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07/28/10 Molotov explosive energy - Mango Con Tapito y Limon
07/25/10 Liquid Lightning sugar free
07/21/10 Caffeinated suckas
07/19/10 Iced EN r G berry frozen treat!
07/17/10 Redlime Xtreme Lime
07/12/10 NOS Loaded Cgerry
07/11/10 Kronik Entourage
07/03/10 Another new Monster drink? See the news page for this exclusive information!
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Molotov explosive energy - Mango Con Tapito y Limon
Yea you read the name right. What we have here is a mango and salsa picante energy drink. I really wanted to get my hands on this ever since I saw it. I was lucky enough to convince the company to send me a few samples since I could not find it locally. For those not familiar with the idea of fruit and spicy chili it is a Hispanic thing. It is pretty common to find dried fruit covered with chili powder and they also have products that include lime, chili, and salt that you can put on fresh fruit. Anyway enough on food lets get to this unique drink.
Packaging: It is a nice 16 oz can with a logo of a hand holding a Molotov cocktail. I like the logo and the over all viva la revolution vibe. The little star on the name at the top even adds to the revolution theme. This is a nice eye catching design and I think it will work well for their target audience. Grade B
Slogan: “Explosive energy” is the only thing I could find. Is it part of the name or is it a slogan? Either way I like it and it works well for the drink. Grade B-
Taste: So I pop the top and take a whiff. It kind of tickles my nose a bit. You can smell the mango and the pepper that is in this drink. I pour some in a cup and it comes out a nice translucent orange with lots of little red specks. I take a sip and it is wild. I get some mildly sweet mango right away and it is followed by the Tapito hot sauce flavor. In the end there is a tiny bit of lime that blends in well with the heat. I am very surprised at the spiciness. The Tapito is not just a flavor there is actually Tapito sauce added into this drink and plenty of it. The flavor of the pepper sauce really has a kick to it. It is not super hot but it is hot for sure and my mouth was burning a bit. I love this stuff ! The combination of sweet mango and peppers with the lime finish is way better than I expected and I am damn impressed that they put actual Tapito into the drink. Grade A-
Kick/Ingredients: It was afternoon and I was really dragging. I drank this drink down pretty fast and it really got me going well in 10 to 15 minutes. I think the spiciness added to the speed at which it hit me as well as helped jolt me awake. This is pretty much your typical 16 oz Monster kind of buzz only kicked up a notch by the heat. I kept wanting to say Bamm! Like Chef Emeril Lagasse does on the food network. This was an invigorating drink an my afternoon flew by and I was very energized for a good 4 hours with only a mild sugar crash at the end. The key ingredients in Molotov per can are hidden in a “5000 mg energy blend” made of Caffeine, Guarana, Inositol, Glucuronolactone, and L-Carnitine . It also has a fair amount ot B vitamins, 2000 mg Taurine and 400 mg of Ginseng It comes in at 240 calories, 60 grams of carbs, and 54 grams of sugars. It is sweetened with sucrose and glucose. I am guessing the caffeine to be about 160 mg per can. Over all not bad. Grade C+ for kick/ingredients. It is average but the inclusion of Tapito makes it a bit better.
Web Presence: The website at molotov-energy is not much to look at. You can get some product info and it has a link to a store but that is about it. They do have both a Facebook and a Twitter though. Grade C for web presence
Recap:
O man I can’t wait to try the other flavors from Molotov. They have a Pineapple Tapito as well as several other non spicy flavors. This is one of those rare finds I think. I have seen several different Hispanic marketed energy drinks and they usually just fell flat. Molotov seems to have done their homework. This drink delivers a totally unique and interesting flavor and a kick like you’d expect from the major brand 16 energy drinks. If you see this I recommend you give it a try. In fact I’d go as far as to say seek it out just for the adventure. I myself plan on ordering a mixed case form them soon.
I got my feet on the street but I can't stop flyin'
Liquid Lightning sugar Free
So this drink has been around quite a while. It has been through a couple of revamps and is still going. That tells me they must be on to something. Energy drinks are a tough business and they come and go on a regular basis. Why has Liquid lightning survived? I an anxious to find out.
Packaging: I have their 8 oz can. It is a slim 8.4 oz typical energy drink can. The advantage to this size is that it is easily recognizable as an energy drink. Their new design is a slick white can with very minimal text or graphics. It’s got some style and has a feel of something not mainstream and mysterious. I’ll give it a grade of B for packaging.
Slogan: “Energy For life” While not exciting I get the fact that they are aiming at a lifestyle with their drink. Grade B
Taste: So I pop the top and get the typical energy drink scent. Pouring some in a cup it comes out a golden yellow color with a medium carbonation level. Taking a sip I get your classic sugar free RB clone flavor. It’s a good one with hints of apple, white grape, and candy. At the finish there is a hint of vanilla but no bitterness or after taste. It actually does a good job of mimicking the full sugar flavor and does not taste very artificial. It might not be anything unique and exciting but it is done well. Grade C+
Kick/Ingredients: They were nice enough to send me sever samples so I tried this drink on several occasions. Each time I found it delivered just a notch above your 8.4 oz Red Bull. I got a mid to low level buzz that lasted 3 hours with no crash. If you have had a Red then you know what to expect. It is just a hair above that. It has 20 mg more caffeine than Red Bull. Each can is powered by 100 mg caffeine and undisclosed amounts(proprietary blend) of Taurine, Ginseng, Inositol, Glucuronolactone, and Ribose. It also contains a big dose of B vitamins and vitamin C. Grade C+ for kick/ingredients
Web Presence: The website at llenergy.com is very well put together. This site is sharp and delivers plenty of product info along with a ton of other content. It is a lifestyle kind of site with art, sports, music, and more all covered. There is a store and also a blog. This is a top shelf site worth checking out. They also have a Facebook and a Twitter. Grade A for web presence
Recap:
So there is a lot to like about this drink. They deliver a nice looking drink that taste good and has an above average kick. I’m not going to say it is groundbreaking or anything but it is a well done product. I think they are selling the whole lifestyle as much as the drink. If that is the case then they are doing a good job on that end as well. If you see this drink I say give it a try and let me know what you think.
I'm Gonna Get U Sucka
Caffeinated suckas
So I love trying all these alternative energy products. kingofcaffeine.com was nice enough to hook me up with some samples and right away I was attracted to these suckers. Not that I love sucking on stuff but the idea is pretty cool I think. You know you can’t just get all the caffeine at once so it will be a slow release. Lets check these out
Packaging: Nothing to write home about. Very homemade looking. The lightning burst behind the sucker image is nice. They do provide caffeine content so I appreciate that. I like that the packaging is clear so you can see the product inside. I’ll give it a grade of C- for packaging
Slogan: None at all. That is ashamed really. There is potential there for a funny slogan. Grade F
Taste:
All these taste good. These are pretty big suckers so you might have to lick them some before putting the whole thing in your mouth. Kind of like foreplay lol. Takes over an hour to eat one. There was no caffeine bitterness in any of these
Kick/Ingredients: So each time I tried one of these they delivered pretty good. It was not an intense buzz or any thing but it is more like an alertness. You stay alert and awake as long as you are eating one. If I needed to get through that last hour or so of work these were a great option since I’d be able to sleep when I got home. Once again kind of like sex. Once you’re finished you can fall right asleep and then wake up with your face all sticky. The only energy ingredients in here is 60 mg caffeine. You get this with 110 calories, 31 grams of carbs, and 22 grams of sugar. Grade C- for kick/ingredients
Web Presence: The official site is at mcjakcandy.com and it is pretty sad. There is not much info there and it looks even more amateur than my site. They only sell wholesale. Grade D for web presence. Your best bet is to visit kingofcaffeine.com where you can get these at a really good price.
Recap:
So there are pros and cons to these suckers. Pros they last an hour so they are a good option for when you need to stay awake but not all night and they taste good. Cons sore jaws and waking up with a sticky face. Really though I think these are worth your trying. I enjoyed them and they are a good bargain.
Frozen soul, frozen down to the core
Iced EN r G berry
Ok so my wife spotted this and pointed it out to me. Wow an energy popsicle! That is a first and I have never seen or heard of this anywhere. It is made by Dryers yet there is no advertising or anything about it anywhere.
Packaging: So it comes in a plastic wrapper. It is labeled nice and is easy to spot as an energy product. I like the way they printed the name. Not bad and it even list the caffeine amount on the back. I had a hard time getting the pop out. Grade C+
Slogan: “Recharge” is there on the label. Nothing special but it is something. Grade C
Taste: So I opened it and started to suck(hey get your mind out of the gutter). The flavor starts out as a nice mixed berry with Raspberry being dominant but in the finish the pomegranate comes in with a strong flavor. The ice itself is kind of like a bomb pop as far as consistency goes being kind of creamy. The flavor really sticks to the tongue and you will be tasting this long after you have finished it. It’s pretty big but I enjoyed it. Grade C+
Kick/Ingredients: Well you can only eat it so fast but still I never really got much of a kick. There was a mild boost similar to a can of Mountain Dew. It woke me up a little but only for about an hour. There was no crash. The energy ingredients in this ice treat include 45 mg caffeine, 150 mg Taurine, Modest amounts of B vitamins(35%) and some vitamin C. It comes in with 100 calories and 24 grams of carbs and sugars. It is sweetened with sugar. Grade D for kick/ingredienst
Web Presence: Man I could find zero information about this ice treat anywhere. Not even mentioned on the Dryers website. Grade F
Recap:
Ok so they took a really unique idea and bombed. I love the idea but they just did not deliver a quality product. Better taste and more energy would work better. If it was smaller(like a freezer pop) maybe you could eat 2 but this is too big to eat more than one. Maybe on a hot day you could try one rectally and it might do the trick but to eat one just does not deliver. Sure if a hot chick were eating one it might get your juices flowing but otherwise I say pass until someone delivers a better product.
Under the leaves of that old Lime Tree
Redline Xtreme Lime
Ok so Redline is one of my favorite drink companies. They make extreme drinks and shots. Not only are their product super potent but they have a genius of flavoring tucked away somewhere. They make some great tasting stuff. I mean for sugar free non carbonated drinks that are packed with ingredients they manage to somehow make them tasty. Then there is the fact that regular Redline is a super strong drink but this one is Xreme which means more good stuff. Let’s check out this new flavor.
Packaging: Comes in an 8 oz clear plastic bottle. The bottle has a resealable lid and on the top of the lid is a warning telling you to read the label before drinking and saying it contains 2 servings. The bottle is wrapped in a red label with a circle of sliced limes around the neck. One new thing for this bottle is the “Drink Regulation gauge” which is a clear part of the label so you can measure out 1 serving. Nice touch there. The fonts are nice and while a bit busy(provides a lot of info) the label looks pretty sharp. Grade B+
Slogan: Hmm. New slogan here. “Razor Sharp Reaction” is on the bottle and it is a good one. It refers to the fact that a study has shown Redline Xtreme to increase reaction time by 7.5%. Great job of putting this key information into a slogan. Grade A-
Taste: So I twist of the lid and I get a scent of limes. Not lime drink or lemon lime. This stuff smells like a real lime! There is no energy or vitamin smell present. Pouring some in a cup it is totally clear like water and is non carbonated. I take a sip and I am blown away. This drink really taste like it smells. It tastes like a pure real sweetened lime juice. I mean the aftertaste even reminds me of that of a real lime. It does not taste sugar free at all. Like I have said before the flavoring guys at Redline are genius. This stuff is flat out delicious. Grade A
Kick/Ingredients: Ok so I made a mistake. The weather was bad all week and I was stuck inside. I had gotten some bottles of this drink and really wanted to try it. So I went ahead and drank it at work. So in ten minutes I was jacked like crazy. I was tingly, jittery, and really grinning like Jack Nicholson in the shinning. I only drank half at first then 30 minutes later finished the rest. I had a hard time sitting still and was wishing I could just go out side and run like I was freakin Forrest Gump, punch someone in the face as hard as Brock Lessnar , or try to break the record for the most pushups in a minute. Let me tell you this is the epitome of Xtreme energy condensed into a drink. My energy lasted a solid 5 hours with no crash. So what the hell is in this stuff? Per bottle you have 316 mg Caffeine, Beta-Alanine , Beta-Phenylethylamine , Evodiamine, 5-Hydroxy-L-Tryptophan (5-HTP), N-methyl Tyramine ,5-Hydroxy-L-Tryptophan (5-HTP),Vinpocetine ,Yohimbine, Yerba mate, Tyrosine, and green tea extract. There is also an electrolyte blend of Calcium, Magnesium, and potassium. This comes with no calories or carbs. It is sweetened with Sucralose. Grade A+ for kick/ingredients
Web Presence: redlinerush.com is a pretty nice site. I found all of the information on products and ingredients, Testimonials, Videos, A FAQ, and a where to buy section. This is not just a site for Redline but is also a site for other VPX products. It’s a cool looking flash based site that will appeal to the consumer who would be buying Redline and other VPX products. They have a Facebook as well Grade B+ for web presence.
Recap:
Ok so if you want to feel real extreme energy this is your drink. Start with ½ bottle though and be smart. This is not child’s play here. This is serious hardcore energy. I don’t anyone anywhere who makes a more potent drink. This one is probably the top of my list of the best energy drinks. As if freaking insane do stuff energy were not enough this stuff taste great as well. Redline really has delivered one of the best energy drinks know to man. If you have enough balls and you are old enough seek this out. I truly believe the claims they make as to energy and reaction. I mean if you drank this and then had a slap fight with someone you would totally destroy them(Don’t know why but I kept thinking slap fight after I had drank this lol).
Hello Daddy, hello Mom
I'm your ch ch ch ch ch cherry bomb
NOS loaded Cherry
Ok so I am lacking in reviewing most of the more established name brand energy drinks like Monster, Amp, Red Bull, and Nos. The way I see it is that their original flavors are just not that interesting. I mean if you are an energy drink fan you probably have tried all of these already. That said I do like reviewing any new drinks put out by the big boys. This new NOS flavor was revealed at E3 a few weeks ago and I was lucky to find a can soon after that. Sure I had to stop at like 10 different stores but I finally struck gold.
Packaging: While the NOS bottles are awesome their cans are just so so. This loaded Cherry is in a can at the moment and it is not bad. It is not overly busy and it has the nice NOS logo with the arrow. The can is a darker red than the punch NOS but it is close enough that you might not notice it in the cooler. One really nice thing is the nutrition label on the back which clearly list caffeine per serving as well as per can. Overall not a bad can but nothing special either. Grade C+
Slogan: “High Performance energy drink” is the only thing I could find. Still it’s a pretty good one that fits with the whole NOS and racing theme. Grade B
Taste: So I pop the top and right off I get a nice cherry candy scent. I pour some in a cup and it comes out a light red color with a medium to high carbonation level. I take a sip and the flavor is a sweet maraschino cherry. That is it really. No other flavors like a cherry punch and no energy ingredients taste just sweet cherry. The level of sweetness is pretty high but I think it is the right level for a cherry drink. It is not cloying but is just right on the edge. If you like cherry this is a good one. I think this would make a hell of a mixer as well. Grade B
Kick/Ingredients: So I was having a weird day. I was just wiped out all day and could no seem to get going. I drank down the whole can in short order and it lived up to the NOS name. It was like I was injected with energy. It was quick and hard energy. I was in 5th gear and my day long sluggishness was left eating my dust. This drink really packs a punch. I was full on wired with some jitters. My concentration was off as I jumped from this to that not being to stay focused on one thing for long. This is a fun buzz. It lasted a good 3 hours before I burned out and hit the wall. This crash is like one of those you see on Sports center where a tire flies into the stands. Pretty epic. When your going that fast though with a full sugar buzz that is what you expect. Nos is powered by per can 260 mg caffeine , 2000 mg Taurine, L theanine , and a good dose of B vitamins. It comes in at 220 calories, and 56 grams of carbs and sugars. It is sweetened with HFC and sucralose. It seems they got rid of the inositol and L carnitine for some reason? Grade B for kick/ingredients
Web Presence: The website at drinknos.com is a top shelf site. It offers a lot to look at as long as you are into car racing. They have toned down the hot chicks some since my last review. There are contest, videos, events, and minimal ingredients info. They also have a Facebook . I give them a grade of B- for web presence. Really if you are not into car racing the site offers little for you.
Recap:
Ok so this is a damn tasty cherry drink. The kick is just like a NOS in a car. It is fast, intense, and short lived. Damn fun while it last. The crash was big because it is mostly sugar and caffeine. Still it is a drink worth trying I think. If you need a hard fast boost and like cherry then this is one you need to check out. Not sure why they changed their ingredients from their other drinks though?
Baby I want you to be my entourage
Kronik Entourage
Ok so here we are back with another revamped drink from Kronik. The old version of Kronik Entourage had 80% juice. This new one has no juice. I think this is a sign of things to come. The juice trend may be dying off. I actually have a can of the original I’m gonna bust out to see which is better. Is Kronik Entourage new and improved? Thanks to Kronik for sending me this new version.
Packaging: Ok so I think the can has improved a lot. The old can was a little busy. The new can is black with an orange barb wire logo. I really like the colored pattern used in the Kronik name on the front. I like how Kronik is sticking to their same design across the different drinks. Grade B
Slogan: This time Kronik went with a cool drink specific slogan “Caution: This is what Wills was talking about” I am loving these guys sense of humor. They also have the “Unrelenting Energy” found on all the cans. Grade A
Taste: I have no idea what the flavor should be. I pop the top and get a nice tropical citrus scent. The liquid comes out a light orange color with a medium carbonation level. I take a sip and I get some nice orange flavor up front with some sweet mango at the finish. This stuff taste good and even though there is no juice in it I think it taste pretty natural. Wow I am impressed. This is very different than the original which was kinda nasty. I think they really improved this drink 110%. There is no bitterness or aftertaste. Grade B
Kick/Ingredients: Man it was the day after a big party at my house and I was really dragging. I drank this new Entourage down and in 15 minutes it breathed new life into me. Before I was having a hard time functioning. Now I was breaking out Guitar Hero world tour for a jam. I ripped through 3 gigs and really nailed all the notes. I actually had to slow down some since I was a little jacked up and had some mild jitters. My mood was awesome and after playing some I moved on outside to get some real work done. I had a good mid level buzz for about 4 hours with only a little bit of a sugar crash. Kronik is powered by per can 150 mg Caffeine, 2000 mg Taurine, 100 mg Ginseng, 100 mg Guarana, 50 mg Ginko Biloba, 50 mg Inositol, 150 mg Glucuronolactone, 50 mg Milk Thistle, and a good dose of B vitamins along with some vitamin C. Then they even throw in some Glucosamine. This comes with 240 calories, 60 grams of carbs, and 56 grams of sugars. I give it a grade of B-
Web Presence: The site at kronikenergy.com is finally up to speed. It was in transition for a while but now seems complete. There is product info, team, photos, Kronik Radio and more. Hell they even sponsor a bass fisherman which is a first. They also have a Facebook and a Twitter. Grade B
Recap:
So trying both the new and the old Entourage I have to say the old one was bad. This new Entourage is so much better. I really think they nailed this one. It looks sharp, taste great and provides a good kick. I think you should check it out. If you tried the old Entourage you owe it to yourself to give this new one a try as it is pretty damn good.
Now you can't catch me, baby you can't catch me
Hydrive energy Chews. Berry Burst
Ok so people who did not like orange felt left out of the joy that is Hydrive energy chews. So Hydrive decided to help you all out by releasing these great little energy chews in a berry flavor. I am always glad when a company offers there product in different flavors.
Packaging: Like the original orange flavor these berry chews come in a nice little pouch that containing 4 foil wrapped soft chews. At the top it reads “Full Power energy chews” in white font which jumps out well against the red packaging. The gright Hydrive logo looks good in the middle and these have a hole in the pack so you can hang them up easily to display. Nice packaging. Grade B
Slogan: “Better Energy” is the perennial slogan for all Hydrive products and reflects well the idea behind all Hydrive products. Grade B
Taste: So I tore open the package and got a hint of berry scent. Opening the foil pack on the very soft chews(much softer than a starburst) I get a nice little red rectangle. I chew 2 of them up and there is a nice mixed berry flavor with just a hint of grit and some slight saltiness. There is a hint of an after taste but just a tad. Overall a nice enjoyable flavor. These might not be as good as the orange chews but they are as good as most chewy candies. Grade B- for taste
Kick/Ingredients: I was going for a jog so I chewed up 2 of these while I did some stretching and washed them down with some water. In about 10 minutes my energy was up and I was ready to go. I felt like my usual run required less effort and I tons of smooth energy. I got to my usual turn around point but was feeling so good that I went at least another mile no problems. I made it back home and still had some pep left. I’d say the energy lasted 4 hours with no crash. These chews power you with 80mg caffeine, 66mg of Taurine, full daily values of your B vitamins, and 200% dv for vitamin C. You get this with 40 calories, 8 grams of carbs, and 6 grams of sugars. You even get 10% of your daily calcium! Grade B+ for kick/ingredients
Web Presence: hydriveenergy.com is a pretty nice site. It is very well laid out and easy to navigate. The colors used throughout are very bright and energetic. There is a ton of info on all of their products as well as a store, their story, press, cycling info, and much more. Fun site to visit as well as look around on. Get some cycling tips from the world’s fastest cyclist Sam Whittingham even. Grade B- for web presence.
Recap:
As with the orange flavor I really enjoyed these chews. They gave me some good energy for my exercise and if my run had been longer I could have easily brought more along to provide energy and carbs until I was finished. I think they are onto something with these chews and I highly suggest you give them a try. You can easily get 2 sample packs from the Hydrive website and all you have to pay is shipping. So really there is no reason not to try these. While the berry is not as tasty as the orange it is still a great product and now orange haters can enjoy Hydrive chews as well.
Let’s go out in a blaze of glory
All good things must end
Ol’ Glory
Well it is the 4th of July so I dug back into my stash. If you are an ed junkie you would drool over the stash I have. My wife on the other hand is pissed that the spare bedroom looks like a beverage warehouse. Still on occasions like this it’s fun the spend 30 minutes digging around to find that special drink. I can tell you that when the zombie apocalypse happens I am well prepared for staying awake fighting of the hoards of the undead for weeks.
Packaging: So this is an older can but the design has not changed much. If you look up cheesy in the dictionary this can is probably used as an example. It’s just a little over the top. Sure they could have used the flag but then they had to add in an eagle and the pledge of allegiance. Still they through in some patriotic statements just for good measure. Grade D for packaging.
Slogan: “America’s energy drink” Ok so I get it. Still that is not exactly screaming energy at me. Grade C
Taste: So I open it up and in smells of a nice citrus which is a surprise to me. Pouring some in a cup it is a yellow brown liquid with a medium carbonation. Taking a sip I get a nice lemon lime soda. It’s just like a Sprite or 7up really. I can’t taste any energy ingredients and I’d say it is a pretty good generic lemon lime soda. It’s not as crisp as a Sprite but it’s not bad. No bitterness or after taste. I am glad it is not an RB clone like I expected. Grade C+
Kick/Ingredients: So I opted for this drink instead of my morning coffee. It’s hot and humid out so I thought a cold drink would be best this morning. I drank it down and in 15 minutes I was awake and ready to go. Nothing big but it did wake me up and get me going. I’d put it on par with your average 8 oz energy drink as far as kick goes. It only lasted about 2 hours and then I crashed pretty hard. This drink contains per 16 oz can 100 mg caffeine, 500 mg Taurine, 20 mg Ginseng, 20 mg Guarana, 100 mg Inositol, and modest amounts of B vitamins. It comes in at 220 calories and 54 grams of sugars and carbs. It is sweetened with HFC. Grade D for kick.
Web Presence: The website at olglory.com continues with the cheesiness. It opens with a flash show about extreme sports vs the military. The overall look is not awful and it is easy to navigate. They do provide a nice comparison page with ingredients and a few other pages but nothing really fun or interesting. Grade C-
Recap:
Ok so for an 8 oz drink this might have been ok kick wise but for a 16 oz can it is like when you light a fire cracker and it just fizzles. It is a dud. I have had military themed energy drinks and shots ( Ammo, Recon) in the past that were done with much more class and style. Still if you are hard up for cash this is a bargain since it usually only cost 99 cents which is cheaper than most 8 oz drinks. Still you could probably just by a 20 oz Mtn Dew and it would work as well or even better hit your local Big lots store for bargain energy drinks. I have to say this is a drink I would not recommend.