Thanks again out to Alan from Capella, who always gets these sent out, sometimes before they’re released. 3 more new flavors from Capella. I will update the main post with these tests for easier reading, and as well down here. All were sent out from Alan for the purpose of this review, and will be tested at 4%, in a 70v/30p/3mg base, tested on the SteamCrave RDTA with dual vertical Kanthal coils. Fresh KGD cotton before every test, and tested at 65 watts.
Guarana (CAP) 4% (9-18-24) – Having never eaten a Guarana, nor being a big fan of energy drinks where it is used frequently, this one was a very interesting flavor to test. This flavor was actually quite unique, and presented as a very light, somewhat fruity apple, with an almost soda like fizzy-ness, and a slightly bitter citrus finish. Now the finish was really hard to nail down, as I called it a citrus finish, but it didn’t taste like lemon or lime, but strangely enough, more like a blank canvas citrus finish. VERY hard to explain, but it was a great finish for the flavor. At 4% it was still a somewhat light(er) flavor, and could benefit from a slightly higher single flavor percentage. The apple was fairly red, but not a juicy red delicious, but really more like an apple soda, with a very slight, but good fizzy aspect. Sweetness was just below mid level, and it was an interesting flavor. I don’t think I have any on my shelves quite like this one. Tasty, fresh, somewhat soda-like, and with a citrus edge, with some fizzy-ness is what this one was. Even though it was a somewhat lighter flavor, it was hard to fault this one, with no off-notes, and about the only “want” would have been a little more presence, which might easily be remedied by a slight strength increase. Very good, and decided to leave it at a high 9.0/10 rating.
Maracuja (CAP) 4% (9-20-24) – Having never technically eaten a Maracuja, and researching it a bit, it seemed like there was a lot of confusion that Maracujas were Passion Fruit. It appears as if there ARE some differences. Needless to say, they were similar, but the Maracuja had some interesting profile differences when testing. It did taste somewhat like a typical PF, but it had a very good, citrus-y, and slightly acidic back note to it. This one tasted a lot more fresh, and refreshing than a regular PF. The citrus aspects never fully pulled Lemon or Lime, but were clearly there, and really did have a little acidity/tart which helped kick it off. At 4% it was still a somewhat light flavor, but didn’t scream for more. No off-notes or complaints, and sweetness was a few ticks below mid-level. All in, it was a lighter, fresher, and tarty-er version of a PF. Freshly placing this one fairly high at a 9.5/10.
Pistacho (CAP) 4% (9-22-24) – Last one on deck from Alan at Capella. Right out of the gate, I could tell this one was going to be good. Smelled very authentic in the bottle, and that continued throught the testing. Wow, Capella did a really good job capturing a natural Pistachio with this one. I could almost taste the “green” in it. Now, about the only issue I had would be it was just a bit sweeter than I would have liked, but THAT, was it. P’s can be somewhat sweet, but not sweetened. This one was just at about mid-level sweet, and while I couldn’t call it sweetened, or candied, it leaned just a bit on the sweet side. Beyond that single “thing”, the rest of it was stellar. Sweet, savory, nutty, and with a hint of earthy-ness that did help sell it. Not too heavy in any of the aforementioned, but just enough, and all the nuances worked in harmony.
It wasn’t creamed, or creamy, but there was a lighter, almost creamy aspect to it. No shells, no skins, but beyond that, it WAS in here. Very authentic, and natural tasting with no off-notes or complaints, with the exception of the slightly sweeter-ness of it. I spent extra time with this one, trying to find something to complain about, but I couldn’t. At 4% it was very rich, and full, and didn’t feel like it needed any more. It was on the higher “mid” level of saturation. Having bled the last tester dry before writing this, I think I’m going to mix up two testers with some custard, and sugar cookie, just to enjoy it even more. Very good, and rating it high, with only the slightly higher than expected sweetness to complain about, at a 9.6/10. Put it in your cart, and get your “green” on.
