Red Devil

When I check out Big Lots!, I've got to see what's new. This time, I saw Red Devil and had to pick up a can to review. At first sight, this doesn't seem very significant, but taking a closer look, I see this drink claiming to be the best tasting energy drink in the world. I find that a stretch, and I won't truly believe in it until I get a good taste of this. What I find interesting about this drink is that it's imported from Holland, which might mean authenticity. Holland, I believe, is in Northern Europe, North of Austria, which I've heard is sort of where energy drinks really took off. What else makes this drink very special is that I'm even holding it in my hands. Prior to 2007, Red Devil has not been available in the United States, however it has been extremely popular in many European countries and Russia. I'm not sure what I should expect from a drink imported from Holland, but I am hoping for quality.

Popping this can open, I'm not excited to smell a lame apple cider with a tiny burnt taste like HFCS in the Vitamin Water Power-C. Tasting this, then, it tastes the same with a little less burnt taste and more apple/green apple, much like apple cider. This being the second time around I've had it, the nasty burnt taste from the last one is lessened significantly and with a small tinge of cherry that fades and reappears. This time, it is actually pretty tasty, however some gumminess is also making its way through. I decided to pour this out into a glass of ice and I was pleasantly surprised with a wonderful orange/burnt sienna color like pumpkin pie and reminding me of October. The most prominent color is that orange, and there are highlights of yellow shining through; the color really is wonderful. Getting deeper into the taste, it's mostly glorious natural apple, but I can taste some pretty natural black cherry as well with that natural bitterness. This, however, is when it's hot. When cold, that horrid burnt HFCS flavor is back, the sweetness is absent and the already subtle flavor is nearly non-existant. However, when hot, this drink is very gummy and eats away at your teeth's enamel. Overall, this drink actually has a decent taste, but I don't appreciate the small nasty burnt taste at all.

On kick, Red Devil performs decently, mostly offering a bit of alertness and some mild energy. However, this is nothing compared to the incredible kick of a stronger drink, like Monster. I can't list all the ingredients for this review, since I seem to have unfortunately lost the can, however, I can assure you the level of sugar per 8oz was above 30. Also, this drink has Taurine, Caffeine, Vitamins B12, B6, B6, B5, B2 and Vitamin C for energy ingredients. I can't say how much of each, however, since Red Devil's website does not specify. I can only say this kick was mediocre and although I don't really enjoy these, I will have to look for another. 

Taste: 6.8 - A bit bland, yet interesting apple/cherry with a slight burnt HFCS taste
Kick: 6 - An average kick, nothing special
Overall: 6.5 - Due for a re-review, once again

Reviewed by: Jeff

Hansen's Diet Red

This one I got earlier. I had supposed Trader Joe's would have some unique energy drinks, but I was wrong. All they had was the regular and Lo-Carb Monster, their own brand, which looked weak, and this. I'm not quite sure what to expect, but I'm hoping for something good. I read on the description at Trader Joe's that this drink is fast-acting and potent, but I'm not ready to believe it until I experience it. As for the flavor, I'm not sure what to expect. I'm guessing it'll be the common bubble-gum flavor found in energy drinks, with either a red or amber color. The can makes it look powerful, and I'm hoping that's true.

At the first whiff, my notion that this would be a pretty generic drink was confirmed. But, wait. For a second, I thought it smelled like cinnamon. It's like a Monster that's been exposed to air, but not in a bad way. I'm already starting to like it just by the smell. The color's quite unique, being just a bit darker than a Monster, that is, a gold-amber. Ahh, it even tastes somewhat like a Monster. The differences are minute, being a slightly artificial aftertaste and a thinner or more one-dimensional taste. Still, it proves to be quite enjoyable. Now that I'm halfway into it, the cinnamon has faded away and the flavor is mostly that bubble-gum I was referring to. The carbonation doesn't get in the way of that, and there's not a lot of gumminess to do the same. I find it a bit comical that on the side of the can, the makers make the claim that the flavor is in fact berry, but I just don't taste it. Overall on the taste, this one is not bad. It's not one that will make you regret taking that last sip. It's one that makes you, rather, want to take another, and further explore the flavor. I might call this one a Monster clone.

On the front of the can, they go right out and tell you there is Taurine, Ginseng, L-Carnitine, and B-Vitamins in the mix. Rightly so, there's there seem to be the same energy ingredients in the Energy Blend as the Monsters: L-Carnitine, Glucose, Caffeine, Guarana, Inositol, Glucuronolactone, and Maltodextrin. And there's the same amount per serving in this as a Monster, 2500mg. But I momentarily forgot that this is a diet energy drink. And after reading the ingredients, I learn that there is Glucose within, but also Splenda and Acesulfame. I remember finding Acesulfame in diet green tea. It's not great stuff and did give this drink its artificial sweet aftertaste. The ingredients in this are mostly standard except for Grape Skin Extract, which, it claims, is for color. Whatever. As for the boost I got after this, it was great... until I started to come down. The crash is noticable. I came down without noticing it and now I feel like I do after I run a mile. I would buy this for the taste, but then, the thought of the crash may make me reconsider.

Taste: 7.5 - Pleasant, slightly cinnamony, with that energy drink taste
Kick: 6 - Good, but I crashed
Overall: 6.5 - Not bad

Reviewed by: Jeff