Inject the Venom
Venom Black Mamba Energy Drink
Ok so it was only a matter of time before Dr Pepper/Snapple got into the energy drink market. I’m in Texas and DR Pepper is big here and for many a way of life. With that in mind I had high expectations when I heard about the new Venom energy drinks. It’s always exciting when a big player roles out a new energy drink. I was lucky enough to find a bottle of both Venom drinks. I’ll be reviewing the Black Mamba one first.
Packaging: Wow! They really went for it with the packaging. This is bound to get your attention when you see it. Venom Black Mamba comes in a 16.9 oz resealable aluminum bottle. The bottle is deep red fading into black with a huge snake skin graphic including an evil looking red snake eye at the center. It looks dangerous and potent! The Name “Black Mamba” is at the top along with the slogan(more on that later). The name “Venom” is in a wicked red and white font with the V dripping blood. The screw on lid is also aluminum and has the slogan on it. On the back of the bottle is supplement facts and a cool little blurb that reads “When you want to stay razor sharp, with the energy to strike first and leave your mark, you need the vicious venom of a Black Mamba” I’m giving them an A++ for packaging. Truly they put a ton of effort into the packaging. This is a super cool bottle and I love the resealable lid. The Font on the name is one of the best I have ever seen on an energy drink.
Slogans: They went all out on the slogan as well. It’s printed on the aluminum bottle several times. “Piercing Energy That Strikes Back” It sounds good but I could live with out the piercing part. Overall though I have to give it a grade of B+
Taste ect: Hmm, the bottle is red at the top. Will it be a berry or cherry flavor? Alas no. I am shocked when I twist off the top and my nose is pierced by that familiar RB clone scent. I don’t let that slow me down though. I pour some in a glass and it comes out a light brown color with a mid level carbonation. I take a sip and it is your typical RB clone flavor. It’s a pretty good RB clone with no bitterness or gumminess but nothing thrilling. I am seriously let down. Why o why do companies keep putting these RB clones out? I kind of understand why the smaller companies might stick with the tried and true but a company this size should have branched out. Monster taste like Monster, Full Throttle taste like Full Throttle. Bawls taste like bawls. They don’t taste like Red Bull. Come DP Snapple is this the best you could come up with flavor wise? I still give it a grade of C for taste. It’s just that, average.
Kick/Ingredients: I can probably overlook the uninspired taste if the kick is there. I got a good boost of energy after drinking down the entire bottle of Venom Black Mamba. The buzz lasted 3 or 4 hours and there was a slight crash. For energy per bottle you have 160 mg of caffeine, an energy blend of Taurine, L-Carnatine, Guarana, Inositol, Glucuronoactone, and maltodextrin. You also have plenty of B vitamins. There are 240 calories, 29 grams of carbs, and 28 grams of sugar. Main ingredients are Carbonated water, Sugar, Glucose, and citric acid. Once again just average. I give them a grade of C+ for kick/ingredients. It gives you energy in the normal amounts and it is a nice boost if you drink the entire 16.9 oz bottle.
Web presence: Well this is a new drink and I can find hardly anything as far as web presence goes. I’ll give them a NA for the time being.
Recap:
Venom Black Mamba had me scared. I was expecting to be struck with great taste and energy befitting the Black Mamba which is a super deadly snake. The bottle was wicked but then it turns out this is no super deadly snake. I was mistaken. It’s like I was walking along bare footed through the woods and suddenly stopped as a Black Mamba was poised to strike my foot bringing instant death. Then after I got a good look I realized it was just a common every day Garter Snake and I just moved on ignoring it.
