When you’re looking over your local vape shop’s selection of e-liquids, you’ll probably skim your eyes over a few that boldly say “Premium E-Liquid”. You’ll also notice that the prices on these premium juices are significantly higher than many of the other e-liquids on the shelf. But why exactly are these considered premium e-liquids, and why are they more expensive?

One of the major drivers behind this labeling is the tastes and flavors of these juices. Most of the time, premium e-liquids offer flavors you cannot find anywhere else. Some flavors are unique to the brand, while others are complex flavors that chemists have only just been able to isolate and synthesize for e-liquid consumption. Other premium e-liquids will also boast more vivid flavorings that taste almost identical to the real version of whatever they are mimicking. This increased investment into research and development of new flavors translates into a higher price due to the perceived rarity of the flavors.

Another reason these are considered more premium is the container itself. As you may or may not know, many people collect alcohol bottles and caps due to the design’s creators put on them. Some vaping companies have decided to do the same with their e-juice containers, and extremely unique designs have started to emerge. Because these are not standard plastic containers anymore and in fact are more complex glass or even metal designs, the price is higher. It’s a small tradeoff for a keepsake that looks like nothing your friends have seen before. These are sort of like designer items. They are unlike anything else, and the price reflects that.

In a similar vein to bottle material and shape, many premium juices come in glass bottles instead of plastic. This also increases the price but gives increased possible safety and more convenience. Some of the more unscrupulous vape brands may use plastic that could leech chemicals into the e-liquids if stored for long periods of time, and glass completely prevents that as glass does not contain these chemicals. Furthermore, glass allows for e-liquids to be properly steeped to bring out the intended flavors.

Premium e-liquids are premium because of their amazing and unique flavor options as well as specially designed bottles. There are of course other factors that play a role in determining whether they are premium - such as exclusive e-liquids from other countries - but the aforementioned reasons are among the most prominent.

Consider the research that went into those e-liquids the next time you seek out a new flavor to try.