The short answer: a shortfill is a big bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid, deliberately under-filled so you can add nicotine yourself. A 100ml shortfill plus two 10ml nic shots gives you roughly 120ml at about 3mg. It's the cheapest way to vape if 3mg or lower suits you. This page explains how shortfills work; for every tobacco e-liquid we stock, see best tobacco e-liquids in Ireland.
Why are they called shortfills?
The bottle is "short" of full. A 100ml shortfill usually comes in a bottle with room for about 120ml, and a 50ml usually has room for about 60ml. The empty space is for nic shots: small 10ml bottles of unflavoured nicotine that you pour in.
There's a legal reason for the setup. In Ireland, e-liquid with nicotine can't be sold in refill bottles over 10ml and can't be stronger than 20mg/ml (summary of S.I. 271 of 2016 on Tobacco Control Laws). Nicotine-free liquid in a big bottle plus a separate 10ml shot is how people get bigger volumes at low strength.
How much nicotine do I end up with?
Our Nic Nic nicotine shots are 18mg, so that's the strength used below. Check the label on any shot you buy.
| Bottle | Nic shots (18mg) | You get about |
|---|---|---|
| 50ml shortfill | 1 | 60ml at 3mg |
| 100ml shortfill | 2 | 120ml at 3mg |
| 100ml shortfill | 1 | 110ml at about 1.6mg |
| Any shortfill | 0 | 0mg (nicotine-free) |
If you need 6mg or more, shortfills won't get you there. Stick with 10ml tobacco e-liquids or nic salts.
How to mix a shortfill
- Take the nozzle off the shortfill bottle (it usually pops off with a firm pull, or use a cap removal tool).
- Pour in your nic shot(s).
- Put the nozzle back on and shake well for a minute.
- Leave it a few hours if you can. It's fine to vape straight away, but the flavour settles.
What it costs
At today's shelf prices, a 100ml tobacco shortfill at €35 plus two shots at €7.50 comes to €50 for about 120ml, around 42c per ml. A 10ml bottle at €6.50 is 65c per ml. A 50ml OB shortfill at €24.50 plus one shot comes to about 53c per ml. If you get through a lot of liquid, the difference adds up. E-liquid is taxed per ml (50c/ml now, 70c/ml from January 2027, see Budget 2027 explained), so check the product page for the current price rather than relying on figures written here.
Which kits suit shortfills?
Most shortfills are a higher-VG mix, made for sub-ohm tanks and bigger pod kits that produce more vapour. They can work in smaller pod kits, but a thick liquid in a tight coil can taste burnt. Nic shots are often 100VG, so the final mix is thicker than the label on the bottle suggests. If you're unsure, ask us in the shop or check your kit's page.
Tobacco shortfills we stock
Tobacco – OB 50ml · €24.50
Our own tobacco in a 50ml, with the same balanced flavour as our best-selling 10ml.
Cream Tobacco – IMP JAR 50ml · €24.50
Tobacco softened with cream. A sweeter take for all-day vaping.
Creamy Tobacco – Bar Vape 100ml · €35
A smooth, creamy tobacco in the big bottle.
FAQs
Can I add more than two shots to a 100ml?
Only if the bottle has room, and most don't. Two 10ml shots is the usual maximum for a 100ml.
Are shortfills nicotine-free?
Yes, as sold. Nicotine only goes in when you add a shot.
Will tobacco shortfills stay on sale?
Ireland's Flavour Act was signed on 27 October 2026 and is not yet in force. It will leave only tobacco and unflavoured e-liquids on sale after a 12-month transition, so tobacco shortfills are in the group that stays.
Do shortfills go off?
Once mixed, keep the bottle closed, upright and out of sunlight, and use it within a few months for the best taste. More in how to store e-liquid properly.
For adults 18+. Nic shots contain nicotine, which is addictive. Keep all e-liquids away from children and pets. Prices and stock correct at time of writing.
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