Choosing a first vape juice means making three decisions: which flavor, which base, and how much nicotine. With more people using vaping products, the range on offer has grown, and that can make the choice feel harder than it is. Taking the decisions one at a time helps.
Decision one: flavor
Flavor comes first, because nothing else matters much if you dislike the taste. E-liquid is made in nearly any flavor you can think of. At the simple end there are blends made to resemble well-known cigarette brands. Beyond those you will find fruit, food and even cocktail flavors.
A milder liquid is a reasonable place to begin, such as one that resembles the cigarette brand you already know. You can move on to bolder flavors later if you feel adventurous.
Decision two: the PG and VG mix
The base of a vape juice is propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerol (VG), or both together. Each has strengths and weaknesses:
- VG: gives noticeably more vapor.
- PG: generally carries flavor better.
Most e-juices blend the two so that you get a balance of clouds and taste. A mix of 40% PG and 60% VG works well for most people. Try other ratios as you go and see which you like.
Decision three: nicotine strength
E-juice is sold in a range of nicotine strengths, so you can pick the level you prefer. At the light end is 3mg, and 6mg gives a little more. Other blends run from 9mg all the way to 36mg for those who want a much stronger liquid.
Unless you know you want a strong liquid, begin with a lower strength and step up only if it feels too weak.
Try before you commit
Once you know these basics, sample where you can. Taste a few flavors, or buy two or three different types in small sizes, before settling on one. That shows you how the various flavors and ingredients suit you. In the end the decision is personal, and testing is how you find out what works.
The rest of the blog has more how-to articles on vaping and e-juice.