Today I’m taking a look at the Original C Juice range of e-liquid flavours owned by Swansea based Lumo Liquids.
Original C as a range takes its name from CIRRO recipes created way back in 2013. To this day they remain untouched, the same refined blends mixologists worked on to create ‘the ultimate in vaping satisfaction’.
Meanwhile, Lumo Liquids have held a MHRA Pharma European GMP license for over a quarter of a Century. They take care of the mixing, filling and packaging of the Original C range.
In this day and age of vaping it’s hardly surprising to discover they also fill disposable pods for a multitude of e-liquid manufacturers.
I must confess that I’m new to the Original C name. So what can we expect?
What Can We Expect From The Original C Range?
The Original C range is available in three lines. There’s the single line, purposely designed for the new vaper using lower powered MTL devices, blended mixes which offer a more complex take on flavours and finally a Nic salt range for those demanding a higher level of nicotine.
They’re all available in 10ml TPD compliant bottles (multipacks are also an option) in freebase nicotine strengths of 6mg, 11mg or 18mg. Nicotine strengths are said to vary depending on the flavour selected.
The juice ratio is 70VG/30PG. For more information about VG and PG read our Guide To E-liquids.
If Nic Salts are your bag, expect the range to appear only in 20mg strength and with a juice ratio of 50VG/50PG.
Packaging
I can’t fault it. They arrived inside cartons which state the flavour, nicotine strength as well as liquid ratio. There’s also the mandatory ‘Over 18 only’ warning symbol on the rear of the packaging.
These are the things I look out for. I wasn’t disappointed.
Safety tips and how to administer the e juice are included on a piece of paper tucked away inside the carton. It’s clear, concise and isn’t the size of a road map.
Lumo Liquids have ensured the bottles are tamperproof, sealed within heat shrink plastic. Of course the statutory child proof cap is included.
The labels have been carefully rolled during the manufacturing process. Both ends line up evenly while allowing enough space to visually check remaining juice levels.
While the outer packaging does enough to identify flavours by way of colour coding, it’s repeated on the bottle labels too.
So it looks like Lumo Liquids have literally got things wrapped up. What are the flavours of the Original C range like?
What Kit Did I Use To Test The Original C Juice Range?
I used the Kizoku Oaker MTL kit. It’s my everyday vaping device and because it’s a RTA I was able to change the wicking between each flavour.
The Kizoku Oaker has three power settings. I opted for mid strength with each profile.
It’s highly unlikely you’ll be using the same set up so for this reason my opinion may differ from yours should you decide to partake. It’s also important to remember that taste is subjective and alternative devices will have an impact on the flavour experience.
Use my thoughts and opinions as a rough guide – nothing more.
Original C – Menthol
Original C Says:
Original C Says:“Enjoy the cool and minty fresh taste. A simple but crisp and delicious original menthol”.
I say:
This one loiters!
The fresh mint back notes are given much more time to develop than the Menthol Ice version. This simple menthol vape is truly effective and ticks all the right boxes, witnessed by a fantastic ‘cool to cold’ build up during inhale.
The longer you take, the stronger the menthol blast is at the back of the throat.
The mint helps to stabilise what could easily have been an overwhelming vape and allows flavour to remain consistent every time.
Menthol is one hell of a refreshing vape. It’s one that’s likely to wake the taste buds and kick them into life. As a palate cleanser it’s ideal.
It does take a short period to soak into fresh cotton but once it does, produces a powerhouse of a kick to the senses.
I’m not the biggest fan of menthol vapes but the finely balanced mint helps make it a very pleasant vaping experience.
Highly recommended to the new vaper, longing for the days of (you guessed it) menthol cigarettes. It’s the perfect substitute and has literally left a lasting impression on me!
Original C – Tobacco
Original C Says:
Original C Says:“Get back to the original tobacco flavour with the same great rich roasted taste of the Cirro Regular Tobacco”.
I Say:
A blend of Virginia tobacco is accompanied by a welcome throat hit prompted by the 6mg of freebase nicotine. It’s a good start and emulates the draw from a cigarette realistically enough.
All these kinds of profiles offer pretty much the same taste if not combined with radically different ingredients and this one is no different. That’s not to say it doesn’t work. If anything it’s less oily or synthetic on the exhale.
It’s a sweet and rich blend that teases the taste buds. Although Tobacco is prone to linger around the nasal cavities it never becomes sickly or overpowering. To this end Original C Tobacco lifts itself marginally above other generic versions.
I would recommend this to any new vaper that’s looking for a no thrills tobacco flavour.
It gets the job done.
Original C – Cherry
Original C Says:
Original C Says:“The original Cirro cherry bomb flavour that you used to love. Sweet, tart and fresh, our cherry e liquid is the founding flavour. Perfect if you’re looking for a fruity, flavoursome vape that never grows old”.
I Say:
Flavoursome isn’t the word I’d choose to describe Cherry.
I had problems deciphering it over the course of a days vaping. It is there but in very thin measure. Maybe it was created with subtlety in mind but it failed to satiate my taste buds.
There’s more of a sourness on the exhale with a hint of fruit during the dying embers of the vape. I expected the tongue to be tickled with a sweet, fruity goodness – the kind that’s commonly associated with cherry. If it was there, I couldn’t find it.
While others may appreciate such subtle nuances, I feel a bit let down.
It’s just not tasty or vibrant enough to hold my attention.
Original C – Heisenberger
Original C Says:
Original C Says:“If you love menthol, why not try our blackberry menthol mash up?”.
I Say:
Given the name of the brand this is a bit of a cheeky one and no doubt created with tongue firmly in cheek.
Heisenberg in whichever form always takes me back to my halcyon days of vaping. When a simple CE4 clearomiser was more than sufficient. When Heisenberg was on everyone’s lips as well as taste buds. It was the flavour.
So how does the original C version hold up? Not bad, but not that great either.
It’s only natural that comparisons are bound to be made. This version lacks the crispness and vitality of Vampire Vape’s original. The level of menthol is spot on and replicates perfectly but there’s more sweetness and less fruit with Heisenberger.
The blackberry is certainly in the mix but just seems to lack the punch and clarity I was expecting.
What if a vaper is new to this e-juice and hasn’t tried the VV version? There’s every chance they’ll stick with the Original C version.
Original C – Menthol Ice
Original C Says:
Original C Says:“Original Menthol Ice offers a minty freshness with an extra icy blast for a refreshing and clean taste.”
I Say:
This one took me by complete surprise. The initial icy cold blast really hit the back of the throat during inhale. It develops on the way out, complimented by a delightfully subtle mint that caresses the taste buds – for a few brief seconds.
Menthol Ice is without doubt a palate cleanser for between other flavour profiles. At the same time it’s very refreshing without overloading the taste buds.
The strength of the menthol subsides in favour of cooling agent. This in itself makes for a refreshing change.
Longer inhales make for a more effective vape but also come with a caveat.
The cooling blast will linger around the throat and especially the nasal cavities. Some may appreciate this, others may turn their nose up at it.
I like it, personally.
Original C – Strawberry
Original C Says:
Original C Says:“A fruity and sweet flavour that we all know and love. Strawberry is juicy fresh with its ever so slightly tangy taste”.
I Say:
This is about as generic as they come and it’s certainly a single flavour profile. The strawberry is a bit synthetic and artificial but still tries to play the popularity card as a fruit.
So there are many different takes on Strawberry as a vape. What’s the Original C one like?
It’s not a fresh or mouth-watering strawberry and if anything a bit on the dry side during the exhale. The sweetness factor helps to retain interest and instead of leaning towards a candy like edge, reminds me of those old bootlace sweets.
There’s certainly a gummy like after taste.
When all’s said and done, Strawberry does what it says on the 10ml bottle.
Original C – Blueberry
Original C Says:
Original C Says:“Bursting with the beloved berry flavour, this e liquid provides the perfect balance between the sweetness of blueberry and vapour production”.
I Say:
I’m not generally a fan of blueberry vapes in simple, generic form. I enjoy them when mixed with more complex recipes such as a blueberry cinnamon muffin. They’re usually an acrid, overpowering affair and the same applies to the Original C version if I’m honest.
It’s not all bad news though. It’s not quite as harsh on the inhale as other versions and does manage to hold a consistent flavour on the exhale. I Know it’s a funny way of describing it but the “warm exhale of hairspray” syndrome continues to haunt the profile.
The levels of sourness don’t help either. I’m not a fan of sour vapes and they rarely work for me. The back notes are always pungent and cringe worthy.
So to conclude, Blueberry offers no real surprises. I’d still say it’s marginally better than others on the market.
It’s never going to be my all day vape. That’s not to say it won’t to appeal to others less demanding of their fruity flavours.
Original C – Very Berry (Blended)
Original C Says:
Original C Says:“Discover the dark fruit fusion with Original Very Berry e liquid. It’s a perfect blend of berries and the perfect choice to satisfy your sweet tooth”.
I Say:
Very Berry is something of a masterstroke.
Why?
Because it contains a perfect blend of fruits such as Blackcurrant, Blackberry and Raspberry. The predominant fruit is Raspberry but that takes nothing away from the others.
Working in unison they deliver a very satisfactory level of sweetness and that’s what kept me coming back for more.
There are many alternative versions on the market that claim to be similar but the majority always seem to contain a candy like edge. That’s not the case with Very Berry.
The vape is very tasty and consistent. None of the included concentrates fade away during exhale which in my opinion is a sign of good mixing.
I found Very Berry to be very enjoyable as an all-day vape. I’ll be returning to it during the long Summer months because it’s quite mouth-watering.
Original C Vape Juice – Final Review Verdict
If we take these creations for what they are, and Original C clearly state they’re single flavour offerings then there’s very little to fault.
Ok, they fall short in terms of originality but Very Berry comes very close to offering something quite unique.
However, I may have received Very Berry by mistake as it actually belongs to their blended range.
..I’d love to try the rest now purely on the strength of that one!
Original C succeed by lowering the volume of their concentrate. As a consequence this makes the range less sickly or overpowering in the way other mass manufactured generic flavours tend to be.
Where possible I’ve tried to unlock potential differences between the Original C range and other similar (and familiar) generic versions on the market.
I’ve done the best I can to base my scores on individual merit, flavour quality and vapour production – not that easy given I’ve been vaping generic profiles for the last eight years, on and off.
That reminds me! The vapour production from each is a cut above. Very good in fact, but that won’t necessarily bode well when a stealthy approach is required.
To conclude, the Original C range is highly suited to a new or casual vaper. Those using a low powered starter kit, those more concerned with kicking the cigs than worrying about flavour tones and multi layering.
In this respect they work as a good introduction into the world of all things vapable and for many may well be an all-day vape.
Sometimes the simplest things are the most effective..
