I was fortunate to chat with the the creative husband and wife team Kay and John Russell-Iliffe at the recent VapeFest and was struck by the extraordinary e-liquids they have created.
Crystal Cloudz is owned and run by the couple with Kay coming up with the ideas and magic mixer John bringing her ideas to life.
Kay is a reiki master and appreciates first-hand the powers of crystals particularly when it comes to healing.
Each e-juice flavour is named after a crystal and the ingredients are inspired by the individual crystals properties.
The wonderfully warm couple packed up the fags years ago after a major health scare and took to vaping instantly.
Within a few weeks John decided to try his hand at mixing his own e-liquids and so good were they – friends and family began asking him to make more so they could enjoy them too.
Since then Crystal Cloudz has gone from strength to strength however, the arrival of the TPD (Tobacco Products Directive) has forced them to reign in the range of juices they sell – mainly due to cost of production and compliance.
Kay said:
“We’ve decided for now to only offer our top four best sellers. We are making sure they are TPD compliant and despite outsourcing to a state of the art lab we make sure its our recipes and mixing process used so nothing is lost in the manufacturing process.”
I absolutely loved the four Crystal Cloudz e-liquids I sampled at VapeFest and Kay was kind enough to give me the full range to review.
For the purpose of this e-liquid review I have used my Innokin CoolFireIV TC100 with Aspire Cleito tank using separate coils for each juice.
All four Crystal Cloudz e-liquids have a 70% VG to 30% PG mix and I chose my favoured strength – 3mg of pharmaceutical grade nicotine.
Dragons Egg
Given the name I was expecting a bit of a kick to this juice and I wasn’t let down.
On the inhale is a wondrous fusion of pear and sweet orange that is so moorish you really want it to stay on your tongue for a while but the kick comes on the exhale.
I have never tried dragon fruit in the flesh so to speak but after tasting this e-liquid I have asked my bewildered corner shop dude to get some in lol.
The taste is very reminiscent of say a grapefruit covered in spices and transferred to it’s e-liquid form the effect is nothing short of miraculous.
A very different fruit fusion that is a must try!
Spinel
I remember as a kid my granddad used to have half a grapefruit for his breakfast and I always demanded a try.
Eventually, he let me and I can still remember the sharp tart taste that left my eyes scrunched up and taste buds literally bleeding whilst he howled with laughter.
If you’re thinking the grapefruit flavoured Spinel e-liquid had the same effect you’d be very very wrong – this sauce is the nectar of the Gods and then some!
There’s just enough tartness you’d expect with grapefruit but such is John’s mixing skills there’s a clean sweet pleasing exhale that has you going back for more – an extremely refreshing palate cleansing vape!
Red Sardonyx
I’m not a great fan of dessert vapes however I do like me mango!
This is a fresh and just sweet enough (for my vaping taste) combination of mango and passion fruit with a to die for exhale and undertone of the most exquisite mix of cream and ice cream.
Have I mention that John has the magical mixing touch? This proves it beyond any doubt – he’s absolutely nailed this e-liquid.
Think of a Caribbean holiday and that delicious tropical fruit salad with just enough sweet ice cream that was so tasty and looked so good you shared a photo of it on Facebook – it is a taste sensation!
Kyanite
When it comes to my personal tastes in e-liquids it tends to be fruits all the way.
I’m not a great fan of menthol vape juice flavours at all so looking at the ingredients of Crystal Cloudz Kyanite e-juice had me wrinkling my nose a little – until I tasted it.
Your mouth is suddenly filled with ripe to burst raspberries and blueberries before the gentlest of sweet peppermint (I think) washes the fruit away leaving your mouth and tongue clean and fresh.
Yet another subtle but genius mix that I absolutely adore. So much so I have vaped this juice all week and for the first time in a long time have found none of my other go to e-liquids quite come up to the taste profile I’ve enjoyed.
For me this is their standout e-liquid and one I urge you to taste – it’s delish!
