Nic Shots & Salts

What Are Nicotine Shots (Nic Shots)?

Nicotine shots are unflavoured nicotine e-liquids that are added to shortfill e-liquids — larger bottles of nicotine-free e-liquid with space left at the top for mixing. This allows users to legally and safely add nicotine to their vape juice in compliance with TPD (Tobacco Products Directive) regulations in the UK and EU.

Key Features:

• Usually sold in 10ml bottles
• Standard strength is 18mg/ml
• Mixed into shortfills (e.g., a 50ml shortfill + 1 x 10ml Nic Shot = 3mg strength)
• Available in freebase or salt nicotine formulas

How They’re Used:

To use a Nic Shot, simply pour the contents of the 10ml bottle into your shortfill e-liquid, shake well, and vape as normal. No steeping or special tools are required.

Benefits of Nic Shots:

• Customisable strength: Control how much nicotine you add to your vape
• Cost-effective: Larger bottle sizes reduce cost per ml
• TPD compliant: Legal way to get higher volume e-liquid with nicotine
• Flavour flexibility: Add nicotine without altering your preferred flavours

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What Are Nicotine Salts (Nic Salts)?

Nicotine salts are a refined form of nicotine that mimic the natural state of nicotine found in tobacco leaves. They are chemically modified with acids (typically benzoic or citric acid) to create a smoother throat hit and allow for quicker nicotine absorption.

Unlike standard freebase nicotine (used in most Nic Shots and traditional e-liquids), Nic Salts are smoother at higher strengths, making them ideal for new vapers or those seeking a more cigarette-like experience.

Key Features:

• Available in 10ml TPD-compliant bottles
• Strengths typically range from 10mg to 20mg
• Intended for low-wattage devices and pod systems
• Faster absorption into the bloodstream
• Smoother throat hit, even at higher nicotine levels

How They’re Used:

Nic Salts are used as-is, without mixing. Simply fill your vape tank or pod with the e-liquid and vape. They’re best suited for MTL (mouth-to-lung) devices with higher resistance coils.

Benefits of Nic Salts:

• Faster nicotine delivery: More satisfying for heavy smokers
• Smoother feel: Less harsh than freebase nicotine at high strengths
• Discreet vapour production: Ideal for stealth vaping
• Longer-lasting satisfaction: Fewer puffs needed to feel the effect

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Key Differences Between Nic Shots & Nic Salts

Feature	Nic Shots	Nic Salts
Format	Unflavoured, mixed into shortfills	Flavoured, ready to use
Typical Strength	18mg/ml (mixed down to 3–6mg)	10mg or 20mg
Base Type	Freebase (or sometimes salt)	Salt nicotine
Throat Hit	Stronger, harsher at high strengths	Smoother at high strengths
Absorption Speed	Moderate	Fast
Device Compatibility	Sub-ohm / higher power setups	Low-wattage pods & MTL devices
User Type	Customisers, flavour chasers	New vapers, heavy smokers

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Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Nic Shots if you:

• Prefer using shortfill e-liquids with tailored nicotine levels
• Want to mix and match flavours and strengths
• Use high-powered or sub-ohm devices
• Don’t mind a slightly harsher throat hit

Choose Nic Salts if you:

• Are a new vaper or recent ex-smoker
• Need a stronger, faster nicotine hit
• Use low-wattage pod kits or compact devices
• Want a smooth, satisfying vape with minimal throat irritation

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Conclusion

Both Nic Shots and Nic Salts offer effective ways to satisfy nicotine cravings through vaping — but they serve different needs. Nicotine Shots are perfect for users who enjoy customising their vape, while Nic Salts provide a straightforward, high-strength option for those seeking immediate satisfaction and a smoother draw.

Whether you’re looking to quit smoking, explore new flavours, or fine-tune your nicotine intake, understanding the differences between these two options is essential to finding the right fit for your vaping style.