Elf Bar Cigalike Disposable Vape Review – Retro Vaping At Its Finest

Today I’m taking a look at the new Elf Bar Cigalike disposable vapes.

These ones take me back to around nine years ago when I first started vaping.

If memory serves, CE4 clearomizers were the fashion among transitioning vapers. I myself used one as part of the quitting process – but that wasn’t the only way of ditching the cigs.

Back then Cigalike vapes were jostling for attention, freely available in Corner Shops, Petrol Stations and Supermarkets.

It’s pretty much like that now with disposables, isn’t it.

Anyway, the truth is those Cigalikes sucked!

Poor on flavour and even worse for vapour production they played little part in my successful transition across to vaping.

So Elf Bar have made a clever move. They’ve rebooted those old devices and brought them up to speed.

Here’s hoping they don’t suck, eh?

What Can We Expect From the Elf Bar Cigalike Vapes?

Whether I liked them or not, Cigalikes were pocket friendly simple devices ready to use. Again, very much like today’s disposables. I’m quite surprised the fusion of the two has taken so long.

So we get the form factor of those early vape devices only slimmer, lighter and more elegant looking. With a stainless steel shell they’re likely to be more durable too.

1.6ml of E-liquid has been squeezed into the 9.2mm diameter tube with a salt nicotine strength of 20mg. Meaning the Elf Bar Cigalike devices are fully TPD compliant.

In terms of detail I couldn’t discover the coil material or resistance. The number of puffs seems to vary from site to site so I’ll do my best to let you know.

Expect a total of 20 flavours to choose from ranging from fruits, drinks, tobacco and mint. Menthol has been mixed in with a few for good measure.

Each Cigalike flavour is numbered. To me that’s highly reminiscent of purchasing cigarettes. Remember the old number ones? Number six?

I think Elf Bar do and it kind of adds a touch of nostalgia.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 116.7 x 9.2mm
• Net weight: 15g
• E-liquid capacity: 1.6ml
• Strength: 20mg salt nicotine
• Coil: Unknown
• Battery capacity: 280mAh
• Number of puffs: 400 – 600

I’d like to thank Vape Club for sending these over for the purposes of review. It’s very much appreciated.

Please remember that taste is subjective. Just because I may not be keen, don’t let that necessarily put you off. In the same way, you might like cabbage. I absolutely loathe it.

Ok. Without further ado let’s see if these are an improvement over the original Cigalikes.

Apple Peach

Elf Bar Says:

Taste notes of crisp Apples and sweet, juicy Peaches that combine to create a fruity-flavoured vape that offers you the best vaping experience with each inhale and exhale.

I Say:

I get quite a strong aroma of Peach when breaking the sealed pack open. That’s what you’re predominantly getting from this one.

The Menthol helps to create a smooth cooling inhale which is far from over bearing. It makes a very pleasant change from traditional disposables.

Flavour is quite strong and lingers around the taste buds post vape. That’s also where the Apples uncover themselves. More of an after taste than during the exhale itself.

Neither Peach or Apple is very natural tasting but the combination of the two is quite effective – it’s actually appealing.

A very tasty and refreshing vape with oodles of flavour.

Blueberry

Elf Bar Says:

Enjoy the pure taste of fresh Blueberries in this fantastic disposable vape, which provides you with the best vaping sensation with each inhalation and exhalation.

I Say:

This is a very aromatic vape. It’s also quite sweet on the inhale. The sweetness combines with Menthol and easily takes up half of the vaping experience.

Flavour quality and intensity take up the business end. The Blueberries aren’t what I would consider fresh and they’re certainly not natural tasting. This is the ‘accessible’ version of the fruit – the one that’s found in the majority of disposables.

That flavour is strong and concentrated and although synthetic tasting balances well with what the Menthol and sweetness contribute.

The flavour will linger too so be prepared for that. It tends to amplify the artificial qualities of the vape.

I think Blueberry is a taste you’ll either love or loathe. As for me?

I’m sitting on the fence up here – as usual!

Cappuccino

Elf Bar Says:

Enjoy the familiar flavour of freshly roasted Coffee Beans in a portable, disposable vape that gives you the most fantastic vaping sensation with each inhalation and exhalation.

I Say:

The aroma hints of rich, ground Coffee beans and that’s not an exaggeration. It’s just like the real thing but how does it vape?

Not quite as good. It’s by no means bad but definitely loses something on the exhale. There’s a very strange taste pulling through and it takes the edge off what I’m assuming to be the roasted element of the vape.

It’s not a burnt taste but comes very close to containing the dreaded ‘rubber band’ taste effect I’ve experienced with similar profiles.

There’s every possibility the Menthol content is nullifying it but when the two combine something drastically changes the classic taste of Cappuccino.

This is a very weird tasting vape and one I’m personally not that keen on. And why is Menthol included in a hot beverage vape?

Cream Tobacco

Elf Bar Says:

This excellent flavour is perfect for people who have switched from smoking to vaping or prefer the somewhat sweet yet smoky flavour of fresh Tobacco leaves for an incredible vaping sensation with each inhale and exhale.

I Say:

Very subtle, very sweet. That’s one of the ways of describing Cream Tobacco.

This blend of tobacco leaves has been finely balanced and it’s one of those vapes that’s best experienced in the way you’d puff on a cigar.

The flavour seems better with mini puffs and the sweetness attaches itself to the lips in a kind of semi saturated manner. The blend is similar to Virginian tobacco – certainly the hand rolled variety, anyway.

There’s just the mildest hint at cream and very much hidden beneath the main ingredient.

However, it is once again laced with Menthol. It’s not particularly strong but like the sweetness, leaves an impression on the lips post vape.

When all’s said and done, Elf Bar have done a fine job at recreating a tobacco based flavour.

Raspberry Orange Blossom

Elf Bar Says:

Experience this fascinating blend of floral notes fused with the taste of succulent Raspberries fused with a hint of Orange for an excellent vaping experience with each inhale and exhale.

I Say:

Raspberry Orange Blossom is the most refreshing Cigalike on the list so far. Why do I say this?

It’s a combination of things, really. We’re introduced early doors to the inherent sweetness of the vape during inhale but there’s a veritable flavour explosion on the way out.

Most of the floral nature of the vape is present throughout the exhale and backed up by the cooling Menthol back notes.

Personally, Orange is the dominant fruit and even comes packaged with a citrusy sharpness. Think freshly squeezed and you’re getting the experience. It’s a pretty decent interpretation for a change.

The Raspberry isn’t as clever, though. It’s clearly in there but more noticeable as a late, sweet aftertaste.

That doesn’t stop Raspberry Orange Blossom from being a killer vape for the long hot summer months. It’s one of those ‘pick me up’ vapes that hits all the right spots.

Red Wine Ice

Elf Bar Says:

Savour the acidic flavours of a hearty Red Wine that have been mellowed out and combined with a cooling menthol edge for a fantastic vaping experience.

I Say:

This one doesn’t work for me in terms of the flavour description, unfortunately. That’s a shame because wine vapes seem few and far between.

The best and maybe only way of describing Red Wine Ice is like a stripped back version of Heisenberg. Yet there’s something different about the initial inhale. Of all things, it reminds me of Beef! Yes – that does sound odd and quirky but then so is the guy writing this! lol

It’s a mixture of Heisenberg, Beef and a strong Menthol. That’s really all I’ve got. I’m honest if nothing else..

There’s a distinct candy like edge running throughout the exhale.

I’m just simply not reminded of a wine inspired vape at all. We get plenty of flavour, lots of sweetness and maybe a tad too much cooling.

Such an odd mixture and not one I think I’ll be returning to in a hurry.

Battery Performance and Number of Puffs

The battery held out for 6.5hrs and that’s longer than I was expecting given that I vape quite heavily.

Admittedly, power started to wain during the last half hour or so and the coil was struggling to keep up with wicking demands but generally speaking flavour and vapour production held up well throughout its life span.

So I estimate you’ll get between 450-500 puffs from the Elf Bar Cigalike disposables.

If you’re a new or casual vaper the device is likely to last between 1-2 days.

Final Review Verdict

These disposables gave me an excellent MTL vape. For me, possibly the best of the year!  Some are bound to say it’s too tight but I got exactly what I was looking for.

Especially from a device designed to emulate a cigarette. Elf Bar have absolutely nailed it.

The flavour was more intense than I was expecting and that’s another plus. Admittedly they weren’t all to my liking but that’s missing the point. They do more to hold the attention than a lot of traditional disposable vapes.

Vapour production, too is just like the real thing in terms of emulation. Bang on the money. Discreet and very stealth like.

The Elf Bar Cigalike is about the same length as a ‘Superking’ if memory serves. It’s a bit embarrassing to say but I did find myself holding the disposable as a cigarette too!

I guess the only negative is in the additional weight but when it comes to portability and pocket friendliness the Cigalike has got you covered.

Elf Bar have just given the struggling smoker a much needed life line and I’d be surprised if these don’t go on to sell by the vape load!

Were this a product review I would have given it a straight ten.

Fantastic.