Marco Polo Vape Co – 1271 & 1274 Salts

Marco Polo Vape Co is a Canadian collaboration between the owners of recently featured “Vapes By Enushi” and “Wicks & Wires Vape Shoppe” owner Joe Pirrotta. Marco Polo recently released the two popular flavors 1271 and 1274 in nicotine salt formulations. Let’s look at the shop before we get to the flavors:

Wicks & Wires Vape Shoppe

From the Wicks & Wires website:

Wicks & Wires Vape Shoppe was born from the idea that a vape shop should be more then a place where those who vape can buy products. Rather, Wicks & Wires Vape Shoppe is a home for people to converge, share their passions for vaping, sample the very best quality e-juices on the market, ask questions and give answers and immerse themselves in a modern, comfortable and relaxing retail environment..

Wicks & Wires Vape Shoppe is about authenticity, personalized customer service, education, high quality products and e-juices, and building a community of friends who also happen to be vapors, no matter if they are beginners or experts. So welcome to Wicks &Wires Vape Shoppe, a place where you can be a part of a unique movement, to be free from analog, to have choices, to learn, to teach, to express yourself and most importantly, to be yourself.

Let’s ask Joe a couple of questions before we get to the new MPVC releases:

Hi Joe. Thanks for joining us today. Wicks And Wires is a great shop. Did you have the concept in mind when you opened your shop?

Yes, it started with an idea about 2 years before I decided to make the decision to open.  While working in my previous career I spent countless hours building off the idea and working it into a concept.  That concept was then worked into a deck and right from day one it was critical that no shortcuts were taken.   The goal was to create Vaughan’s best vape shop that caters to the entire spectrum of vapers, in a clean professional environment, while at the same time – giving smokers the confidence to walk in and be educated.

Wicks & Wires Vape Shoppe is generally thought of as a place to buy high-end gear. Was that your intention?

Not really, the shop has always carried products that range from everyday starter kits to high end rare items.  But because high end especially in Canada is a rarity, having items like that have really helped to put us on the map.  At the end of the day we always have and will continue to bring in high end items because I truly believe there is a market for it.

What do you enjoy most about this industry?

Literally everything, apart from the paperwork. The amount of people from all walks of life I have met both inside and outside of the shop has been the best part.  The countless life stories, like minded business people and the fun of what’s new and around the corner makes the job that much better.  The biggest reward is the thousands of people we have converted from smoking to vaping is the biggest reward of what we do.

Where do you think the Canadian vape industry is headed?

Who knows?  At this point its either an educated guess or opinion.  But if I had to take a guess, the industry is here to stay.  As many know we are no longer this underground culture like it was in the old days.  We are now and industry which is constantly being challenged and regulated which to me is a good thing, the key is that we are regulated fairly and operate professionally.  More and more smokers now know what vaping is and every day we constantly see them make the switch.  At first, I thought it was an impossibility, but I think its fair to say years from now vaping will surpass smoking.

What’s in the future for Wicks and Wires Vape Shoppe?

The plan is to continue doing what we do, I’ve been asked many times if I will be opening more stores and the answer is no.  More is not always better and being here everyday and focusing on the one store allows my staff and myself to constantly elevate customer service and bring in great products and making a difference.  Having that intimate connection with our customers and them knowing the owner is invaluable to both us and them.

For those that may have missed the earlier interview on this site and Keith’s review of the original Marco Polo line, the links are here:

MPVC just introduced nicotine salt versions reformulated to a 50/50 ratio. Can you tell us about that?

Not too long ago we got picked up by Pacific Smoke International and couldn’t be more thrilled. Over the last year we have been working with Flavor Art North America to develop our next flavor release but its not quite ready yet.  So with MPVC now being offered at PSI we wanted to join the family with some new editions to the lineup so we worked closely with FANA and our amazing copackers at Theory Labs to launch the salt line.  The timing could not be better and so far, the consumer feedback has been fantastic.

Thanks Joe!  Let’s take a look at the reformulated salt versions:

1271 and 1274 have been out a little while. 1271 made an especially big splash at CVE Toronto 2017 – it really should have taken Best of Show that year (IMO). MPVC worked hard on reformulating 1271 and 1274 for nic salts before releasing them to the public. 50/50 ratio nic salt versions were carefully adjusted to stay true to the traditional nic versions.


Marco Polo Vape Co. – the 1271’s
30ml Chubby Gorilla Bottle
Ratio: 50 VG / 50 PG

Main Flavours: Blackcurrant, Mango, Lychee
Secondary Flavours: Cantaloupe, Apricot
“Winter” version adds cooling.

Vaping this brings you the sweet, earthy tartness of blackcurrant. Mango and lychee give a nice balance to the blackcurrant acidity and adds some great depth. The description from the makers says “other exotic fruit”. I get hints of cantaloupe and apricot which add additional layers of sweetness in the undertones. Different temps will bring out different nuances and change the way this tastes so although this will taste great in any standard “pod” device, one with variable power settings would allow you to fine tune the flavor.

As mentioned above, the Winter version of 1271 gives you a cooling sensation. The “cooling” used doesn’t impart any mint or menthol flavor so it’s quite pleasant and refreshing.

Marco Polo Vape Co. – the 1274’s
30ml Chubby Gorilla Bottle
Ratio: 50 VG / 50 PG

Main Flavours: Passion Fruit, White Grape, and Asian Snow Pear
Secondary Flavours: Listed as other exotic fruits
“Winter” version adds cooling.

Honestly, the “exotic” mix of fruits make this one tough to decipher. If you had the fruit side by side with the eliquid, you’d easily start to pick out the characteristics of Passion Fruit, White Grape and Asian Pear. 1274 vapes with a slightly dominant white grape. The result is a more delicate fruit vape. Using a variable device will allow you to fine tune the sweetness.

Again, the Winter version of 1274 gives you a cooling sensation. The “cooling” used doesn’t impart any mint or menthol flavor so it’s quite pleasant and refreshing. In this flavor, I have a preference for the Winter version. With both Winter versions, using a variable device will also allow you to somewhat adjust the amount of “cooling” – more heat generally tames the cooling aspect.

marco polo 1271 & 1274 Salts
1271 and 1274 plus Winter versions in nic salt by Marco Polo Vape Co,

MPVC gives you some choice – well crafted, well executed fruit flavors that don’t follow the pack. Marco Polo didn’t return to Venice until 1295, so expect a lot more “stops” from MPVC in this vaping journey.

Marco Polo Vape Co.: https://www.facebook.com/MarcoPoloVapeCo/ 

Wicks & Wire Vape Shoppe: https://www.wicksandwires.com/