Amp Energy Juice Mixed Berry

The second of the two new Juice flavors is Mixed Berry, as you can most likely see on the left. Mixed berry can be more than relatively different for every other company that decides to take it on, whereas orange and grape, for example, are mostly the same. Because Amp targets breakfast or early morning caffeine consumers, they decided to go with the down-home, basic breakfast, juicy flavors: orange and berry. They're also advising you to give Amp a try, rather than pouring yourself a routine cup of coffee every morning, or driving out to Starbuck's, for that matter. Anyways, what allured me the most when I reviewed the Amp Orange a few weeks ago, was the synonymous flavor it shared with basic orange juice. Despite the bitterness pin-pointed at the B vitamins and other energy ingredients, I didn't think the Orange was that bad at all. Knowing that, my expectations are higher for the mixed berry. Stated in the previous review, a bit of background info about the Amp Juice: it's made from juice concentrates (So don't forget to shake the bottle before opening; it's got pulp), they're made in 12 ounce bottles, and they're absolutely, 100% Juice. Predictions? Well, I'm going to guess grape, strawberry and blueberry, accompanied by the usual bitterness.

Twisting open the large, purple cap, the scent isn't really enticing, but more bland. However, if I stick my nose far enough in, there's some hearty, all-pure berry aroma. I don't have to pour the drink out, because the bottle is translucent. Peering straight through the bottle, I see a dark, orange-purple mixture. Taking a bold sip, the first thing I notice is the smooth, sour flavor of grape, orange, and blueberry, with fading flavors of raspberry, and the consistency exactly like that of orange juice. More subtle, there are hints of strawberry in the aftertaste, that literally calls you back for more. It's thick and syrupy due to the pulp, as it reminds me of a smoothie, just without the ice. There definitely is much less bitterness in this drink than the Orange, which I believe the reason to be the stronger flavor of the berry masks most of the bitterness, as opposed to lighter Orange being unable to do so. It's not carbonated, which I think you could have assumed by now. On a final note, the flavor is exceptional, and perhaps my personal favorite of the two Juices. Let's see how the kick compares.

Per bottle, the Amp Juice has a reputation to load up on calories and sugar, with about 200 calories and 42 grams of sugar in one 12 ounce bottle. On a much better note, however, this bottles got 100% juice, which means you get 100% of your daily fill of Vitamin C, and 150% of Vitamins B6 and B12, Niacin, and pantothenic acid. Other ingredients are found in this drink such as: orange juice from concentrate, white grape juice, natural and artificial flavor, citric acid, taurine, guarana seed, caffeine, ascorbic acid, modified food starch, niacin, calcium pantothenate, panax ginseng, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, lycopene, and Vitamin B12. Realistically, there aren't any out-of-the-ordinary ingredients, with the exception of maybe the juice concentrates, though this isn't the first energy drink with definite juice concentrates. As for the kick, it impacted me in waves of mainly jitters, and as a generic pick-me-up, with slight alertness raised. Overall, the better of the two Juice products. I think Amp did a great job, all in all, in created an alternative to coffee, being that many energy drink labels have not yet made that jump thus far. What's the best way to expend this energy? Watching the Celtic's game, of course!

Taste: 8 - Smooth grape, blueberry, orange breakfast 'blend', with only traces of bitterness
Kick: 7.6 - Relatively similar kick to that of a Monster, maybe a bit less, with less energy ingredients
Overall: 7.8 - Go for this one if you're a fan of berry+orange

Reviewed by: Chan

Amp Energy Gum

Every once in a while, you run into a very cool energy product, an alternative form of your brand-name energy drinks. Today, I'm lucky to have a pack of Amp Energy Gum. I would typically overlook a no-name brand energy gum, but what makes this product special to me is the fact it's an Amp. A large company, Amp is known for producing quality energy products, and it appears they've quickly become a part of the recent energy shot/gum surge. A review like this is fun for me because I personally love the flavor of the regular Amp. As far as I know, Amp is the first of the "behemoths" except Rockstar to make and market an energy gum. Anyway,

Amp Energy Gum comes with 10 well-sized sugar-free pieces.

Much like the regular Amp, this is citrus flavored and is infused with Caffeine, B-Vitamins, and Taurine - probably the three biggest components in energy drinks. I wasn't sure how much this would affect the taste, but I hoped for the best.

I spaced out about 4 or 5 pieces throughout the day, noting the flavor and texture each time. When you pop one piece in your mouth, its crunchy shell cracks and releases that familiar lemony-limey-orangey flavor I've come to love from Amps. It's only slightly different because the energy ingredients are slightly present, adding a certain bitterness, but that's most likely to be expected of an energy gum. Unfortunately, after maybe 5 minutes, the flavor dwindles and you're left with a faint remnant of that awesome Amp flavor. Continue to chew, and the Caffeine and B-Vitamins become more prevalent, until the gum gets quite bitter and earthy. I predict some at this point may want to spit the gum out, but my gut tells me if I stop chewing I'll give up a lot of energy. I chewed my pieces to the bitter end (no pun intended), until eventually, the texture turned to mush the way certain kinds of gum do, and I could only swallow it. Overall, the gum lasts a decent while, though the flavor doesn't. However, I have to admit, I somewhat enjoyed the bitterness of the energy ingredients; it's not something you find in most gum. Curiously, while chewing, I had a craving for an Amp energy drink.

The ingredients are as follows: Malitol, Sorbitol, Gum Base, Malitol Syrup, Taurine, Carnuba Wax, Natural Flavor, Caffeine, Gum Arabic, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Titanium Dioxide, Niacinimide, Malic Acid, Sucralose, Aspartame, Glycerine, Calcium Pantothenate, Soy Lecithin, Fumaric Acid, Resinous Glaze, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Acesulfame Potassium, and BHT. Per serving (2 pieces), you get an 80mg dose of Caffeine, and 100% of your daily B-Vitamins. 4 pieces gives you a 160mg dose, roughly equivalent to a strong 16ozer. Notice there's no sugar in this, but a whole bunch of other sweeteners: Malitol, Sorbitol, Malitol Syrup -- sugar alcohols, very common in gum -- Sucralose (Splenda), and Ace-K. Combined, this gum doesn't taste the least bit artificial, and I could easily mistake it for sugared gum -- definitely a plus. In terms of effect, chewing a piece every one or two hours kept me totally hyped and alert the entire day, and it still hasn't yielded a crash into the evening. The feeling is a bit different than an energy drink; the boost feels more instantaneous, and there's certainly little chance of an upset stomach. And of course, it's 10 calories as opposed to 200. Overall, I'd highly recommend this gum both for the kick and the taste. Gotta tell ya, I love that Amp citrus.

Taste: 8.2 - Delicious Amp citrus flavor, however some may not enjoy bitterness of energy ingredients
Kick: 8.6 - Fantastic, fast-acting boost that keeps you going and doesn't disappoint
Overall: 8.4 - A great energy product, and a great gum, in my opinion.

Note: mileage may vary.

Reviewed by: Jeff

Amp Energy Juice Orange

Do you recognize the delightful taste of Amp? How about orange juice? Well, if you combine together, you get Amp Energy Juice Orange. Today, I'm here reviewing an energy drink much anticipated by myself. I've never seen an energy drink that's dedicated to skipping out on coffee in morning, and combines their original formula with a real orange flavor, like this one. You do see Monster M-80, which is orange, lemon, lime, etc. and Monster Chaos, for example, but the main difference between that and this juice is that Monster uses "natural flavors", while the Juice is goes into more detailed by using orange juice and white grape juice concentrate. Amp suggests skipping out on you're cup of joe, and downing a 12 ounce bottle of this energized juice. So, this morning, that's exactly what I did. Being the usually groggy and caffeine-deprived person I am, I'm just about to break this bottle open and down it. Before I do that, however, I'm gonna examine the bottle in further detail. Looking at the front of the bottle, there's Amp's logo "A" in orange, in front of an orange background as well. At the top, I see "100% Juice", which will determine the difference between any average orange-flavored energy drink, and this one. My prediction will be a basic pulpy orange juice flavor, with a bit of Amp's original mix. Let's find out.

Giving the small bottle a thorough shake, I open up the wide, orange cap. Immediately, an odd, yet pure and pungent aroma filled the area. It reminded me most of the Awake Orange. The color is exactly like the color of orange juice, though just a bit darker, I think. Taking my first sip, I was thrown off by the flavor, which is best described as your every day orange juice, with slightly more bitterness from the vitamins, caffeine, and other energy supplements. Its flavor is subtle, as it fades quickly into a near revolting aftertaste of vitamins, but again, best just described as bitterness. About halfway finished with the 12 ounce bottle, I find the taste more smooth, like Tropicana, as if much of the bitterness has disappeared. Because it's not carbonated, it goes down easy, once you get past the noticeable gumminess from some of the fruit concentrates. I wanted to say that Amp did a fantastic job creating an orange drink that has very little added sugar, and for the most part is 100% juice. Overall, Amp Energy Juice is not only tasty, but is refreshing as well on another warm day, just as summer approaches.

Per bottle of Amp, you get a whopping 190 calories and about 41 grams of sugar. On average, an energy drink will have 200-220 calories per can, but that's in a complete 16 ounce can, not 12 such as this bottle. On a more optimistic side, however, you get 100% of your daily amount of Vitamin C, 150% of niacin, Vitamin B6, B12, and pantothenic acid. In a complete bottle, Amp packs in a vast amount of ingredients such as: orange juice, white grape juice, citric acid, taurine, guarana seed extract, caffeine, ascorbic acid, gum arabiv, natural and artificial flavor, niacin, calcium pantothenate, modified food starch, panax ginseng, sucrose acetate isobutyrate, Vitamin E acetate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, and cyanocobalamin. Most of these ingredients come standard in energy drinks, with the exception of the three fruit juices. Well, when it came down to the kick, I had to admit, I was disappointed. It acted almost like a coffee: it wakes you up, gets you through a few hours, and leaves you with a mean crash. Of course proportionally, the amount of caffeine per 12 ounce bottle is set, but if you're looking for a great kick, I hate to disappoint you. After it all, I was satisfied with the smooth orange juice-like flavor, and somewhat grateful for the kick to follow.

Taste: 7.5 - Good orange juice take, though somewhat bitter from all the energy ingredients
Kick: 7 - Generic coffee/energy drink jitteriness
Overall: 7.3 - Give it a shot; maybe you'll prefer it over your morning routine of coffee

Reviewed by: Chan

Amp Lightning

On the way to an OHV-riding destination, Chan and I made a stop at a small market and found the ever-elusive Amp Lightning and Von Dutch. Looking from outside the cooler, the Amp Lightning stared me in the face with its audacious yellow cover and the bold word "Lightning." Amp calls this a "shock of lemonade flavor" and an "explosive energizing bolt." I can agree this sounds fierce and the yellow can screams "tasty." I was tempted to give this a try after riding ATVs, but I decided this was a drink too precious to let go unreviewed. I've saved it for today, hoping to get the best review out of it.

One of the more sour-smelling lemonade scents meets me as soon as I open the can, with a good deal of lemon sourness and a bit of nice sweetness. It excites me, only to let me down with a not-so-special flavor. While one would agree this does taste like Lemonade, in one form or another, it's not that special homemade extra-sour, extra-delicious lemonade I had in mind. What I'm getting is more of a polished, toned down lemonade with that cheek-pinching sourness gone, replaced with a mild sourness on the tongue. I will admit, however, there's a real nice round sweetness to this that comes across nice and fruity - not the absolute essence of lemon, but still nice and fruity. I probably expected this to be sweeter than it tastes, but actually, the sweetness is actually quite adequate. I think what I've missed is that severe sourness and then the bright sweetness of cane sugar balancing it out. Amp's cooked up a smoother lemonade that goes down easier, but doesn't have me coming back constantly for more. Without a doubt, that good old homemade lemonade still hits the spot; I think I even prefer the Tropicana light lemonade to this, because it has that genuine "lemonade" quality to it. The Amp Lightning comes across oversweet with a pesky aftertaste that won't easily leave my pallete. On the bright side, Amp comes out of the can with an flourescent cloudy chartruce-yellow that's pretty wild. I saw this color almost at the end of the drink and now is when I really warm up to the drink. The carbonation hasn't been a huge problem, nor has the gumminess, but when most of the carbonation is gone this drink tastes much more lemony and delicious. Still, I can tell there's a fair amount of grapefruit in the mix, and it makes the Lightning taste quite a bit like a Squirt soda. Overall, I can't call this a mediocre drink, because admittedly, it did have some good flavor, just not exactly lemonade flavor. I know there are a whole lot of people out there who would appreciate it for what it is. I was just a bit bummed that this wasn't the lemonade I imagined.

Amp's ingredient's begin, not surprisingly, with carbonated water and HFCS. I wouldn't expect Amp to use sugar, considering they have always stuck to the cheaper, duller sweetener, High Fructose Corn Syrup. The rest of the list goes on as follows: Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Taurine, Guarana Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, L-Carnitine, Gum Arabic, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Glycerol Ester of Rosin, Niacinimide, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Calcium Pantothenate, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Yellow 5, Riboflavin. It's not a fantastic list, but I'm glad to see L-Carnitine, an amino acid. Amino acids are great for concentration and vitality, and Amp Lightning definitely put me in a vital and concentrated state. Other than that, I see no other fantastic energy ingredients, just the standards. One ingredient you won't see very commonly is Glycerol Ester of Rosin. According to Wikipedia, Glycerol Ester of Rosin is a common emulsifier and stabilizer in citrus-flavored drinks, keeping oils emulsified in water. I could see the need for this, considering lemon oil would be necessary in flavoring a lemon-flavored drink. Overall, it's not an amazing ingredients list, but the addition of L-Carnitne is a good idea and proves good at promoting vitality. In general, the Amp Lightning ain't bad on flavor, nor on kick, making it a solid, tasty drink with a smooth boost.

Taste: 9.2 - With Amp quality, you get a nice and tasty lemon-grapefruit I'd take anyday
Kick: 7.6 - Great when you're going for a smoother, more concentrated kick, minus the jitters
Overall: 8.5 - Good, but not on my go-to list. Not quite

Reviewed by: Jeff

Amp Traction

Okay, I'm so excited to review yet another Amp Product. After this review, we will have all the Amps covered, until they decide to come out with another product. I've saved the best for last, if you will. This one is called the Amp Traction because it's supposed to give you sustain, due to the maltodextrin and D-Ribose in the drink. It also notes at the bottom "Charge of Grape;" so I'm expecting a sharp grape flavor, with some original Amp mixed in, which is lime-orange. This can has an intense dark purple background, with black spikes sticking out from the top and bottom of the can. In front of it is the usual disfigured "A" and the words Amp in lowercase letters. The only difference is the word "Traction" that is stenciled in at the middle of the can in bold, spongy letters. I know that Amp makes a bold-tasting energy drink, but the newer ones just didn't appeal to me as much as the older ones did. So, I'll give this one a shot...

As I crack open the can, the Amp Traction reveals a deep purple aroma with a noticeable Amp flavor behind it. Out of the can, this Amp gives a crazy dark purple color, so dark, it could possibly be mistaken for black. Oh, yeah, I was right, I did save the best for last. Amp Traction brilliantly enters the mouth with a strong grape taste, similar to grape medicine, but it's tolerable and much sweeter. As it fades away, you get a sweet original Amp flavor that impressively compliments the main grape flavor. However, like most Amps, the aftertaste ruins almost the whole drink. Just like the Elevate, Overdrive, and Relaunch, the Traction has a bitter artificial aftertaste that just makes you feel like walking away. If you can imagine taking grape flavoring, adding some Splenda, or Sweet N' Low, and drinking it, you know what this aftertaste is like. This drink somewhat reminds me of grape juice, except carbonated, and with a bit more depth to it. Other than that, this is one unique Amp you cannot afford to miss out on. Because I've never seen an energy drink that has a grape flavor- or perhaps I should say a main grape flavor- I think that this drink deserves some good recognition. One thing I noticed about this drink is that I don't notice as much carbonation as the other Amps. Many avid energy drink aficionados prefer their energy drinks lightly carbonated, for full enjoyment of their beverage, so I believe this a great drink for energy drink lovers. Same old gumminess is found in this energy drink, a disappointing act of Amp to keep up with the amount of gumminess in their products. Overall, I was very pleased with this drink's structural flavor, but beginners to energy drinks beware, this is one intensely strong beverage.

Now for the ingredients. I see carbonated water (obviously), then HFCS, no surprise. I would really like to see Amp make a product that is sweetened with sucrose and glucose, instead of HFCS. Taurine then comes in at number 5, packing an immense kick. Following that is maltodextrin, to improve your sustain and "Traction." It also has guarana seed extract, sodium benzoate, sodium hexametaphosphate, caffeine, D-Ribose, gum arabic, niacinamide, panax ginseng root extract, and brominated vegetable oil. I did mention, however, that the aftertaste is similar to Splenda, I must be mistaken because I don't see sucralose, the 'code' word from Spenda, in this mix. I was ecstatic when I got this drink and ecstatic when I opened it up to find an insane taste, and I'm honored to be reviewing it now. I do understand why many people acclaimed this drink to be nasty because I understand that not a lot of people can tolerate a strong grape taste, but to a trained taste bud, this drink is actually not bad at all. I strongly advise you get this drink when you can, and when you do, leave me a comment on this review explaining what you thought about it.

Taste: 8 - It was good in my terms, but I'm a bit iffy on what others may think of it
Kick: 8 - A steady, solid kick so far
Overall: 8 - A great drink to have while just kicking back, (especially after a hot day over here!)

Reviewed by: Chan

Amp Elevate

Ahh, Amp. One of the sweetest, most familiar energy drinks on the market. Today, I decided to check out the new Amp Elevate, and I was pretty excited. As you might know, Amp came out with three new products about a month ago. Amp thought it was time make another product, so they came out with the Relaunch (Orange), Traction (Grape), and Elevate (Berry). I think the Elevate caught my eye because of its unique blue color. Unlike many other can designs, this one has a dark glossy blue, with dark streaks going up and down the can. At the bottom of the can, I notice the phrase "Blast Of Mixed Berry", so I'm assuming a variety of berry, apple, and possible some original lemon-lime Amp taste. I've always been fond of Amp's products, so I know this one will be pretty good. Here it goes.

After some can-opening trouble, I finally get a scent. Imagine the original Amp flavor-lemon, lime, and some orange-with a mixture of berries added in. The Elevate comes out of the can a pomegranate red color, with some purple hues here and there. This Amp has the same base flavor as all the other Amp products, original Amp. If you mix that with a combination of sweet mixed berries (blueberry, raspberry, boysenberry) and grape, you get a nice, smooth flavor. Right as it hits my mouth, I get a quick sensation of bitter alcohol like taste, maybe margarita mix or something. Then comes the aftertaste. The aftertaste is quite different than Amp's other flavors because it's unusually bitter. It's actually almost nasty, with makes me wanting more just to get rid of it. I guess you could say it's bland, with artificial sugary grape mixed in with the bitterness. I like the general flavor; it has a pretty mellow flavor, and is easy to drink and enjoy. However, the berry flavor tastes a bit generic, but it doesn't bug me too much because there's multiple flavors to help the main taste. Like most other Amps, the Elevate packs an intense carbonation, so be careful trying to take big sips. It's also pretty gummy (no surprise) because of the amount of high fructose corn syrup in the drink. I'm not a big fan of mixed berry in an energy drink, but I'm a pretty big fan of Amp itself. This one had a great flavor going into your mouth, the rest is all downhill.

Now for the ingredients. Amp uses HFCS in all their prodcuts, except the Sugar Free, which wasn't too bad at all. Next, I see only natural flavors; good to know because I thought I could taste some artificialness in it. No surpirse here, but I see sodium hexametaphosphate, an ingredient used in cosmetics. It's also got guarana seed, maltodextrin, gum arabic, ginseng, calcium, niacinamide, and brominated vegetable oil. Per can, you get about 220 calories, which isn't too bad, considering all the flavor. You also get about 58g of sugar, pretty much average, and not bad for Amp. Amp doesn't use much taurine in their products, but then again, it's not even proven to anything, in terms of giving you energy. But it has 296mg per can. 160mg of caffeine is what you get for drinking a whole can of this beast, not bad...not bad at all. Overall, I thought that this drink was only good when it hit your mouth. Three seconds later, it grossed me out.

Taste: 7.4 - Not a bad drink, but the aftertaste is dreadful
Kick: 8 - Amps are a great supplier of energy
Overall: 7.7 - I'll give it to Amp this time, it wasn't bad

Reviewed by: Chan

Amp Sugar Free

Hey, it's actually been awhile since my last review, and I've been craving to get one in. Ever since Canned Reviews started, I really wanted to review the Amp Sugar Free. So, after about 2 months, I went over to the local market and gave it a shot. I really like Amp's products, so this one will probably be just as good, except without the sugar and fewer calories. As you might know, Amp is made by Mountain Dew, a soft drink company which actually resembles Amp in flavor and color. This drink has a shiny silver background, with lime green streaks running up and down the can. In front, I get the usual disfigured "A" and the words Amp in lowercase letters. What differs from the original Amps is the bold, italicized words "Sugar Free" below the logo. I'm ready to crack this one open.

When the excess drink flies out due to the carbonation when I open it, I almost instantly get a natural aroma of tea and mango. Out of the can, it's color is sort of a light green and amber combination, similar to Monster and Amp, if it were to be mixed. Hm, what an odd flavor. If someone randomly went up to me and told me to try it, I would never believe that it's from the makers of Amp. This will take a lot of explaining to describe the taste. Let's first start off with the main taste. I first get a lime-mango taste, with cheek-pinching sourness. Following that, I get an orange-cantaloupe flavor, fading away with a light melon-berry flavor. My favorite part of this drink has to be the aftertaste. I, and many other people, prefer a drink with little to no aftertaste. So you can bet that this one will be a favorite. Another good part is that there is no gumminess whatsoever, most likely due to the fact that there is no sugar, or high fructose corn syrup. Like all the other Amps out there, however, I get a lot of carbonation, and I mean a LOT. So, although it is one light drink, it's not light enough to chug, so don't even try it. Overall, this was one great drink to review. I think of it as an honor to review such a drink like this. You really do not want to skip this drink, because, if you ask me, it was better than the original Amp. Great job, Mountain Dew and Amp.

Now for the ingredients. Instead of the usual HFCS, I see only natural flavors taking its place. I actually do taste the natural flavors, which is pleasing. Hm, this is a bit odd, "citric pectin." Oh, it's a healthy thickener, rarely placed in energy drinks, to obviously, thicken it. This drink also has a dosage of guarana seed, citric acid, sodium hexametaphosphate (cosmetics ingredient), maltodextrin, caffeine, sucralose (Splenda), acesulfame (artificial sweetener, related to aspartame), taurine, riboflavin, B vitamins and ginseng. Per can, you get a low dose of 10 calories, and 0g of sugar, that's it! Well, 0g of real sugar. It's pretty amazing what Amp can do, in terms of ingredients. You also get 20mg of taurine and 142mg of caffeine. I actually really enjoyed this drink; it was light, low in calories and sugar, and pretty flavorful. I just wish Amp would make more drinks similar to this one.

Taste: 7.5 - It was great, but it tasted a bit boring towards the end...
Kick: 8 - One of the better Amps that give a greater kick
Overall: 7.5 - You can't miss out on one of these

Reviewed by: Chan

Amp Overdrive Turbo Boost (Yerba Mate)

Chan's done all of the Amp drinks so far, and I wanted to have the chance to review one. This one I was lucky to find. It's the Overdrive, but it now fits in with the rest of the Amps, because of the can design and the tagline that reads "Turbo Boost." I was thinking that this was a new Amp flavor, but I just realized that it has become the regular Amp Overdrive. Anyway, it might be worth testing, because the formula may have changed. So I'm going to do a short revisit anyway.

Now, the color of this one is similar to the previous Overdrive, being a dark and vivid red, like a maraschino cherry. It also tastes a lot more like a maraschino cherry; there's much more cherry in this than the old Overdrive. And I swear I taste just a bit of Yerba Mate, a tea that has many beneficial properties. After the cherry flavor erupts in your mouth, the regular Amp flavor comes in, being that characteristic lemon-lime. And I can also taste some of that nasty brominated vegetable oil. It's not unbearable, but it's there. I guess Amp just made some minor adjustments to the flavor and the color.

Some interesting changes to the ingredients list: There's less sugar; 29 grams instead of the 30-something that used to be in the Amp. It's good that they reduced the amount, but I'd say it's not enough. It still tastes very sweet. Also, There are 8mg of Yerba Mate added in. That's not much at all, but it's something. Other than that, the new Amp Overdrive appears nearly identical to the older one.

Taste: 7.2 - Better than the old one, but still a bit too sweet and overpowering
Overall: 7 - Still not the best Amp

Reviewed by: Jeff

Amp Relaunch

Wow! I didn't know Amp sold their new products out in this part of the country. Amp finally spilled the beans, announcing the release of their three new flavors: Relaunch, Elevate, and Traction. They originally released in random parts of the Midwest and East Coast; test markets. I guess now, they've been released all throughout America; and as of right now, Amp has six total products. This drink, I found while shopping around for drinks, and I got excited. It is called Relaunch and supposedly is a orange-citrus 'burst.' When I look at the can, I see a glossy orange background, with random black lines going down and around the can. In front of that, I see a stylized 'A', their trademark logo, as well as the word Amp in lowercase. I know Amps are known for their quality taste and great energy, but I also know them for their weird ingredients, which I will speak of later. I'm eager to open the can.

When the can opens with a loud CRACK, I go in for a sniff. I am met with a subtle orange soda-like scent, similar to the Sobe Essential Energy. It rushes out of the can an orange creamsicle color, with a lot of carbonation. I don't think I've seen an energy drink with this much carbonation before. At first, I get a sweet orange soda taste, with what seems to be cream, and a hint of citrus added into it. As it fades away, I get a regular Amp flavor, which is why they dub it Orange + Amp. This is a unique flavor, the orange is light, and the Amp flavor (lemon-lime), takes over the drink. The Relaunch is more bitter than a regular Amp, I noticed, but it keeps me coming back for more. The Relaunch, I think has too much flavor all at once, so it kinda throws me off, but I know people like Jeff would appreciate it. This drink actually doesn't have much gumminess, which pleases me. Also, I don't really get a lot of carbonation, unlike what I had predicted. Overall, it was a pretty good drink, not excellent or phenomenal, just pretty good. I think I would enjoyed it more if it wasn't so bitter...

Next comes the ingredients. First off, I see carbonated water and HFCS. If you didn't know already, Amp uses HFCS in all their products, except the Sugar Free Amp, which I am yet to review. If I were to make an energy drink, I know I wouldn't put HFCS in it because the adverse health effects. Following that, I see natural and artificial flavors. I'm pretty sure the natural comes from the orange, and the 'artificial' refers to the regular Amp flavor. Taurine comes in at number six, although you only get 296mg per can. As I said, Amp adds weird ingredients to their drinks. For example, I see sodium hexametaphosphate, which is found in common cosmetics. I also see brominated vegetable oil, pretty gross. If you recall, that is all found in the Rip It products; just an unusual ingredient. Per can, you get 220 calories, which is about average for a 16 ounce energy drink. You also get 58g of sugar, just above average for an energy drink. This was a good drink, it kinda got old towards the middle, and frankly not as good as the regular Amp.

Taste: 7.9 - It was good, I can't bring myself to give an Amp a low rating, though
Kick: 9 - I love how Amps give a great kick
Overall: 8.5 - I'd say it's the best out of the newest Amp flavors

Reviewed by: Chan

Amp Overdrive

After a long day, it's always good to unwind with a cold Amp. This time, I am reviewing the Amp Overdrive. If you recall, former member, Chris has reviewed this. We feel, for quality means, we should re-review this drink. Anyway, Amp has released a new can design, a blood red color with knife-like black lines going up and down the can. However, Amp has released this can with a more glossy touch to it. Like all Amps, you see the disfigured 'A' and the word 'Amp' in lowercase letters. To me, it seems "overdrive" is a powerful word to put in a drink, so Amp better have made this a quality drink.

As I open the can, I immediately, smell an intense aroma of cherry. You can tell the scent is artificial, but it has so much taste. As it comes rushing out of the can, I see a smooth red color, similar to Gatorade Fruit Punch. So far so good. As soon as I taste it, I get a pleasant cherry flavor, with a hint of lemon. The aftertaste is sour, pinching the sides of your mouth, but you don't get any cherry whatsoever. Imagine, having a mix of cherry and lemom juice, with a bit of carbonation. However, the flavor does disappear after a few seconds in your mouth, almost like what a sugar free drink will do. Surprisingly, this drink doesn't contain much carbonation, so it easy to chug or take big sips. You should not though because this drink has a unique cherry flavor, which you won't find in many other energy drinks. The gumminess is a large factor for most energy drinks, like Amp. If you've ever tried an Amp, you know that they are real gummy, and it builds p in the way back of your mouth. This drink, is no exception. After a little while, I notice the flavor gets weaker as it hits your mouth. Overall, this wasn't the best energy drink out there, but it's alright, not too bad, but not too good.

Okay, last paragraph...ingredients. First I see carbonated water, like usual. Then, I see, *sigh* HFCS. Well, you know how Amps are, they contain a lot of gumminess. Next, you see, hmm, natural flavor. This drink doesn't taste natural at all, I guess Amp is bad at making a natural taste. Next, I see sodium hexametaphosphate, which is found in cosmetics such as lipstick, makeup, and eyeliner. You may recall seeing this ingredient in NOS, so you can conclude that this is a rare ingredient. However, it's not a good ingredient either. Per can, you get 220 calories, which is just about average for an energy drink. You also get about 58g of sugar, pretty predictable for an Amp. Like usual, 2000mg is the amount of taurine you get in the Overdrive. This drink was just pretty lame for Amp to make a drink like this. I mean compared to the regular, this drink was almost nothing. I can obviously say that you don't need to purchase this one, as long as you have the original Amp out there, you're alright.

Taste: 7 - It was just alright to me
Kick: 9 - Amps always do pack a punch
Overall: 8 - It's only a good drink, served chilled, after a long day, other than that, it just wasn't as good as the regular Amp

Reviewed by: Chan

AMP Energy

Alright! My second review for the day and part two of my Double-Header. I am glad we finally get the Amp energy drink reviewed here on Canned Reviews. This drink is easily known because of its makers: Mountain Dew. I like Amp's new cover idea, it has shades of mixed green with a glossy touch to it. In front of it, you see the Amp logo, a disfigured 'A', as well as its name in all lowercase letters. On the back of the can, you see Dale Earndhardt Jr.'s picture as well as his car and signature. Amp is his new sponsor in NASCAR racing now. I have tried Amp many times, but this is the official review. So, I'm fueled up and ready to go and review.

As soon as I pop the lid open, I smell a tangy, lime-like aroma. This scent makes me want to drink it over and over again. The drink comes out the can a clear, bright green color with a lot of fizzing. This drink is refreshing as it enters your mouth and goes down your throat. However, there is a lot of gumminess that builds up in the back of your mouth after a few minutes. Although, it has a green tint to it, this drink tastes like a fresh squeezed orange poured into the can with a little bit of sweetener and some carbonation. The main reason why I purchase this drink is because of its refreshing lime and orange flavor as well as its major kick and all natural tasting ingredients. This is one drink, folks, that you do not chug or you will pay the price. As of right now, I am slowing down the process of drinking this because of its major gumminess. As we all should know by now, this drink does contain HFCS. Overall, if you are looking for a sweet way to boost you day, head over to this drink and enjoy; it is worth every penny.

Ingredients talk: Let's see...as I go down the list I see...oh no, HFCS. Anyone who drank this can predict that this drink contains HFCS, a sweetener made from corn. Next I see orange juice from concentrate; yeah it has a pretty stable amount of OJ in it. Alright, cool, I see guarana seed extract as well as natural flavor. Surprisingly, taurine comes in at number 13, lower than most energy drinks. Per can, you only get 20mg of taurine, but 142mg of caffeine, that's a lot. However, I notice that this drink contains 220 calories per can, that's a little much for an energy drink, if you ask me. Lastly, I would like to say that once again, I am very pleased with this drink and would highly consider purchasing it, If you had to choose between say Amp, Monster, and Rockstar, you would be better off with an Amp in your hand and eventually in your mouth.

Taste: 8.5 - Ahhh, nearly perfect
Kick: 9 - Very pleasing, not jitteriness and much focus
Overall: 8.7 - Not much else to say but I love this drink.

Reviewed by: Chan