RATING: 7.2 OUT OF 10.
The product I am reviewing today comes from a company that I have never really liked, despite raving about in in 2009. Yes, it is 5 Hour Energy, and my first experience with it was most likely a placebo. To be honest, it wouldn't be anywhere near my top 10 now (it is 7th on Addicted 2 Energy's Top 10 Highest Rated Energy Products). I also do not like their commercials and their marketing techniques. It is just something about their whole image that I really don't enjoy. Nevertheless, I am back for round 3, this time the bottle is sporting an extra strength label and a grape flavor. I must say, I really like the packaging, it is extremely simplistic but also quite cool. But, of course, packaging isn't everything. Let's see how it fairs in the taste department.
When I first saw that the flavor was grape, one taste came to mind: cough syrup. Since some cough syrups are grape flavored, and some energy shots can be quite medicinal, it was only fair to think that it would not have a pleasant flavor. As it turns out, I was completely wrong. This does not, in any way, taste like cough syrup. In fact, it actually has a pretty good flavor and went down the esophagus with no problem whatsoever. So, I will give props to Living Essentials for making a tasty energy shot.
It's been a long time since I took a gander at 5 Hour Energy's list of energy ingredients, so let's see what I got myself into today: 200 percent daily value of niacin, 2,000 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 8,333 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and 2,000 milligrams worth of taurine, glucuronolactone, malic acid, n-acetyl-l-tyrosine, l-phenylalanine, caffeine, and citicoline. The caffeine content is officially unknown, but it is estimated at being roughly 250 milligrams per 2 ounce bottle.
Even though this does have "as much caffeine as a 12 ounce cup of the leading premium coffee", I have to say I didn't really feel a lot of effectiveness from this drink. I had high hopes that this would be the drink that would restore my liking for 5 Hour Energy, but unfortunately that was not the case. I received a mediocre boost in energy, but nothing like the buzz people talk about when the have a 5 Hour Energy.
Overall, 5 Hour Energy Extra Strength Grape is not a bad energy shot by any means, even if it isn't as effective as some of the other shots I have tried. The grape flavor is pretty nice and does not need a chaser to wash it down. And the 5 Hour Energy Blend isn't bad either. Basically, it's just the kick that needs work, at least in my opinion. 7.2 out of 10.
