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The short answer: Use a PG nicotine shot if your shortfill is lower-VG, if you use an MTL or pod device, or if you want a stronger throat hit. Use a VG nicotine shot if your shortfill is already high-VG, if you use a sub-ohm tank, or if you are sensitive to PG. For most standard 70/30 VG/PG shortfills, either works — but matching the nic shot base to your shortfill base gives the most consistent result.

Why the Base of Your Nicotine Shot Matters

When you add a nicotine shot to a shortfill, you are not just adding nicotine — you are also adding liquid volume in a specific base. That base is either VG (vegetable glycerin) or PG (propylene glycol), and it changes the final VG/PG ratio of your e-liquid.

Most vapers never think about this. They grab whichever nic shot is available, add it, and vape. That works fine in many cases — but if you have ever noticed that a mixed bottle vaped differently to the shortfill on its own, a mismatched base is often why.

The AuNic range covers both sides: the AuNic Freebase Nicotine Shot (PG) 10ml for PG-based mixing, and the AuNic Salt Nicotine Shot (VG) 15ml for VG-based mixing. Choosing the right one for your setup takes less than a minute once you know what to look for.

PG vs VG Nicotine Shots: The Core Differences

Neither is better in absolute terms. They suit different setups and different preferences.

When to Choose a PG Nicotine Shot

Your shortfill is a 50/50 or lower-VG formula. Some shortfills — particularly those aimed at MTL and pod users — are formulated at 50% VG or lower. Adding a VG nic shot to an already thick base does not cause problems, but adding a PG shot to a lower-VG shortfill keeps the consistency right and may actually improve flavour intensity, since PG carries flavour more efficiently than VG.

You use an MTL device or a pod system. Mouth-to-lung devices and pod systems generally work better with thinner e-liquids. The coils are smaller and the wicking channels are narrower — thick, high-VG liquid can struggle to saturate the coil fast enough, leading to dry hits. A PG nic shot keeps the final mix thin enough to wick reliably.

You want a stronger throat hit. PG naturally produces a more noticeable throat hit than VG, even at the same nicotine strength. If the shortfill on its own feels too smooth and you want a bit more sensation, a PG-based nic shot adds that edge without increasing the nicotine level.

You are using the AuNic Freebase (PG) 10ml shot specifically. Freebase nicotine in a PG base is the classic nic shot formulation — the original format before VG shots became common. It is widely compatible, reliable, and works with nearly every shortfill on the market.

When to Choose a VG Nicotine Shot

Your shortfill is high-VG (70% or above). Most sub-ohm and cloud-focused shortfills are formulated at 70% VG or higher. Adding a PG nic shot drops the VG ratio of the final bottle — not dramatically, but enough to thin the liquid and slightly reduce vapour production. A VG nic shot keeps the ratio where it was designed to be.

You use a sub-ohm tank or a direct-lung device. High-powered devices are built around thick, high-VG e-liquid. A VG nic shot maintains the consistency the device and coil expect — no thinning, no change in cloud production, no wicking issues from a sudden shift in viscosity.

You are PG-sensitive. A small percentage of vapers experience irritation, dry throat, or mild allergic response to propylene glycol. If you are one of them, keeping every element of your mix VG-based — including the nic shot — minimises exposure. A full VG shortfill with a VG nic shot contains virtually no PG at all.

You are using the AuNic Salt Nicotine Shot (VG) 15ml. Salt nicotine in VG is the recommended pairing for high-VG shortfills used in lower-wattage pod systems. It is smoother at higher strengths and absorbs faster than freebase, which suits the lighter puffing style of pod and MTL users — counterintuitively, the smooth delivery of salt nic makes it comfortable even in a VG base.

How the AuNic Range Covers Every Combination

AuNic produces four nic shot variants, each targeting a specific setup:

The 10ml freebase PG shot is the smallest and most concentrated format — designed to add a clean nicotine hit to a shortfill without significantly altering the volume or base ratio. It is the most practical option for vapers who use smaller shortfills or who want to fine-tune their nicotine strength with a smaller addition.

What Happens If You Use the Wrong One?

Using a PG shot in a high-VG shortfill or a VG shot in a lower-VG shortfill will not ruin the e-liquid. The nicotine will still mix in, the flavour will still be there, and the finished bottle will still vape. The differences are:

• PG shot in high-VG shortfill: Slightly thinner final liquid, marginally less vapour, slightly more throat hit — most vapers would not notice at a 10ml addition in a 90ml bottle
• VG shot in lower-VG shortfill: Slightly thicker final liquid, may wick more slowly in tight MTL pods, negligible flavour difference

At the 10ml scale of the freebase PG shot, the impact on a 80ml shortfill is minimal. The ratio shift is roughly 10% of the total volume — noticeable to experienced mixers, invisible to most vapers. The guidance to match base types is about optimising, not about avoiding a ruined bottle.

Step-by-Step: Adding the AuNic Freebase PG Shot to a Shortfill

1. Remove the cap and inner nozzle from your shortfill bottle and set aside
2. Open the AuNic Freebase (PG) 10ml shot — puncture the seal if needed
3. Squeeze the full 10ml into the shortfill bottle — it fits easily into the empty space
4. Replace the nozzle and cap firmly before shaking
5. Shake for 30 seconds to distribute the nicotine evenly through the liquid
6. Wait 5 minutes before filling your tank or pod — PG blends faster than VG but a short rest still improves consistency

The process is identical regardless of which AuNic nic shot you use. The only difference between variants is what ends up in your finished bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mix PG and VG nic shots in the same bottle? Yes. VG and PG are fully miscible — they blend completely with each other. If you want a custom result between the two extremes, splitting the addition between a PG and VG shot is a legitimate approach, though it requires a bit of calculation to keep the final ratio where you want it.

Is freebase nicotine stronger than salt nicotine at the same mg level? Not in terms of the actual nicotine content — 3mg of freebase and 3mg of salt nic contain the same amount of nicotine. The difference is in delivery. Freebase hits faster in the lungs at higher wattage; salt nic absorbs more efficiently through the mucous membranes at lower wattage. For sub-ohm vapers, freebase at 3mg often feels more satisfying than salt nic at 3mg.

Why is the PG freebase shot 10ml and the VG salt shot 15ml? The 10ml PG shot is designed to be added to shortfills where only a small volume addition is wanted — keeping the base ratio change minimal. The 15ml VG shot is sized to fill more of the 20ml gap in a standard shortfill bottle, because VG-based shortfills are typically higher volume and the extra liquid is expected. Both sizes work; the difference is in how much space they fill and how much the final nicotine strength differs.

Does PG nicotine shot affect the flavour of the shortfill? PG carries flavour compounds more efficiently than VG, which can very slightly intensify the perceived flavour of the shortfill after mixing. In practice, the difference at 10ml addition into an 80ml bottle is subtle. It is a benefit rather than a problem for most flavour profiles.

Final Verdict

For most vapers using a standard shortfill on a sub-ohm device, the AuNic Freebase Nicotine Shot (PG) 10ml is the simplest and most widely compatible nic shot option. It mixes cleanly, adds a reliable throat hit, and is available in a compact 10ml format that does not significantly alter the volume or VG/PG ratio of the finished bottle. If you are on a high-VG shortfill with a high-powered tank, the VG-based AuNic shot is the closer match. Either way, the AuNic range has the right shot for your setup — the key is knowing which one to reach for.