Vaping Diaries #261: True North Tonics Pedro Benito Interview

This interview with True North Tonics owner Pedro Benito is longer than my usual chats with e-liquid makers, but it’s also more interesting. Pedro talks about moving from a touring indie-rock musician with The Jealous Sound and Sunday’s Best to composing music for film and television to crafting e-liquids. True North Tonics offers some of the cleanest e-liquids out there, with several unique and complex flavors. In my opinion, the company is one of the most underrated in the vaping business.

There are several things that help True North Tonics stand out in the highly competitive field of e-liquids. Pedro’s wife is a biochemist, allowing True North Tonics to offer pure flavors with an emphasis on safety. It was fun learning how heating up different ingredients to different temperatures results in various flavor combinations. It was interesting to learn that these juices are made in a laboratory-style fashion, so that each bottle’s individual components can be traced back to the exact ingredient bottle used on the day it was made. On the outside, True North Tonic uses glass vials for its 15ml bottles and wine labels instead of common stickers.

As for the flavors themselves, Pedro talked about three of the e-liquids he launched with and some of his newest flavors. The new flavors are really tasty. As a fan of dessert vapes, I’m really high on the Bavarian cream-inspired Captain’s Daughter. The day this interview was filmed, Pedro had a new raspberry-lychee blend that he was testing. I may or may not have finished what was left of his bottle. (I did…and it was frickin’ delicious!)

Please check out my True North Tonics interview when you have a chance. I’m sure that many of you will learn more about what goes into making e-liquids by listening to Pedro. He was, perhaps, a bit too forthcoming. Ha!

True North Tonics Pedro Benito

Special thanks to Monster Vape Lounge for letting me film and hang out!

Vaping Diaries #260: V4Vape Jay O’Brien Interview

In addition to heading up Nirvana Vapor and being a partner in True Leaf Vapor, Jay O’Brien has launched a new line of vaping dessert e-liquids called V4Vape. Aimed towards vapers that enjoy sweet and savory e-liquids, V4Vape stands out with some unique and complex blends. In the interview above, Jay talks about the company’s four launch flavors and the future of the line.

Going down the menu alphabetically, Valentine is a mix of condensed milk, rose essence, and nutty flavors. Surprisingly, this one has been a hit with vapers that enjoy tobacco e-liquids. Valhalla is a caramel flan juice with hints of hazelnut. Vendetta is a white chocolate custard with a touch of peppermint. Lastly is V4Vape’s most popular juice to date, Virtue. This e-liquid blends toasted almond macaroon with brown sugar and cream.

As a fan of dessert e-liquids, complexity, and atypical blends, I’m really looking forward to vaping some V4Vape juices. Stay tuned for a review in the near future. For now, be sure to check out what Jay has to say about his V4Vape line.

V4Vape Jay O Brien Interview

Vaping Diaries #259: Tobh Mods Jay-Bo Talks Indestructible Atty and More (ECC 2014)

I saved my favorite ECC 2014 interview for last — a fun chat with the excellent owner of Tobh Mods, Jay-Bo. Following the immense success of the Tobh Atomizer, Jay-Bo has a lot going on to cap off 2014. First are a bunch of accessories for the Tobh Atomizer, including brass caps, copper caps, and the slam cap featuring a built in drip tip. The brass and copper caps are unique in that the inside of the cap is stainless steel, which should mollify vapers concerned with their juice touching brass or copper. Jay-Bo now has his own logo, separate from the Tobh Mods brand. The first product under the Jay-Bo brand is the Indestructible Atty, which will be released by Surefire Vapor. Jay-Bo also has a rebuildable tank atomizer in the works, which is fantastic news for vapers that want Tobh Mods innovation in a vaping solution with capacity. As a coffee nerd, I had to ask Jay-Bo about his latest espresso adventures and see how his professional barista skills are holding up.

This is one of those interviews where I kind of forgot I was conducting an interview. Jay-Bo is such a friendly and fascinating guy that it’s so easy to enjoy having a conversation with him and forget to make cogent points. Thankfully, he has a lot going on and delivered information on his newest products in an entertaining way. Yeah, Jay-Bo totally did the job for me in this clip. Ha!

Tobh Mods Jay-Bo Indestructible Atty ECC 2014

Vaping Diaries #258: Fallout Mods Brian Nashick Interview (ECC 2014)

As a huge fan of made-in-the-USA vaping products, I love Fallout Mods’ attitude. The company is very proud that its products are, “made by us in the USA using materials sourced from the USA.” I love that the company’s 22mm mod is called that “7 Eights” and that it has a t-shirt that boldly states, “7 Eights Not 22mm Because This is America.” Ha! Attitude aside, Fallout Mods makes some fantastic mechanical mods that offer unique features and top-notch craftsmanship. They’re the kind of products that make you want to shout, “Murica!!!”

At ECC 2014, I caught up with Fallout Mods owner Brian Nashick. He spoke about some special edition 7 Eights and Mutant mods the company was selling at the show (California edition, ECC edition, STD edition, etc.). He also revealed some information about future Fallout Mods products, including hybrid drippers, several box mods, and mods that use exotic metals.

Check out my interview with Brian to see what’s going on with this great American vaping company.

Fallout Mods Brian Nashick 7 Eights ECC 2014

Vaping Diaries #257: Los Angeles Vapor Company Eric Trotter Interview (ECC 2014)

It’s always a pleasure hanging out with The Force Vapors CEO Eric Trotter. He’s a fun dude and one of my favorite people in the business to hang with at vape meets. Last time I chatted with Eric on camera, he told me all about The Force Vapors and some of the company’s popular e-liquids. At ECC 2014, he told me about the most recent addition to The Force Vapors — Padme’s Nectar — and his brand new line called Los Angeles Vapor Company.

As a lifelong Angeleno, Eric’s new line of juices is inspired by the city where he was born and raised. Los Angeles Vapor Company is launching with four flavors — Iced T, The Beach, Valley Girl, and Westside. In the video above, Eric details the flavor profiles of each juice and talks about why he started a separate line.

On a side note, as much as I enjoy hanging out with Eric, interviewing him always makes my arm tired. He’s tall. I’m short. You do the math. Next time we film together, I’m going to make him sit down.

Los Angeles Vapor Company Eric Trotter Valley Girl

Vaping Diaries #256: Perfect Cloudz Mandy Dishler Interview (ECC 2014)

I distinctly remember the first time I tried Perfect Cloudz’s popular Sack Lunch e-liquid. It was in a goodie bag I won at an OC Vape Meet. I dripped a little and was delighted by the peanut butter & jelly flavor. To be completely honest, I immediately thought, “Stoners are going to love this one.” Ha!

At ECC 2014, I had a fun chat with Perfect Cloudz co-owner Mandy Dishler. She told me about the company’s background, the story behind Sack Lunch, the new Sweet & Sticky e-liquid, and more. As a fan of RY4s, I was particularly interested in Perfect Cloudz’s Sweet & Sticky — it’s like an RY4 with some extra naughtiness. In addition to the traditional RY4 ingredients of tobacco, caramel, and vanilla, this Perfect Cloudz concoction also contains butterscotch and salted caramel.

Check out my chat with Many to learn more about Perfect Cloudz and its vaping e-liquids.

Perfect Cloudz Mandy Dishler Interview ECC 2014

Vaping Diaries #255: Boomer Tech Chain Reaction & Jigantor Interview (ECC 2014)

At ECC 2014, Boomer Tech was showing of a pair of 26650 mods that will be available at relatively low prices. First up is the Jigantor (not the Jiganator, as RPadholic N8R insisted it was). This mechanical mod features a copper body for maximum conductivity, steel-plated copper caps, a magnetic switch, and a carbon fiber wrap. The Jigantor has an MSRP of $100. On the digital side is Boomer Tech’s Chain Reaction. Using the same tube as the Jigantor, the Chain Reaction has a “backpack” that houses a “CNA” digital regulator. Capable of output as high as 50 watts, the Chain Reaction will be a compelling choice for vapers that want 26650 battery life and a regulated vape for a low price of $125.

Check out my conversation with Boomer Tech owner Brian Skinner to learn more about these stylish and inexpensive 26650 mods.

Boomer Tech Jigantor ECC 2014

Vaping Diaries #254: Epic Juice Outbreak Sammie Saing Interview (ECC 2014)

Out of all the booths I visited at ECC 2014, the Outbreak booth was the only one with a zombie-infested maze. A spinoff line of Epic Juice, Outbreak takes advantage of the zombie craze (I blame The Walking Dead) with five e-liquids based on undead themes. Epic Juice sales director Sammie Saing walked me through the new flavors — Agent Green, Contagion, Patient Zero, Serum, and T-Virus — and told me about the inspiration behind these e-liquids. The video above also gives you a quick walkthrough of the Outbreak zombie maze set to Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.”

Epic Juice Outbreak Sammie Saing ECC 2014

Vaping Diaries #253: Vapor Shark rDNA Oscar Rodriguez Interview (ECC 2014)

Vapor Shark is known for its affordable box mods that use the outstanding Evolv Vapor DNA variable-wattage chips. At ECC 2014, I met up with wholesale director Oscar Rodriguez to talk about the company’s latest products and to hear the story behind the Vapor Shark submarine. The highlight of the company’s booth was the Vapor Shark rDNA box mod. This product features the DNA 30 chip and runs on a single 18650 battery. The rDNA has several optional accessories to protect the mod and extend its functionality. The Shark Skin products are similar to silicone phone cases; they’re great at protecting the mod, while also changing up its looks. In Oscar’s words, Shark Skins are fantastic for, “Protecting your predator.” Ha! One unique feature of the rDNA is the optional wireless charging dock. This uses inductive charging and gives vapers the convenience of charging a battery without having to take it out of the mod.

As for the submarine…this is something that you have to see for yourself. Watch the video above to see the submarine and hear about its formidable capabilities, as well as to hear the latest from Vapor Shark.

Vapor Shark rDNA ECC 2014

Vaping Diaries #252: Johnny Ugly Vapor Interview (ECC 2014)

One of the newest and most unique e-liquid companies from Southern California is Johnny Ugly Vapor. The company uses an old-school style and awesomely atypical packaging that immediately grabs your attention. Inside the bottles, Johnny Ugly Vapor uses a coffee, candy, and cake system to make its juices. As someone that identifies coffee, candy, and cake as his three “food groups,” I was intrigued by the Johnny Ugly Vapor approach to vaping e-liquids. At ECC 2014, I met up with Johnny Ugly himself to talk about his company. In addition to describing his flavors and teasing his next one (Monster), he spoke about his background in fashion and love for the Rat Pack. Those two elements are apparent in the style he’s going for with Johnny Ugly Vapor.

Check out the interview above to learn more about Johnny Ugly Vapor, see its unique bottles, learn about its flavors, and hear about what’s coming next.

Johnny Ugly Vapor ECC 2014