Last Updated on February 14, 2016 by
Affordable Vapor – The Viceroy Interview
SPINFUEL: Welcome to the pages of Spinfuel. We’ve been looking forward to talking to you. Would you like to introduce yourselves to our readers?
KAI: Hi, my name is Kai Pfretzschner, Co Owner of Affordable Vapor, maker of Viceroy and Solo E Liquids.
SPINFUEL: What position(s) do you hold in the company?
KAI: Co Owner and mixologist.
SPINFUEL: Getting down to business; who or what inspired you to get into the e-juice business? When was that?
KAI: I discovered vaping a little over two years ago and wasn’t very impressed with the quality of liquid available at that time. So, after learning all about e liquids and coming up with a couple of great tasting liquids, I decided to put my real estate job on hold and give this new venture a try. 🙂
SPINFUEL: Where are you located? What’s the local and state level situation there with respect to electronic cigarettes? What’s the “attitude” of the people there about eCigarettes?
KAI: We are located in Cape Coral Florida, the south west part of the state. There isn’t a lot regulations down here as of yet-no flavor restrictions and small stores are still allowed to mix their juice on site- which isn’t very good. But, people vape A LOT down here and you see more people vaping than you would see people smoking. Alot of restaurants started to ban vaping inside but that’s about all the restrictions I can think of at this time.
SPINFUEL: When you launched your company how did you decide on your first flavor or “set” of flavors?
KAI: Our first line was the SOLO line. We decided to offer a wide selection of great tasting flavors that were designed for every e cig and tank.
Shortly after that, we added our Viceroy Max VG line which took of right away. We crafted Viceroy as a dessert line with 5 custard and dessert based flavors.
SPINFUEL: It seems that no matter how many eLiquid vendors we review, they all have their own “signature” recipes. Each brand is different, which I find remarkable, and exciting. With just a handful of ingredients each company is able to create their own specific traits. How would you describe your signature?
KAI: Our signature is bold, sweet flavors that impress in their complexity. Our signature flavor is definitely our KING flavor of the viceroy line that started to get a cult following with all of our local customers and shops.
SPINFUEL: We steep all the eLiquids we receive for review purposes, even if we’re told there is no need to do so. Do you steep your eLiquids before they are shipped to customers? If so, how long do they sit before you ship them out? If you do not, do you suggest that customers ‘home steep’ them before vaping?
KAI: We steep each batch produced for at least 1 week to allow the flavors to develop.
SPINFUEL: What’s the best way, in your opinion, for customers to ‘steep’ eLiquids at home? Do you have an area in your facility where your liquids go to steep?
KAI: We would recommend a place without direct sun light and steady temperature but not too low.
SPINFUEL: Let’s talk about packaging. How are your eLiquids packaged?
KAI: Our liquids come in an either 15ml, 30ml or 120ml clear glass bottles with tamper and child proof dropper.
SPINFUEL: There is a lot of concern these days about how and where eLiquids are being made. Could you describe your ‘mixing’ area? Where do you do your mixing, bottling, and shipping?
KAI: Safety and quality is our first priority! We created an ISO 7 clean room to blend all of our liquids. We also use medical grade filling machines to streamline the process. The lab itself is temperature and air controlled to make sure that all packaging of the liquids is done to the highest standard.
SPINFUEL: How do you make sure your mixing tools and containers are kept clean and sterile?
KAI: We have dishwasher like cleaners installed in our lab areas to sanitize the equipment.
SPINFUEL: Safety is also a huge factor today. What kind of measures do you take to make sure that your e-juice is safe to consume? What methods do you use to prevent contamination or other factors that can harm your product?
KAI: Each batch gets tested for nicotine level and flavor before it gets sent over to the medical grade filling machine which makes sure that the liquid gets bottled without any cross contamination.
SPINFUEL: What assurances do you have to make sure the nicotine levels in your individual bottles of e-Liquid are what they are supposed to be?
KAI: We test every batch before it gets bottled to make sure it has the right level of nicotine and after that it gets bottled and labeled.
SPINFUEL: Does your crew wear any type of special clothing when they are mixing?
KAI: All lab workers wear lab coats, gloves and mouth covers.
SPINFUEL: Do you have a specific audience in mind for your eLiquids? In other words, are your eJuices best used with cartomizers, tanks, and clearomizers? Are they blended for dripping, or subohm coils?
KAI: Viceroy is designed for dippers and sub ohm tanks. With it’s high VG content and complex flavor profile, it’s perfect for the Beginner with a Atlantis tank or the advanced guy using a custom wrapped coil!
SPINFUEL: What types of hardware do you use when testing your liquids? Is there any specific hardware that provides the best ‘vape’ for your eLiquids?
KAI: We test our liquids with several different drippers and also in the most common sub ohm tanks such as Aspire and Kangertech. I personally vape my Viceroy King in my Atlantis 2 on a Sigelei 150.
SPINFUEL: How do you make sure that your flavors are always consistent, that each batch or bottle delivers the same flavor time after time?
KAI: We mix in batches and measure every flavor concentrate down to the milliliter.
SPINFUEL: Something that as always had me wondering; How does a professional eLiquid artist make sure that their flavors taste the same no matter what the PG/VG ratio?
KAI: Viceroy is only available in MAX VG. But if you would want the same sweet taste you get from a high VG content, you would have to adjust your flavor concentrate ratios and maybe even add a sweetener.
SPINFUEL: Does nicotine levels affect the flavor of your eliquids?
KAI: We tried very hard to avoid that and I think we succeeded with the choice of nicotine and brand of flavor concentrates-you can’t really taste it even in our higher nicotine liquids.
SPINFUEL: Were you a smoker before you switched to vaping? If so, what made you decide to quit smoking?
KAI: I never smoked, but since my dad passed away from cancer due to his heavy smoking habit with only 48 years old I’m seeing vaping has something that can get people off cigarettes and provide a healthier alternative for them. We receive lots of emails from people telling us how proud they are being able to quit smoking after 20,30,40 years which I think is amazing and it makes me feel like we are playing a part of helping them being healthier.
SPINFUEL: How often do you vape? How many hours per day?
KAI: I’m always trying new flavors and working on new creations. I probably vape about 6 -8 hours a day, with and without nic.
SPINFUEL: Do you have a “favorite” flavor? What is your favorite category of eLiquids for your personal vaping? Fruity, tobacco-based, sweet, and so forth?
KAI: I love our Viceroy King! I’m in love with sweet dessert flavors that are easy on the palate and don’t get too aggressive after vaping awhile.
SPINFUEL: What makes a good eLiquid? In other words, what order of importance are flavor, vapor, and throat hit in your e-Liquids?
KAI: In my opinion, a good e liquid has to have a layer of flavors. You have to be able to still taste every flavor. Let’s say you vape it around 20-30 watts you will taste all the creamy flavors but when you go up to 60-70 watt you will be able to taste all the nuttier flavors. It’s amazing how different e liquid can taste being vaped at different temperature.
SPINFUEL: Where do you think the ecigarette industry is headed? Do you have any predictions on the upcoming FDA regulations?
KAI: In my opinion, vaping will take over smoking cigarettes in a matter of years. It’s expanding and gaining followers every day from any age group. I think the FDA should set standards for manufacturing so we can get rid of ejuice being made in store fronts with guys wearing no gloves using a nicotine pump.
SPINFUEL: Why should our readers buy their e-juice from you?
KAI: We put pride in making our juice at the highest level of safety, and have a passion for excellent flavors 🙂
SPINFUEL: Is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers while you have their complete attention?
KAI: Give us a try and let us know what you think about our Viceroy line 🙂
SPINFUEL: I can’t thank you enough for talking with us today, even if it is through email. We really enjoyed your eLiquids and we look forward to arranging a “sequel” down the road!! 🙂
KAI: My pleasure.
END
Read the Spinfuel eLiquid Review Team’s Viceroy Max VG Review
