As you sit down to research the best menthol e-liquid, the first thing you may notice is the extraordinary number of options on the market. You have tobacco menthol vape juice, which combines tobacco and menthol flavorings.
Then you have menthol e liquids that don’t mention tobacco flavoring at all. And don’t forget the mint flavour e liquids say nothing about menthol or tobacco – but may give you loads of options that range from peppermint candy to things like cherry watermelon ice. Where to even begin?
Begin right here. Our guide to choosing the best menthol e-liquid helps you narrow down your options to find the menthol vape liquid that aligns with your tastes, preferences – and even the type of vaping device you use.
Understanding Menthol E-Liquid Basics
When it comes to menthol e-liquids, understanding the basics can help you choose the vaping option that’s best for you. Basic considerations include:
- Menthol flavoring
- Nicotine levels
- Vaping liquid formulations
The Unique Appeal of Menthol Flavors
Menthol has a unique appeal, and not just because of its crisp and refreshing taste. Adding menthol flavoring to tobacco or vaping products actually enhances the sensory pleasure of the products, allowing people to take longer, smoother, deeper draws with minimal throat irritation.
Naturally derived from spearmint, peppermint and other mint plants, menthol has both cooling and pain-reducing properties. It’s also been one of the most popular flavors since tobacco companies started adding it to products in the 1920s.
Menthol and mint rank in the top four e-liquid flavors as well, right behind the sweet flavors of fruit, candy and desserts.
A variety of menthol and mint e-liquid flavors are on the market. Note that vaping liquids with mint flavoring are not necessarily the same thing as menthol vaping liquids.
- Menthol vaping liquids will specifically contain the chemical compound of menthol, which is derived naturally from a variety of mint plants. Menthol can also be produced synthetically, although the best menthol e liquids will stick with the natural variety.
- Mint-flavored vaping liquids may simply contain a dash of natural or artificial mint flavoring.
The menthol and mint vaping liquids on the market run the gamut from natural menthol tobacco flavor all the way to peppermint candy. You’ll also find a range of flavors with the word “ice” added to the description, which typically indicates the base flavor has been enhanced with a burst of mint.
Examples here can include flavors like Iced Lemonade, Strawmelon Ice, Bubblegum Ice and Candy King on Ice. As enticing as the “ice” designation may seem, chances are high the vaping liquids contain a sweetened minty flavor rather than genuine menthol extract.
Nicotine Strengths in Menthol E-Liquids
Menthol e liquids come in a variety of nicotine strengths. The level of nicotine in the vaping liquid largely depends on the specific formulation you choose. Lower nicotine strengths work best with standard vaping liquids, while higher nicotine strengths can be found in what are known as nicotine salts.
The nicotine in menthol vaping liquids is measured in mg/ml, or milligrams per milliliter. If a menthol e liquid has a nicotine strength of 3 mg/ml, that means it contains 3 milligrams of nicotine for every 1 milliliter of liquid.
Standard menthol vaping liquids contain a combination of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). Standard vaping liquids generally come in a range of nicotine strengths that include:
- 0 mg/ml
- 3 mg/ml
- 6 mg/ml
- 12 mg/ml
- 18 mg/ml
Menthol nicotine salts, also called salt nicotine, are where you’ll find higher levels of nicotine. Here you can find a range of nicotine levels that include:
- 20 mg/ml
- 30 mg/ml
- 50 mg/ml
Salt nicotine is a solution comprised of PG, VG and one or more acids. The acids decrease the pH levels of the formulation, ensuring a smoother delivery of higher levels of nicotine.
Standard vaping liquids typically have a pH of about 7 or 8. Higher levels of nicotine in standard e-liquid formulations would likely be irritating to the throat.
How do I know what nicotine strength to choose?
If your goal is to trade menthol cigarettes for menthol vaping liquid, choosing the right nicotine strength can start with determining your current nicotine intake.
Heavier smokers that consume at least one pack of cigarettes per day may want to start with the higher nicotine levels found in the nicotine salts. Those who smoke less frequently may be comfortable starting with the lower nicotine levels found in the standard menthol vaping liquids.
No matter where you start, the ultimate goal can be to gradually decrease the nicotine levels in your menthol e-liquid until you are at zero nicotine – followed by zero need to vape.
PG/VG Ratios in Menthol E-Liquids
Propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) are the two main components in standard menthol vaping liquids. Both liquids are safe and widely used for carrying flavors in a number of consumable products.
- PG is a flavorless, thinner liquid that carries the flavor of the vaping liquid
- VG is a sweet, thicker liquid that also helps carry the flavor while producing the vaping clouds
The ratio of PG to VG plays a role in the vaping experience. Choices include:
- 50/50, or 50vg/50pg
- 70/30, or 70vg/30pg
The menthol 50vg/50pg formulation contains 50% vegetable glycerin and 50% propylene glycol. This ratio delivers an ideal balance of throat hit, taste and clouds for the mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping style. It’s most compatible with coils > 0.8 ohms and devices that do not exceed 20 watts.
The menthol 70vg/30pg formulation contains 70% vegetable glycerin and 30% propylene glycol. This ratio is preferable for those who desire a more noticeable throat hit and thicker clouds. This ratio is ideal for the direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping style. It’s best for high-wattage devices and sub-ohm coils of < 0.8 ohm.
Menthol nicotine salts contain VG, PG and the additional ingredient of benzoic acid. Salt nicotine formulations are best used with mouth-to-lung devices with higher-resistance coils of 8.0 ohms or higher. It is recommended that devices used with menthol salt nicotine do not exceed 15 watts.
Click here to learn more about Best Vaping Alternatives for Newport Menthol Smokers
Black Note’s Menthol E-Liquids
If you’re looking for an authentic menthol vaping experience, Black Note serves up a variety of options. You’ll find a range of strengths to match every preference, both in the way of nicotine levels and intensity of the menthol kick and taste.
Smooth and Subtle: Ultra Lights Menthol (Silver Label)
Similar to Marlboro Menthol Silver or Salem Silver, our Ultra Lights Menthol vaping liquid delivers a smooth, subtle mintiness. It’s available in the lowest nicotine levels across the board:
- 3 mg and 6 mg nicotine in the 50/50 vaping liquid formulation
- 3 mg and 6 mg nicotine in the 70/30 vaping liquid formulation
- 20 mg nicotine in the menthol nicotine salt formulation
Balanced Menthol Sensation: Lights Menthol (Gold Label)
Reminiscent of Newport Lights, Kool Mild or Marlboro Menthol Gold, Black Note’s Lights Menthol Marlboro delivers a balanced menthol sensation. This is where you’ll find medium-strength nicotine levels:
- 12 mg nicotine in the 50/50 vaping liquid formulation
- 12 mg nicotine in the 70/30 vaping liquid formulation
- 30 mg nicotine in the menthol nicotine salt formulation
Intense Menthol Kick: Full Flavors Menthol (Green Label)
The intense menthol kick of our Full Flavors Menthol is akin to Newport Original (Classic), Kool Filter Kings or Marlboro Menthol Black. The highest nicotine levels align with this robust menthol vaping liquid:
- 18 mg nicotine in the 50/50 vaping liquid formulation
- 18 mg nicotine in the 70/30 vaping liquid formulation
- 50 mg nicotine in the menthol nicotine salt formulation
VAPE GUIDE
New to Vaping or Black Note?
Whether you're transitioning from smoking to vaping or seeking an upgrade to natural tobacco e-liquids, Black Note has you covered. Our quick, 15-second quiz and comprehensive guide are tailored to help both smokers and current vapers discover their ideal natural vaping alternatives.
Unique Features of Black Note’s Menthol Vape Liquids
As you’ve probably already surmised, not all menthol e liquids are created equal. Black Note may be one of the few that offers high-quality, natural menthol e liquid in a variety of formulations with different nicotine and menthol strengths.
But that’s not the only feature that makes Black Note menthol vaping liquid truly unique. Additional factors include:
- Natural extraction process: The tobacco flavor in our menthol vaping liquid is extracted from organic Virginia tobacco leaves. The menthol we use is likewise naturally extracted. It comes from the Mentha arvensis plant and is free from the carcinogen pulegone.
- No artificial anything: With natural tobacco and menthol extracts, we have no need to include artificial flavors, colors or other additives. Even the freebase nicotine we use is sourced from tobacco leaves, not synthetically produced. The purity levels of our nicotine exceed standards put forth by both the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) and the European Pharmacopoeia (EP).
- Safety standards: Black Note menthol e liquid aligns with our clean juice philosophy. That means it’s free from pulegone as well as diacetyl, acetyl, ethylene glycol, propionyl, diethylene glycol, acetoin and acrolein.
- Quality assurance: Our nine-step creation process ensures the utmost quality every step along the way. Crafted in small batches, our menthol e liquid consistently delivers the optimum natural vaping experience.
Choosing the Right Black Note Menthol E-Liquid
With so many Black Note tobacco menthol vape juice options, it may seem daunting to determine the best menthol e liquid for you. But it’s really not. In fact, you can narrow down the ideal choice by focusing on two key factors:
- The intensity of the menthol flavor and experience
- The nicotine strength
Menthol Intensity
- For the strongest menthol kick, our Full Flavor Menthol vaping liquid is the way to go.
- For a balanced menthol experience, opt for our Lights Menthol experience.
- For a subtle minty crispness, Black Note Ultra Lights Menthol is an ideal choice.
Nicotine Strength
Our formulations are crafted to align the nicotine levels with the menthol intensity. The higher the flavor intensity, the higher the nicotine strength. The same holds true on the opposite end of the scale, with a more subtle menthol flavor aligned with lower nicotine strengths.
- Highest nicotine strength: Full Flavor Menthol contains 18 mg/ml of nicotine in our standard e liquids, 50 mg/ml of nicotine in our salt nicotine formulation.
- Mid-level nicotine strength: The Black Note Lights Menthol comes with 12 mg/ml of nicotine in the standard formulations and 30 mg/ml of nicotine in our menthol nicotine salts.
- Lowest nicotine strength: The Ultra Lights Menthol is available in our standard vaping liquid formulations containing up to 6 mg/ml of nicotine and salt nicotine containing 20 mg/ml of nicotine.
In short, determining the nicotine and menthol strength can help you pinpoint the best menthol e liquid for you:
- Full Flavors Menthol: Highest menthol flavor, highest nicotine strength
- Lights Menthol: Balanced menthol flavor, mid-level nicotine strength
- Ultra Lights Menthol: Most subtle menthol flavor, lowest nicotine strength
Also keep in mind that our menthol nicotine salts contain the highest levels of nicotine. Heavier smokers often start with nicotine salts, gradually decreasing the nicotine strength.
They may then transition from menthol salt nicotine to our standard vaping liquids, which have even lower nicotine levels. When they continue the gradual decreasing of both the nicotine and menthol strengths, they may find it easier to quit vaping altogether.
The Sensory Experience of Menthol Vaping
Menthol vaping is often described as cool, refreshing, minty, crisp – and those designations don’t just apply to the taste. They likewise extend to the entire sensory experience.
That’s because menthol produces a cooling sensation while decreasing the sensitivity to pain. This combination can be particularly enjoyable on the throat, where it reduces the harshness and increases the smoothness of the hit.
This sensory experience actively decreases the potential irritation from vaping liquids with higher nicotine strengths, and it’s also a plus for e-liquids with lower nicotine strengths.
As people gradually decrease nicotine strengths, they are slowly relinquishing the nicotine. But they don’t have to relinquish the cool, crisp, refreshing experience that accompanies the best menthol e liquids.
The best menthol e liquids are those created with actual menthol, or the natural extract from the mint plant. Mint flavour e liquid is not going to make the cut. Even the best mint vape flavor won’t deliver the full sensory experience unless it contains actual menthol.
Health Considerations for Menthol Vape Liquids
While menthol vaping may feel crisp, clean and bursting with flavor, it also comes with a few health considerations that are important to note.
- Pulegone: While Black Note menthol vaping liquids do not contain pulegone, other menthol e liquids might. Pulegone is a carcinogen found in certain mint oil extracts; it can also be produced synthetically.
- Effect on Nicotinic Receptors: Nicotine binds to the nicotinic receptors in the brain, and menthol has been shown to create more of them. This can make the brain more dependent on both nicotine and menthol.
- Alteration of Nicotine Metabolism: Menthol has also been shown to alter nicotine metabolism, elevating the amount of nicotine available to the body.
- Impact on Pulmonary Surfactant: Menthol can have a detrimental impact on the functioning of the pulmonary surfactant, which is the fluid that lines the lungs’ alveolar surface.
Is there an e-liquid that tastes like Newport Menthol?
Yes. Black Note Menthol Tobacco E-Liquid (Solo) can be considered as an alternative to Newport Menthol cigarettes. The combination of natural tobacco extract and natural mint extract deliver a true menthol experience. As the best vape for menthol smokers, our menthol e liquid comes in three different strengths that align with different Newport Menthol options:
- Newport Original Menthol: Black Note Full Flavors Menthol gives you the most robust menthol kick and highest nicotine levels.
- Newport Smooth Select Menthol: Our Lights Menthol delivers a balanced menthol flavor with a mid-level nicotine strength.
- Newport Lights Menthol: Black Note Lights Menthol is a solid choice here as well, as is our Ultra Lights Menthol. The latter provides a subtle mintiness with the lowest nicotine strengths.
FAQ’s
Is there a difference between mint and menthol e-liquid?
Yes. The best menthol vaping liquids will actually contain menthol, a compound found in the mint plant. Black Note uses natural menthol extract combined with natural tobacco. This delivers a minty taste as well as the sensory experience of genuine menthol.
Mint e-liquids, on the other hand, may simply contain natural or artificial mint flavoring. While you may get a hint of a mint taste, you are not apt to get the menthol sensory experience. You may also find many of the mint flavors are sweetened and mingled with other flavors. A flavor billed as “Watermelon Ice,” for instance, is a far cry from Black Notes’ natural menthol e-liquid.
Do menthol vapes taste like mint?
Yes. As a compound extracted from mint plants, menthol naturally gives rise to a minty flavor. The natural mint flavor from genuine menthol is crisp and clean, unlike the sugary or sweet artificial mint flavorings used in mint-flavored vaping liquids.
Does menthol vape juice burn coils faster?
No. If you are vaping a menthol vaping liquid crafted from natural mint extract and natural tobacco, your coils are likely to function beautifully. Coils burn out faster when they are subjected to e-liquids containing artificial sweeteners, which tend to gunk up the coils by caramelizing when heated.
Coils can also burn out more quickly from chain vaping, not being primed or properly soaked before use, or using too high a wattage.
What vape juice tastes most like menthol cigarettes?
If you’re going for a taste similar to menthol cigarettes, the best menthol e-liquid is one that combines natural tobacco extract with natural mint extract. The tobacco and menthol combination automatically provides the same flavor components found in traditional cigarettes.
Mint or menthol vaping liquid that lacks the tobacco component are not the best vape for menthol smokers because it doesn’t deliver the traditional cigarette flavor.
Is there an e-liquid that tastes like Newport Menthol?
Yes. Black Note Menthol Tobacco E-Liquid (Solo) is reminiscent of Newport Menthol cigarettes. The combination of natural tobacco extract and natural mint extract deliver a true menthol experience. As the best vape for menthol smokers, our menthol e liquid comes in three different strengths that align with different Newport Menthol options:
- Newport Original Menthol: Black Note Full Flavors Menthol gives you the most robust menthol kick and highest nicotine levels.
- Newport Smooth Select Menthol: Our Lights Menthol delivers a balanced menthol flavor with a mid-level nicotine strength.
- Newport Lights Menthol: Black Note Lights Menthol is a solid choice here as well, as is our Ultra Lights Menthol. The latter provides a subtle mintiness with the lowest nicotine strengths.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve perused our guide to choosing the best menthol e liquid, you have a solid foundation for moving forward. You have an understanding of menthol e-liquid basics, along with knowledge of menthol’s unique appeal and health considerations.
You’ve gotten a rundown on the different nicotine and menthol strengths available in menthol vape juices, along with a crash course on different formulations. You’ve also learned that mint flavour e liquid and tobacco menthol vape juice are distinctly different things.
You now know tobacco menthol vape juice is the best vape for menthol smokers who want to retain the sensory experience that comes with the menthol territory. That sensory experience is retained, even when nicotine strength is reduced, potentially making it easier to gradually decrease the brain’s dependence on nicotine.
The bottom line is you’ve learned a lot about choosing the best menthol vaping liquid for your specific tastes and preferences – and the variety of options available right here at Black Note. Ranking as the Best Menthol E-Liquid by Vaping 360, our tobacco menthol vape juice delivers a pure vape with an experience reminiscent of menthol cigarettes.
Feel free to explore what we offer, or continue your research elsewhere. The main aim is to find the menthol e liquid that best aligns with the experience you desire, and you’re now armed with the know-how to achieve exactly that.
About The Author
Ryn Gargulinski
In addition to being an award-winning writer, I’m also an accomplished illustrator, Reiki master, speaker, and creative force with more than a dozen books and 24+ years in recovery. Love, laughter, authenticity (and my dogs) are things I can’t live without, and I adore working with brands that honor the importance of all of the above.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company, including Black Note and its affiliates. The author, who is not a medical professional, writes this blog post without intending to offer medical advice or replace advice or treatment from a personal physician.
This blog post discusses tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and related substances, intended solely for adult use and potentially harmful to health. We advise all readers/users of this content to quit smoking and/or vaping, or to consult a doctor before starting or continuing to smoke and/or vape.
The author, the blog, Black Note, and its affiliates assume no responsibility for any actions or inaction a reader takes based on the information presented in this blog. We do not intend this content to promote smoking or vaping, and readers should interpret it accordingly.
