’s complemented by caramel and vanilla flavors. The result is something quite unique. Some classic RY4s have an element that many RY4 aficionados call “sour.” I’m not certain that’s the best word for it, but I can’t think of a better one, so let’s just go with that. You can definitely tell that these three e-liquids have the same roots, but they diverge in different manners. While two of these juices have relatively old formulas, to me they’re still among the best RY4s you can buy. While the other is very good, I don’t think it’s quite in the same league as its sister products.
Here are the flavor breakdowns and steeping notes.
DK RY4: This juice is the closest to the original formula and to me it’s still the best synthetic RY4 out there. The balance is perfect; the tobacco, sweet, and sour notes come together seamlessly and no one flavor dominates. Out of these three juices, it had the most “sour” flavor, which can taste strange to those that have only vaped modern RY4s. I’m sure that most newcomers will get over it and enjoy this incredible juice. After trying a few dozen RY4s, this is still my gold standard — the one I compare all other RY4s to.
Classic RY4: Vapers that enjoy the taste of synthetic tobacco might prefer this juice over DK RY4. Their profiles are very similar, but the tobacco flavor in Classic is more pronounced and distinct. It doesn’t dominate the juice by any means, but its flavor is definitely easier to detect. For tobacco e-liquids, I greatly prefer naturally extracted tobacco (NET) over synthetic tobacco, so this juice’s leanings didn’t do much for me. It’s definitely a top-quality RY4 and I’ve playfully bickered with vaper friends over which Janty RY4 is the best. My pal ECF Jerms, for example, thinks it’s this juice and I totally understand why he thinks so.
Elixir RY4: Elixir is the sweetest of the three, with an emphasis on the caramel (to my tastebuds, anyway). You can tell it’s related to the other two juices, but I didn’t enjoy as much as the others. While this juice has its fans, I don’t think it’s in the same league as its sister products. It’s definitely very good — certainly as good or better than many RY4s you can buy. It reminded me of a celebrity’s less-famous sibling. I don’t want to say it’s Frank Stallone or Ozzie Canseco…. Perhaps Elizabeth Olsen is the right celebrity analogy. DK and Classic are the Mary Kate and Ashley, while Elixir is the Elizabeth. That’s fair, right?
Steeping Notes
On the advice of Wlad from Ahlusion, I’ve been trying a new steeping method starting December 27, 2012. When the e-liquids arrive, I leave them uncapped for five minutes. Previously, I left them uncapped for about two days. After the liquids are given a few minutes to oxidize, the caps are put back on. The bottles are shaken every day for at least two weeks before vaping.
DK RY4
House PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Uncapped: April 24, 2013 7:12PM
Vaped: May 14-June 15, 2013
Classic RY4
House PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Uncapped: April 24, 2013 7:12PM
Vaped: May 14-June 15, 2013
Elixir RY4 VG
House PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Uncapped: April 24, 2013 7:12PM
Vaped: May 14-June 15, 2013
Review Process (Updated February 17, 2013)
RPad.TV e-liquid reviews focus on the flavor of the e-liquids, since throat hit and vapor production can be altered by the PG/VG ratio and nicotine level selected. Each juice is vaped over a period of days in an atomizer, a cartomizer/tank setup, and a clearomizer. The exception is naturally-extracted tobacco (NET) juice; since those are known to clog up cartomizers quickly, those are vaped in atomizers and clearomizers.
