Like Hip Hop stars and goofy named energy drinks, I don’t think there is a nutritional supplement company out there that does not make some form of energy shot. They are just too quick and easy to make – and there is always the chance one of them will be a hit. That means that even if you have something great, the chances that a company which does not specialize in the market might flood the scene with shots that are only half thought out. This is totally one of those shots, tasting unique and giving great energy, but hampered by their own companies lack of direction.
I am trying 8-Ball Kenetic energy – put out by 8-Ball Nutrition. This company is usually in the musclebound powder business, pushing out drinks named after Greek gods, like “Herculin MRF-4″, a muscle generator, and mixes that help do things involving metabolic and Catabolic processes. Most of the time, these products turn out to be a dud – or if nothing else a copy of 5 Hour energy. Even a representative for the company said this product was almost exactly the same as ” a higher end energy shot, like 5 hour energy”. I got a bigger boost from this than I would usually get from a 5 Hour, because of the higher caffeine levels, but there was one more HUGE difference between this and other energy shots.
Taste:9 or 2
Kumquats?? you gotta be kidding me! Never before have I tasted kumquat so distinctly. I checked the label, and this was listed at lemon-lime. BS. Down to the sweet peel and super puckering juice, it is the same as popping the little orange citrus ball in your mouth and biting down.
For those who have never had the experience of this fruit, a Kumquat is oval in shape, 3/4″ to 1″ in diameter and between 1″ to 2″ long. It looks like an orange, just really really small. The taste however is something very unique. The peel is good ( you actually eat the rind of the kumquat like a grape) and the fruit is sour as all hell.
Will you like it? I guess that depends on if you like kumquats. This drink has the same bitterness, the almost alcoholic bite, the sharpness of overly sweet and overly tart. Either way, this one definitely tastes different than the rest. As for me, I can’t decide….
Buzz/Nutrition:7
According to a rep from the company, there is almost no difference between this and a 5 hour energy, except for the addition of the cysteine – which is a non essential amino acid. I also found this gave more energy and lasted a little longer than 5 hour, with about 3 full hours of energy coming from the 130mg of caffeine in it. There is all the usually suspects, from the overdose of vitamin b12, too much vitamin B6, lots of Vitamin c and niacin. This also does not have the Lipase and other metabolism boosting ingredients that can be found in many energy shots. Overall, I liked what it did for me, although certainly not the most potent thing I have had.
Packaging:6
Not great – although not as bad as it could be. We have the same boring wrap that so many of these shots come in, with the little plastic wrap holding the label on. Just like 90% of the market, the label comes off with the lid, and leaves you with a bottle indistinguishable than the great mass of shots. The label itself lists all the ingredients easily, and the layout is OK. Nothing unusual or unique here, including with not listing the caffeine content or even pretending you do with a “energy blend”. It seems from the packaging they have not gone wholeheartedly into this drink, and instead throwing the least amount of energy at it to get it on the shelves.
While not a bad design, it would be better if they spent a little more time creating something original and unique for a shot that tastes like none other.
Website:2 http://www.8-ballnutrition.com/
This is the URL they put on their little shot, so I expected the shot to be there somewhere. When I first got to the site, I was not shown the shot anywhere. Even the “products” link took me to a page all about Creatine Edge and Black Beta. But if you look hard, down in the Best Sellers section you can find this little type which takes you to their page about the shot.
Not . Worth. It. Is is just a shopping cart ordering page, with a small paragraph of info and a picture of the nutrition label.
Just another example of this company not backing their shot. It’s too bad – as the flavor shure makes this stand out from the masses. In the right hands this could be a real winner – as opposed to a leftover by a company who does not really want to bother with it.