e-Juice Review: Gin & Tonic from Hitman Vaping
There is a shit-storm happening all over the country right now with the recent announcement of lock downs on nicotine imports, and we’re all pretty upset.
I’ve been busy writing to ministers, representatives, and spreading the word to my family and friends, asking for support for all of us, during these dark days, and I don’t know about you, but I need to take a minute.
So let’s do a review to take the edge off a little.
It’s the beginning of the week and I’ve got another Aussie E-Liquid range to show you. This one is interesting, and had my attention at the very mention of some of the flavour profiles, because this is an alcohol beverage range, or cocktail range if you will. Hitman Vaping have been around for a little while, but have just recently re-branded, and redesigned their bottles and labels.
Michael, Eugene and Denis started Hitman Vaping, because they felt there was a bit of a lack of variety in current e-juices. They continued on to create a bunch of flavours inspired by your weekend cocktail selection. Inspiring you out of your comfort zone, with a range of unique and tasty flavours, is their primary mission. It’s a big aim, but I think they’ve got a fun challenge ahead! Let’s see how they went!
Today I’ll be reviewing “Gin & Tonic” from Hitman Vaping.
(This e-liquid was supplied by Hitman Vaping for review. )
Flavour Description
[From the website]
For those looking for something new, look no further. The fresh notes of Botanical Gin, quenching Cucumber, and faint Cactus, all perfectly blended with craft Tonic bring out a rich G&T experience that is familiar, yet unique.(This product does not contain any alcohol. Only permitted flavorings are used in producing this e-liquid.)
The Review
I’ll not pretend here, and this is likely to lose me some browny points, but Gin & Tonic is not something that I enjoy. The bitterness does not agree with me, and pouring bitter (tonic water) onto bitter (gin) just seems wrong.
Just because I don’t particularly like it, doesn’t mean I don’t know Gin however. My wife loves the stuff, and insists that I try the mixes that she makes, so I do know a ‘good’ Gin when I taste one. (it just doesn’t taste ‘good’ to me lol)
As rare as e-liquids with Gin are, I have tried a few over the years, and they’ve been pleasant, a little sweet, with a lighter flavour touch. Definitely not the same flavour that I got out of the wife’s glass last night!
Hitman Vaping’s Gin & Tonic is as realistic as you’re going to get from an e-liquid, with plenty of bitterness and a dry fizz that really drives that Tonic feel to the back of your tongue!
Individual Notes
While many might argue that a Gin & Tonic is only a bunch of bitterness in a glass, it does have it’s intricacies, and most have a distinct botanical or background note to them separating them from the rest.
This particular flavour, does centre around the bitterness, however there is a sweetness to it, in particular a clean cactus and cucumber flavour wash.
Rather than describe the individual flavours here I’ll jump straight into the inhale and exhale, because in such an intricate mix, you’re likely to really only notice bits and pieces, as all flavours come together as a whole, rather than whole profiles.
Inhale & Exhale
On the inhale, you’ll instantly notice the warm bitterness of the Gin, with a slight alcohol feel, not dissimilar to other e-liquids with a whiskey or bourbon profile, obviously with a much cleaner crisper feel to it.
As the inhale continues, this bitterness increases but is chased with an earthy note, a juicy cucumber lying under the surface which flattens things out temporarily, until the top end of the inhale.
At the top of the inhale, the Gin really lets itself known with a rounded and bitter alcohol note that switches on the palate, moving toward the back of the tongue, really driving home that this is quite a clean bitter flavour. I feel like I notice a touch of lime at this point too, enough to notice, but not enough to override the bitterness.
As you exhale, that bitterness rides through, as the lightest sweetness appears. This is the cactus appearing, just like the cucumber, providing a slightly earthy, rindy, but juicy and clean sweetness, that sort of battles the bitterness for dominance, but accents it all at the same time. As the exhale continues, you’ll notice a sharper fizz hit your senses, as the tonic shows itself and finishes off the profile.
Final thoughts
Really pay attention to this one. While it would be easy to dismiss it as nothing more than a little bitterness carried by an empty fizz on the exhale, if you really soak your wicks up, and give this a nice big pull, other notes start to take shape, and you’ll find yourself picking out some of the earthier flavours.
While it is bitter, you can pinpoint the spot where the Gin starts off and the tonic comes in, washing over everything with a crispness familiar to the real thing.
This is definitely not my cup of tea, we all know that, but I must admit I’ve enjoyed pulling it apart, and giving “Gin and Tonic” a red-hot go, I still don’t like it but, Hitman Vaping have done an exceptional job on it.
Gin lovers, give this a try, and well done Hitman Vaping making me vape a Gin & Tonic…… I still won’t drink one. 😀
Where to Buy:
The entire Hitman Vaping range can be purchased directly from the Hitman Vaping online store or through any of their other stockists around the country.
Colour:
Clear
Aroma:
Bittersweet gin and tonic
Coil and wick damage:
Not a lot of damage to wicks or coils here, I’m getting minimal gunking which I’m surprised about, I expected more, considering how sweet these flavours are.
PG/VG Ratio:
70VG/30PG
Texture:
Sharp, clean and bittersweet
Steeping:
No need to steep this one.
Presentation:
Wonderful presentation here. Hitman have gone the extra peg and had boxes made for their e-liquid bottles, each offset printed, with a UV clear printed over the top giving a brilliantly professional finish, designed to match the bottle’s branding and look.
I received 60ml tinted Chubby gorilla bottles with child-proof and tamper-proof caps, and needle tip dispensers.
The labels are a lovely classy satin/matt black printed with a silver underlay. Front and center are the main flavour and brand name, with an image of the beverage, a lovely hand-drawn piece of artwork.
On the back is where you’ll find all your information. Manufacturing details, ingredients, warnings, PG/VG ratio, bottle size and zero nicotine declaration. You’ll also find a batch number, as well as my favourite part, an ISO 6 certified clean-room stamp. Yep these are bottled in a certified clean room!
Test rigs:
Original Haku Cruiser running a single 0.17 framed staple coil on a mech mod/variable wattage mod.
Haku Xeta, in Billet Box, 0.3 stainless single coil, running about 30Watts on temperature mode.
Rating overview
