Chris 'majorvapes' SissonHere’s a look at a couple of standout flavours of friki tiki I picked up last year at the Canadian Vape Expo. They’re from a new company to me called Don Juan Mixology who I had the pleasure of meeting with at the show. The line is based on adult beverages more specifically Tiki bar inspired alcoholic drinks and among all of the things I tasted at the Expo these definitely stood out. I only got the two for review but I believe there is now a third flavour in the line. Here are my honest thoughts on Friki Tiki from Don Juan Mixology.
Bottles/Packaging:
The juices come in dark coloured 60ml chubby gorilla style bottles with very colourful Tiki inspired labels. Each one has a different Tiki mask on it and they look awesome. All the usual good information we like to see is there including batch numbers and expiry dates. Though I didn’t see the ratio listed anywhere I’d guess they were around a 70vg blend and the set I got was in 3mg. Here’s a look at the Friki Tiki bottles I picked up.
Setup:
Testing was done mostly in a Hadaly clone with a three core alien(3×28/36ni80) build from the Canadian Coil makers SaddleHorse Blues, 4/5 wraps on a 2.5mm coming out to 0.28 ohms and running between 35-45w. Using Puff cotton, rda rinsed and rewicked in between. Here’s a shot of a fresh build:
Remember taste is subjective and results will vary! Click the titles for links to the products!!
Friki Tiki Zombie
Site description:The mark of a great tiki bar is dependent on the quality of their zombie cocktail. It’s a classic tiki cocktail that has countless variations. Traditionally, it’s made with three types of rum, tropical juices, and falernum. A tropical vape that will make you dream of beaches and sunshine!
My thoughts: If you’ve ever drank a Zombie you’ll know it’s a dangerously deceptive drink, despite being mostly made of rum it goes down incredibly easy with it’s bright tropical flavours which is why it’s pretty much a staple of any good Tiki bar. With Zombie I get a super tasty blend of tropical passion fruit and a zesty orange citrus. Ok so the citrus is quite soft like a tangerine or blood orange but it still gives it a nice kick of citrus. For me I find it’s very passion fruit forward and with a rather thick mouth feel. Though they mention falernum in the description I don’t really pick up on that typical ginger and spice infused syrup but it definitely has a strong tropical edge.
Much like the real thing the taste of alcohol in this one is deceptively faint. I might pickup a tiny bit of sweet rum on the finish but it’s really mild if it’s there at all. For me it almost leans more towards a tropical fruit smoothie than it does a classic happy hour cocktail since the taste of rum is so fleeting. This one will be for fans of bright tropical flavours who might not care for the stronger alcoholic kick it’s brother Painkiller has.
Presentation: 8.5/10
Flavour Accuracy: 7/10
Uniqueness: 8.5/10
Overall quality: 9/10
Friki Tiki Painkiller
Site description: A twist on the Piña Colada, the Painkiller cocktail is a rich and fruity tropical drink that’s a specialty of the British Virgin Islands. Coconut cream, orange juice and pineapple juice join rum in this flavour that brings the tropics right to your vape!
My thoughts: This is by far one of the best takes on a Piña Colada I’ve tried yet, it’s also one of the booziest!! From Painkiller I get a wonderful tropical mix of pineapple, coconut, citrus and a shot of light rum. Just like a real deal Piña Colada served up fresh on the beach or at your favorite local Tiki Bar it’s absolutely popping with fresh tropical flavour. The boozy light rum finish is poignant but not overbearing and really jazzes the whole thing up. It’s very juicy and fresh tasting but still finishes nice and clean with a lingering hint of rum.
I do get just the slightest hint of a gummy candy taste which I’m guessing comes from the pineapple in the mix but in Painkiller it hardly bothers me. The coconut on the other hand really adds to the body of it giving the whole thing a very thick milky almost creamy feel. From time to time I pick up little hints of tropical punch, like that classic fruity red mix most of us are familiar with but I imagine it’s just from the mix of tropical fruits it contains. Overall it’s just an amazing take on a classic flavour and one that fans of booze inspired flavours will adore.
Presentation: 8.5/10
Flavour Accuracy: 9/10
Uniqueness: 9/10
Overall quality: 9/10
Final thoughts:
If you enjoy a nice cocktail you’ll probably enjoy these. I realize with their boozy edge these won’t be for everyone and while personally I can’t usually vape an alcoholic based liquid all day I do enjoy them immensely as after dinner treats, often paired with an adult beverage of my own or as a substitute when a proper drink can’t be had. I found both flavours to be nicely balanced, not too sweet and easy on the coils. One thing I will say they are a bit on the pricey side but chances are you won’t be ripping through a bottle and like me will appreciate it as an occasional treat. So hats off to the guys at Don Juan Mixology for doing something a little bit different from most others and doing a damn fine job of it!!