First things first: what am I talking about?
I’m talking about the Miami Mint flavor from Esco Bars (Pastel Cartel), the 2500-puff disposable. I’ve bought this same flavor three times from two shops in Miami. One was a corner vape store on Biscayne. The other was a little spot near North Beach.
If you're planning a day out and want a quick primer on neighborhoods, maps, and must-know details, skim Miami For Visitors before you start wandering.
I paid around $15 each time.
Speaking of straightforward mint profiles, Esco Bars' Mint flavor offers a refreshing and invigorating vaping experience, delivering a bold mint taste that stands out without any fruity distractions.
If you want the long-form, photo-heavy breakdown I posted on the city guide site, check out my Miami Mint real-world take where I dive even deeper into the flavor notes.
That first puff moment
I took my first puff after an iced cafecito. You know what? It hit clean. Cool rush, light mint, a tiny sweet note. Not toothpaste. Not gum. More like a mint leaf with ice. The room didn’t smell loud. No weird candy vibe either, thank goodness.
Flavor: cool but not too icy
The Miami Mint tastes crisp. I’d call it fresh and a little sweet. After five or six puffs, the chill builds up. I like it when I’m hot and sticky from the bus stop. But during a long movie at home, it can feel a bit too cold on the tongue. I sometimes switch to water, then it’s fine.
What surprised me: there’s a soft, sugary thing going on. Not heavy. Just enough to smooth the edges. It goes great after salty food. I had a Cuban sandwich one night, and a few puffs made my mouth feel clean again.
Throat hit and feel
Light to medium hit. Smooth draw. No whistle noise. The mouthpiece is rounded and comfy. I don’t cough unless I chain it after a jog. That’s on me. The device is designed for ease of use, featuring a draw-activated mechanism that eliminates the need for buttons or settings adjustments.
Battery and how long it lasts
Esco Bars says 2500 puffs. Real talk? Mine lasted me about three days with steady use. Once, I got almost four. I’m not counting every draw, but I know the pattern. Morning bus, lunch walk, evening TV. By day three, flavor fades. Day four, battery dies. Twice, the battery quit while a little juice was still in there. That annoyed me.
Heat and leaks: Miami summer test
I left one in my car glove box during a hot afternoon in July. Not my best idea. It didn’t explode or anything, but it got gurgly for a bit and spit a drop on the tip. I wiped it and it went back to normal. The other two never leaked. Tip: don’t bake it in the car. Pocket or bag is safer.
When I reach for it
- After coffee, because it cuts that bitter edge.
- During grocery runs, since it’s small and quiet.
- Pool days. The cold mint in hot air? Feels right (especially if you’re hanging by the rooftop deck at Elysee Miami).
I don’t use it right before bed. The cooling rush wakes me up a little.
What I liked
- Clean mint with a soft sweet finish.
- Smooth pull, no harsh burn.
- Compact and sturdy; the shell doesn’t feel cheap.
- Smell doesn’t linger on clothes.
What bugged me
- Sometimes too icy if I chain puff.
- Battery can die with a bit of juice still left.
- Heat makes it finicky; don’t leave it in the car.
- The “2500 puffs” claim feels generous.
Quick compare from my stash
I’ve tried Elf Bar’s mint and Breeze’s mint. Elf Bar felt sweeter, almost candy-like. Breeze was sharper and a bit harsher for me. Miami Mint sits in the middle—crisp, gentle, and less sugary.
Living for a spell at the bay-view 1800 Club downtown, I noticed the ocean breeze paired perfectly with the less-sugary chill of Miami Mint—it never felt overpowering even on the balcony.
Real moments that sold me (and one that didn’t)
- On I-95, stuck in traffic, windows cracked—one slow puff cooled my whole mouth. I felt less fussy.
- After a quick beach swim, I grabbed water, then a puff—mint + sea breeze is a nice combo.
- One bad bit: during a long soccer game, I puffed nonstop at halftime. The coil got a little dry. Took a break, it was fine after. So yeah, don’t hammer it.
Who this fits
If you want a clean mint that isn’t loud, this hits the sweet spot. If you love super-sweet candy flavors, you might find it plain. If you hate menthol chill, it may feel too frosty after a streak of puffs.
If you’re planning to bring that minty cool vibe to a first meetup you arranged online, it’s worth skimming this candid Badoo review to see how the app’s features, safety tools, and local user base stack up before you lock in a coffee date—saving you time (and maybe a few awkward swipes) between puffs.
Swinging through Indiana and want to ditch the apps altogether? The lineup of speed-dating events in Bloomington lays out upcoming dates, venues, and simple sign-up steps so you can meet a roomful of potential matches face-to-face in one fun evening.
Care tips from my trial and error
- Keep it out of hot cars.
- Take shorter draws to save flavor.
- Sip water now and then; the chill can dry your mouth.
- Store it upright in a pocket or bag to avoid gurgle.
(Pro tip: when I was living at The Ivy downtown, I kept the device upright in a tote during elevator rides—never once had a leak.)
Final word
Miami Mint by Esco Bars feels like cool shade on a hot sidewalk. Not perfect—battery life and heat sensitivity bug me—but the flavor is clean, steady, and easy to live with. I keep one in my tote for errands, and honestly, I’ll buy it again.
—Kayla Sox