Nicnic Nic Shot 70VG 18mg

Overview

The Nicnic Nic Shot 70VG 18mg by NicNic at 0mg. Free UK delivery over £20, same-day dispatch on weekday orders before 4pm.

Nicnic Nic Shot 70VG 18mg: what you are actually buying

The Nicnic Nic Shot 70VG 18mg is a 10ml bottle of unflavoured nicotine liquid made for one job: raising the strength of a 0mg shortfill e-liquid. It is not a ready-to-vape juice and it is not a disposable device. It is one half of a simple two-part system. You buy a large bottle of nicotine-free shortfill in the flavour you like, add one or more nic shots to it, shake the bottle, and end up with a full-size bottle of e-liquid at exactly the strength you want.

The name gives you the two numbers that matter. 70VG means the carrier liquid is 70% vegetable glycerine and 30% propylene glycol, which is the same thick, smooth base used in most sub-ohm shortfills sold in the UK. 18mg means 18mg of nicotine per millilitre. Across the whole 10ml bottle that comes to 180mg of nicotine in total, and that single figure drives every mixing calculation further down this page.

NicNic is one of several shot brands available in the UK, and a plain unflavoured 70VG shot is a fairly standard product. What separates one shot from another is mostly the bottle, the consistency from batch to batch, the price and how easy it is to find in stock. This page covers all of those points honestly, along with the practical questions people ask before they buy: how strong will the finished liquid be, which devices suit it, and what tends to go wrong.

Specification summary:

• Product type: unflavoured nicotine shot (booster) for mixing with shortfill e-liquid
• Brand: NicNic
• Bottle size: 10ml
• Nicotine strength: 18mg/ml (1.8%), which is 180mg of nicotine per bottle
• VG/PG ratio: 70VG / 30PG
• Flavour: none, a neutral base
• Designed for: sub-ohm and mid-power tanks, mixed into 0mg shortfills
• Standard use: one shot into a 50ml shortfill (60ml bottle) gives 3mg/ml
• Age restriction: 18+ only, sold to adults who already use nicotine

Nicotine is addictive. This product is intended for adult smokers and existing vapers who want to control their own strength, and it is not for anyone who does not already use nicotine.

How the mixing maths works

Every nic shot calculation comes down to one formula. The finished strength in mg/ml equals the number of shots multiplied by 10 (the millilitres in each shot) multiplied by 18 (the strength of each shot), divided by the total volume of liquid in the bottle once everything is mixed. In plain terms, it is milligrams of nicotine divided by millilitres of liquid.

Here are the combinations people actually use. Each assumes the base liquid is a 0mg shortfill.

• 50ml shortfill plus 1 shot (60ml total): 180mg across 60ml gives 3mg/ml. This is the standard set-up and the reason shortfills are sold in 60ml bottles with 10ml of empty headroom.
• 100ml shortfill plus 2 shots (120ml total): 360mg across 120ml also gives 3mg/ml. The same maths scales up in direct proportion, so a larger bottle simply needs more shots.
• 40ml of shortfill plus 2 shots (60ml total): 360mg across 60ml gives 6mg/ml. You need to pour 10ml of the shortfill out first to make room, so you end up with a stronger but slightly smaller batch.
• 50ml shortfill plus 2 shots (70ml total): roughly 5.1mg/ml, but only if you have a clean, empty bottle that holds at least 70ml.
• 100ml shortfill plus 1 shot (110ml total): about 1.6mg/ml, a gentle strength for people who are close to coming off nicotine.
• 10ml of shortfill plus 1 shot (20ml total): 9mg/ml, a small stronger batch for anyone who needs a firmer throat hit.

The VG/PG ratio of the finished liquid depends on what you mix with. If your shortfill is also 70VG/30PG, the blend stays at 70VG/30PG. If your shortfill is 50VG/50PG, adding one 70VG shot to 50ml gives roughly 53% VG overall, which is still a perfectly normal liquid but a little thinner than a true 70VG blend. If you are unsure of your shortfill ratio, check the label before mixing and expect small shifts rather than big ones.

There is also a flavour effect to keep in mind. A 10ml unflavoured shot added to 50ml of flavoured shortfill means the flavour concentration falls to about 83% of what it was in the original bottle. Most shortfill makers allow for this and formulate their liquids to taste right after one shot has been added, so the dilution is rarely a problem in practice. It does mean that mixing a shot into a small amount of liquid, or adding two shots to a single 50ml bottle, will noticeably soften the taste.

Finally, a note on legality. UK rules cap nicotine in e-liquid at 20mg/ml and limit nicotine-containing bottles to 10ml, which is why nicotine is sold in separate 10ml shots and flavoured liquid is sold nicotine-free in larger bottles. At 18mg/ml, this shot sits under that cap, and your finished blend will be far lower, typically 3mg/ml to 6mg/ml.

Flavour profile and throat feel

There is no flavour in this shot, and that is the point. It is a neutral base designed to disappear into whatever shortfill you add it to. Unflavoured does not mean tasteless in every respect, though. Nicotine itself has a faintly peppery, slightly bitter edge, and at higher strengths that edge becomes the first thing you notice. At the 3mg/ml you get from a standard one-shot-per-50ml mix, most vapers barely detect it. At 6mg/ml and above you will feel more of a throat hit and may pick up a little warmth at the back of the throat.

The 70VG base shapes the experience in other ways. Vegetable glycerine is naturally a little sweet and very smooth, so a high-VG shot adds body and softness rather than sharpness. Propylene glycol carries flavour and gives more of a throat hit, and with only 30% PG in the shot the extra bite it contributes is small. If you are moving from a 50/50 liquid, you may find that the finished mix feels rounder and the vapour production feels fuller.

How the shot interacts with different shortfill styles:

• Fruit and sweet profiles: the shot sits quietly underneath. Sweet flavours mask nicotine well, so you can run slightly higher strengths without harshness.
• Menthol and ice profiles: cooling agents amplify throat hit. A mix that feels smooth at 3mg/ml can feel sharp at 6mg/ml, so take it up gradually.
• Tobacco and dessert profiles: these tend to hold up well because the flavour is dense, but a tobacco profile at higher nicotine can taste dry and peppery.
• Delicate or tea-based profiles: light flavours show the dilution more, so consider sticking to one shot per 50ml and no more.

On appearance, fresh nicotine liquid is clear to very pale yellow. Over time and with exposure to light, heat and air, nicotine oxidises and darkens towards amber. A slightly darker colour is normal for older stock and not a safety issue on its own, but oxidised nicotine can taste harsher, so use your shots within a sensible time and keep them sealed.

If you want to judge the finished flavour fairly, give the mixed bottle a short rest after shaking. Freshly mixed liquid sometimes tastes a touch thin or uneven for the first hour, and then settles. You are not waiting for flavour to develop in the way you would with a homemade liquid, simply for the mix to become fully uniform.

Design and build quality of the bottle

Nic shots are simple products, so build quality comes down to the bottle, the cap and the label. Like most 10ml nicotine bottles sold in the UK, this one is a lightweight plastic bottle with a narrow nozzle, which is the format that fits the legal requirements for nicotine-containing e-liquid. Those requirements include a child-resistant and tamper-evident closure, so the cap is deliberately a little awkward to open. Press down while you twist, and check the tamper ring is intact when the parcel arrives.

A few practical points on the packaging:

• Plastic rather than glass: plastic bottles are far less likely to break in transit and are squeezable, which gives you control over how quickly the liquid flows into your shortfill.
• Narrow nozzle: the thin tip is designed to slide into the neck of a typical shortfill bottle. Shortfill bottles vary slightly, so check how the nozzle sits in yours before you start squeezing. If your shortfill has a nozzle that is narrower than the shot tip, you may need to remove the shortfill nozzle first.
• Label information: the label carries the nicotine strength, volume, batch information and the health warning that UK rules require. Keep the original bottle until you have used the shot, so you can refer to the batch details if you ever need to.
• Clear body: being able to see the liquid level makes it simple to confirm you have emptied the whole shot into your mix.

In terms of finish, it is a functional bottle rather than a premium one, and that is perfectly reasonable for a product that gets used once and discarded. What matters is that the cap seals properly, the bottle does not weep liquid, and the print stays readable if a drop of liquid gets on it. Always wipe the outside of the bottle if any liquid spills, because concentrated nicotine on your hands is worth avoiding.

A common mistake is to pour the shot straight in without checking how much space the shortfill has left. A 50ml shortfill in a 60ml bottle is designed to take exactly 10ml, but if the bottle has been sitting upright and has been over-filled at the factory, or if you have already topped it up with something else, you may not have the full 10ml of headroom. In that case, stop, and consider using a larger empty bottle instead of forcing the shot in.

On disposal, empty shot bottles still contain residue. Many local councils accept clean, empty plastic bottles in household recycling, but nicotine residue means you should follow your own council guidance and keep the empty bottle away from children and pets until it is binned or recycled.

Coil and mesh compatibility for a 70VG liquid

Because this shot is 70VG, the finished liquid will be thick, and that determines which coils and tanks work properly. A high-VG liquid flows slowly through a cotton wick. Coils with large wicking ports, a generous cotton surface and a low resistance cope well. Coils with tiny wicking holes and a small cotton area do not, and are the usual cause of dry hits with thick liquids.

Coil types that suit a 70VG mix:

• Sub-ohm mesh coils (roughly 0.1 to 0.3 ohm): mesh gives a large, even heating surface and plenty of wicking area, which is why it is the standard coil style for 70VG shortfills. Typical power ranges sit between 40W and 90W depending on the coil rating.
• Sub-ohm wire coils (roughly 0.2 to 0.5 ohm): single or dual wire coils work well at moderate power, around 30W to 60W, and often give a slightly warmer vapour than mesh.
• Higher-resistance coils (0.6 to 1.0 ohm) in pod-style devices: these can work with 70VG only if the pod has large wicking holes. Many small pod systems are designed around 50VG/50PG or thinner liquids, and a thick 70VG mix can starve the wick. Check the manufacturer guidance before using a high-VG blend in a pod.

Match your nicotine strength to your coil, not the other way round. Lower-resistance coils at higher wattages produce far more vapour with each puff, so you take in more nicotine per draw. That is why sub-ohm vapers usually choose low strengths such as 3mg/ml. If you move to a 1.0 ohm or higher coil, you inhale less vapour per puff, and some people find 3mg/ml too weak for that style of vaping. This shot is not the right tool for that kind of device, and a pre-mixed higher-strength liquid would suit better.

Always prime new coils properly. Drop several drops of the finished liquid directly onto the cotton, fill the tank, and then wait at least five to ten minutes before firing. With thick liquids this wait matters, because rushed priming is the most common cause of a burnt coil on the first day. Start on the low end of the recommended wattage range, take a few short puffs, then raise the power in small steps.

Coil life varies with how sweet the shortfill is, how hard you vape and how much liquid you use. As a rough guide, most sub-ohm coils last somewhere between one and three weeks of normal use. If the flavour goes flat or you notice a burnt taste, replace the coil before blaming the liquid.

Power settings, battery life and charging

The Nic Shot itself has no battery and nothing to charge. The battery, charging and power considerations belong to the device you vape the mixed liquid in. Still, the two are linked, because your power settings affect both how quickly you use the liquid and how much nicotine you take in.

Three practical rules for the device side:

• Match power to the coil: use the wattage range printed on the coil. Running a mesh coil below its range gives weak vapour and can cause flooding, while running it above its range burns the cotton.
• Expect faster battery drain at higher power: a sub-ohm tank at 60W empties a battery much faster than a pod at 15W. If you vape heavily, a device with a 3000mAh or larger battery, or a removable cell, makes a long day easier.
• Higher power uses more liquid: the more power you use, the more e-liquid you vape, and the more nicotine you take in even at a low strength. Many people find that moving to a higher-wattage device means dropping to a lower mg/ml.

When it comes to charging, use the cable supplied with your device or a good quality equivalent. Do not leave batteries charging unattended or overnight, do not charge on soft furnishings, and stop using any battery that is swollen, dented or hot while charging. If your device takes removable cells, such as 18650 or 21700 batteries, use a proper external charger, keep the cells in a case and never carry loose cells in a pocket with coins or keys.

Recycling matters too. Vape devices and batteries should not go into household bins or ordinary recycling. Take old vapes, removable cells and chargers to a battery or electrical recycling drop-off point. Most large supermarkets have battery collection bins, local council recycling centres accept small electricals, and shops that sell vape products are required to take back old devices. This applies to rechargeable devices of every kind.

A note for readers who used to rely on disposables: the UK 20mg/ml nicotine cap applied to disposable vapes just as it does to e-liquid, but single-use disposable vapes have been banned from sale in the UK since June 2025. The refillable route is now the main option, and a shortfill plus a nic shot is one of the most economical ways to run it.

Choosing the right nicotine strength

Picking a strength is the most personal decision you make with a nic shot, and there is no single correct answer. The guidance below is a starting point based on common vaping patterns, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or are taking medication, talk to your GP or a stop smoking service before you change your nicotine intake.

General starting points for sub-ohm and high-VG vaping:

• Around 1.5mg/ml to 3mg/ml: suits former light smokers, people who are reducing nicotine, or those who vape a large volume every day. A single shot in a 100ml bottle gives about 1.6mg/ml, and a single shot in 50ml gives 3mg/ml.
• Around 3mg/ml to 6mg/ml: suits former moderate smokers, or anyone who finds 3mg/ml leaves them reaching for a cigarette. Two shots in a 60ml total gives 6mg/ml.
• Above 6mg/ml in a sub-ohm device: usually too harsh at high power, because each puff delivers a lot of vapour. If you need more than 6mg/ml, a higher-resistance device with a lower wattage and a pre-mixed liquid is often a better match than loading up a sub-ohm tank.

A few signs help you judge whether the strength is right. If your throat is sore and you feel light-headed, nauseous or get a headache after vaping, the strength may be too high for your device or style, so lower it. If you find yourself chain-vaping, craving a cigarette within the hour or constantly topping up, the strength may be too low. Nicotine needs vary day to day, so adjust gradually rather than all at once.

Some practical tips for finding your level:

• Start with 3mg/ml if you are a former smoker and have not used a sub-ohm device before.
• Change one thing at a time. If you switch coil, wattage and strength together, you will not know which change made the difference.
• Keep a rough tally of how many millilitres you use per day. Heavy sub-ohm vapers can use several millilitres a day, which means that even at 3mg/ml they take in a fair amount of nicotine.
• If the aim is to quit nicotine entirely, step down slowly, for example from 6mg to 3mg to 1.5mg to 0mg, giving your body a few weeks at each stage.

Shots also help here because you can mix a batch to a custom strength. If 3mg/ml is slightly too weak and 6mg/ml too strong, you can mix 50ml of shortfill with a shot, then add more shortfill to dilute, or mix across batches to land in between. Just record your maths so you know where you are.

Who the Nic Shot is for, and who should look elsewhere

This product suits a fairly specific group of adult vapers, and being honest about that saves you money and frustration.

It is a good fit if you:

• Already vape or smoke and want to run a sub-ohm or mid-power tank with shortfill e-liquid.
• Like the idea of buying flavour in large bottles and adding nicotine yourself, which usually works out cheaper per millilitre than buying lots of 10ml bottles.
• Want to control your strength precisely, whether you are staying at 3mg/ml, stepping down gradually or going up a notch.
• Already use a 70VG shortfill and want the blend to remain at the same ratio.
• Are comfortable following a simple mixing process and handling concentrated nicotine carefully.

You should look elsewhere if you:

• Do not currently use nicotine. Vaping is intended for adults who smoke or already vape, not for anyone who has never used nicotine products.
• Are under 18. It is illegal to sell nicotine products to under-18s, and age checks apply when you order and at delivery.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a heart condition, without first speaking to a healthcare professional.
• Want plug-and-play simplicity. A pre-mixed 10ml bottle or a closed pod is simpler, even if it costs more per millilitre.
• Use a small pod device or MTL tank with a tight draw. A thick 70VG mix may not wick well, and you will probably want a higher strength than a shot-in-shortfill blend provides. A pre-mixed 50/50 liquid or nicotine salt is a better match.
• Want more than 6mg/ml in a sub-ohm tank. It is possible with this shot, but the result is harsh, and a different product will serve you better.

The shot also suits people who treat vaping as a long-term step-down plan. Because you decide the final strength each time you mix a bottle, you can slowly reduce nicotine without changing flavour, device or routine. That consistency is one of the more underrated advantages, as changing everything at once makes it harder to stick with a plan.

How to use it: step-by-step mixing and safe handling

Mixing a nic shot takes about two minutes. The key is to be careful and unhurried, because you are handling concentrated nicotine.

• Step 1, prepare your space. Wash and dry your hands, clear a clean surface and keep children and pets out of the room. Place a paper towel under the bottles to catch drips.
• Step 2, check the maths. Confirm the size of your shortfill and the strength you want. For the standard 3mg/ml result, you need a 50ml shortfill in a 60ml bottle and one 10ml shot.
• Step 3, open the shortfill. Remove the nozzle or cap of the shortfill bottle and check that there is room for 10ml of liquid.
• Step 4, open the shot. Press down and twist the child-resistant cap to open the Nic Shot. Check that the tamper ring was intact before you opened it.
• Step 5, add the shot. Squeeze the bottle gently so the liquid flows into the shortfill. Take your time, and use a clean funnel or pipette if the bottle necks do not line up.
• Step 6, close and shake. Refit the nozzle and cap on the shortfill, hold it tightly and shake for at least 30 to 60 seconds. You are looking for liquid that looks uniform, with no streaks or swirls.
• Step 7, let it settle. Wait a short while, ideally an hour or two, so any bubbles rise and the mix becomes fully even. Overnight is better if you are not in a hurry.
• Step 8, label it. Write the new strength and the date on the bottle, or on a label, so there is no confusion later about what is in it.

Safety and storage points to keep in mind:

• Keep the mixed bottle and any unused shots in a cool, dark place, out of direct sunlight and out of reach of children and pets. Once mixed, the finished bottle is a nicotine product and needs the same care.
• If liquid gets on your skin, wash it off straight away with soap and water. If you swallow it or get it in your eyes, seek medical advice immediately.
• Never vape the shot neat. It has no flavour and is stronger than anything you would normally vape in a sub-ohm tank.
• Do not mix different flavours and strengths in a way you cannot track. If you change a recipe, update your label.

The finished liquid is ready to go in your tank as soon as it looks uniform, although waiting is sensible. Fill the tank as normal, prime the coil and start at a moderate wattage.

Troubleshooting common problems

Most problems with nic shots come down to mixing technique, strength choice or the coil, rather than the product itself. Here are the situations that come up most often, and what to do about them.

• The shot will not fit in the bottle. The shortfill may be fuller than expected, or you may have already topped it up. Do not force it in. Transfer the contents to a larger clean bottle, or reduce the amount of shortfill first and recalculate the strength using the formula in the maths section.
• The liquid looks streaky or cloudy after shaking. This is usually incomplete mixing, particularly with thick 70VG liquids. Shake again for another 30 to 60 seconds and let the bottle rest. Warming the sealed bottle briefly in a bowl of warm water can help it blend.
• The throat hit is too harsh. The strength may be too high for your device, or the shortfill is a menthol or cooling flavour that amplifies nicotine. Lower the strength, drop the wattage slightly or choose a less sharp flavour. Remember that dropping from 6mg to 3mg is a big step, so go gradually.
• The nicotine feels too weak. If you keep reaching for a cigarette or vape constantly, you may need a higher strength. Increase it in small steps, such as from 3mg/ml to roughly 4 to 5mg/ml, and give each change several days before deciding.
• The flavour seems weaker than before. The shot dilutes flavour by about 17% in a standard 50ml mix, which can be noticeable with delicate profiles. A tired coil also flattens flavour, so try a new coil before assuming the liquid is the problem.
• Dry or burnt hits. Thick 70VG liquids need proper priming and a coil with large wicking ports. Wait at least five to ten minutes after filling, lower the wattage and check you have not let the tank run low.
• Gurgling or leaking. This is more often related to the tank than the liquid. Check the seals, do not overfill the tank, and make sure the coil is seated properly. Over-tightening or under-tightening both cause trouble.
• Headache, dizziness or nausea. These are signs of too much nicotine. Stop vaping, get some fresh air, drink water, and lower the strength before you try again.
• The shot has turned darker. Nicotine darkens with age and exposure to light and air. If it is only slightly amber, it is usually still usable, though the throat hit may be rougher. If it has turned dark brown or smells odd, replace it.

If you suspect a faulty or damaged bottle, such as a broken tamper seal or a leaking cap, do not use it. Take photos of the item and packaging, keep the batch details and contact customer support so the issue can be reviewed.

Value for money

Value with nic shots is about the total cost of the finished bottle, not the price of the shot alone. The shot is cheap by itself, but you also need the shortfill it goes into. Check the current price on the product page, then use the simple method below to compare it with the alternatives.

The easiest comparison is cost per millilitre of finished liquid. Take the price of your shortfill and the price of one shot, add them together and divide by the total millilitres you end up with. For a 50ml shortfill plus one shot, that is divided by 60ml. Then compare that figure with the per-millilitre price of the pre-mixed 10ml bottles you would otherwise buy. In most cases the shortfill-plus-shot route works out cheaper per millilitre, and the gap grows the more you vape, because larger shortfill sizes are usually priced lower per millilitre.

Where the saving comes from:

• Bulk liquid is cheaper: a 100ml shortfill generally costs less per millilitre than ten 10ml bottles, and it comes with fewer bottles to buy, store and throw away.
• You only pay for nicotine you use: one 10ml shot contains 180mg of nicotine, which is enough to bring 60ml of shortfill up to 3mg/ml. You do not pay a premium for nicotine you do not want.
• Less packaging waste: one large bottle plus one small shot uses less plastic than six or ten small bottles.
• Flexible strength: if you decide to step down, you simply change the number of shots or the volume of shortfill, rather than switching to a different product line.

Honest limits on the saving. If you only vape a small amount, a few 10ml bottles may be simpler and nearly as cheap. If you use a pod device that needs a thinner liquid, the cost of buying the wrong liquid type outweighs any saving. And if you forget to add the shot or mix it wrongly, the saving disappears, because you end up with 0mg liquid you have to correct.

It is also worth remembering shelf life. An unopened shot stored well generally keeps for many months, but nicotine degrades over time, so buying a huge stock of shots on a bulk deal is not always a bargain. Buy enough for the shortfills you plan to use over the next few months, and keep the rest sealed and cool.

How it compares: honest alternatives

A plain nic shot is a commodity product, so the useful question is not whether it is exceptional, but whether it is the right type of nicotine for your set-up. Here is how the options stack up.

• Versus pre-mixed 10ml nicotine e-liquids: pre-mixed bottles are the simplest option, because there is no mixing and no maths. They cost more per millilitre and create more packaging. If you vape lightly or want zero effort, they are a fine choice. If you vape most of the day through a sub-ohm tank, shortfill plus a shot usually costs less.
• Versus 50VG/50PG nic shots: a 50/50 shot is thinner and gives a little more throat hit, and it suits pod-style devices and tighter draw tanks. A 70VG shot suits sub-ohm tanks and 70VG shortfills better, because it keeps the final blend thick and smooth. Pick the shot that matches the VG/PG ratio of your shortfill and your device.
• Versus nicotine salt shots: nicotine salts feel smoother at higher strengths, which is why they are popular in low-power pod devices at 10mg/ml to 20mg/ml. They are designed for low-wattage use and are not generally a good match for high-power sub-ohm tanks. A 70VG shot like this one is built for the opposite style of vaping, with lower strengths and bigger clouds, so it is the better choice for sub-ohm vaping at 3mg/ml to 6mg/ml.
• Versus other brands of 70VG shots: an unflavoured 70VG 18mg shot from another UK brand will do the same job. Differences come down to price, bottle design, availability and your own experience of batch consistency. If another brand is cheaper in your basket and has the same specification, it is a reasonable substitute, and the maths in this guide still applies.
• Versus buying a higher-strength nicotine base: some DIY mixers prefer bases above 18mg/ml. UK rules limit consumer e-liquid to 20mg/ml, so these are not normal retail products. The 18mg shot is designed to fit within those rules and is simple to use without specialist equipment.

In short, the NicNic Nic Shot 70VG 18mg is a straightforward, sensibly specified shot for people who want to turn a 0mg shortfill into a 3mg or 6mg vape. It will not suit everyone, and it is not a premium or novelty product, but for a sub-ohm vaper who wants control over strength at a fair price, it does what it says on the bottle.