Disclaimer: This E-liquid was provided to me free of charge for the purpose of conducting a review. This fact notwithstanding, I will, as best I'm able, provide an honest, accurate and unbiased assessment of this product.
Blackcurrant Mivvi is a frosty, blackcurrant flavoured e-liquid by The Alchemist's Cupboard. http://www.thealchemistscupboard.co.uk/ Mivvi's were an ice confectionery, originally made by Lyons Maid. They had a fruit flavoured, ice outer shell with an ice cream centre on a paddle pop (Popsicle or craft) stick. Lyons Maid http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyons_Maid was a spin-off from British company, J. Lyons and Co. which in turn was a spin-off from Salmon and Gluckstein which was a tobacco company.
The Alchemist says that "he loved the Strawberry Mivvi Lollies as a child, so he set out to try and recreate the taste sensation... and along the way (decided to) improve on a good thing and extend the flavour range to include blackcurrant, orange, raspberry, banana, grape, pineapple, strawberry and blueberry" variations. http://www.thealchemistscupboard.co.uk/product/mivvi
Blackcurrant Mivvi is available in 10 (£4.20), 30 (£11.65) and 50ml (£19.10) bottles at nicotine strengths of 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24mg and a PG/VG ratio of 60/40.
The bottle is an easily squeezed, clear plastic with a white, childproof, screw top cap. The label contains the following information: the brand name, the name of the E-liquid, toxicity warnings in the form of a skull and crossbones graphic, storage and handling instructions, medical advice in case of poisoning, a tactile warning triangle which complies with EU regulations regarding the storage and handling of toxic substances, an ingredients list, liquid quantity in ml, nicotine content in mg, a reference number (which I assume is the batch number), a bottle date, a best used by date, the Alchemist's Cupboard website address and the company's telephone number.
The liquid itself is a near opaque Brunswick Green http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shades_of_green#Brunswick_green, has the consistency of a light oil and an aroma approximating fresh berries.
I'm vaping Blackcurrant Mivvi in an Igo-L on a mechanical mod with an 18650 battery. As I inhale there's no sense of sweetness or flavour to speak of but there is a subtle sensation of warm softness on the tongue. The first prominent sensation is the coolness of Koolada (a derivative of menthol which imparts the coolness but not the flavour of menthol which leaves the primary flavour to which it's added, intact) at the back of the throat, which begins mildly but builds in intensity the longer I draw. As the breath begins to turn from inhalation to exhalation the flavour of blackcurrant emerges, and as the breath flows out the blackcurrant and Koolada marry into one agreeably refreshing flavour. The aftertaste consists of the slowly diminishing effect of the Koolada at the back of the throat and the somewhat dwarfed blackcurrant throughout the rest of the mouth. There is a slight metallic tang around the gums and teeth which is not at all unwelcome.
Throat hit is fairly mild for an 18mg juice but the frosty hit of the Koolada is significant. Vapour production is good, but varies on my Igo-L depending on how loaded the wick is with liquid. Nevertheless, for a 60/40 PG/VG liquid, the vapour is entirely satisfactory.
I think Alchemist's Cupboard have made a valiant effort at reproducing not just the taste of a Mivvi, but also the sensation of the cold ice-cream in the mouth and throat. I want to see a lot more of this type of approach to the reproduction of flavour and mouthfeel in the e-liquid industry. I'm not sure in this particular instance that it entirely succeeds because the flavour of the blackcurrant gets lost in the frostiness of the Koolada. If I were to purchase Blackcurrant Mivvi I would request a double or triple shot of the fruit flavouring and added sweetener. As we all know taste is subjective, so Blackcurrant Mivvi may work perfectly for you. I encourage you to try it for yourself.
