“Energy drink” used to mean “coffee.” Now it’s a euphemism for “high-caffeine soft drink brimming with various types of sugars, weird ingredients like taurine and guarana, and occasionally, a few useful vitamins.” Every so often, Dan (the Connoisseur) and Corey (the Junkie) will hold an informal, simultaneous taste-test in their search for the perfect power beverage — it’s their Energy Quest. It’s not scientific, but it is honest. And it might be extreeeeeeeeeeme.

The Jimi Hendrix Liquid Experience: Voodoo Vibe flavor
16-ounce can
www.JimiHendrixLiquidExperience.com

Dan “The Connoisseur” Amrich

Describe the flavor: Absolutely delicious. I taste grape with a hint of cherry or maybe pomegranate — it’s a little tart, but not overwhelmingly so. I just looked at the label and found out it’s none of the above — it’s elderberry! Who makes energy drinks with elderberry? I dig it.

“The Jitters”: Actually, I felt pretty…mellow. Invigorated, but not tweaky.

Focus & alertness: Slightly higher. I was a little tired going into it but I got a nice sustained groove for the next few hours.

Comments from the peanut gallery: “Jimi Hendrix has his own energy drink?” (“Well, his family does.”) And someone who sipped it felt it tasted syrupy, but they were not what we’d call a regular energy drinker.

Stank breath: Nothing severe.

Packaging sex appeal: Purple shades — the silver can gets a two-tone purple fade from above and below, with the iconic image of Jimi with his white Strat in the middle, surrounded by ghostly flames. Pretty cool.

How hard did you crash?: No crash landing here.

Other comments: Really satisfying; the kick was not extreme, and that unusual elderberry flavor is bold as love. I’ll grab this whenever I see it.

The Verdict: 9.0 (out of 10)

Corey “The Junkie” Cohen

Describe the flavor: Hey, who carbonated my Cran-Raspberry? And how’s it taste so good with all that taurine? Whether it’s the Elderberry Extract or the “natural and artificial flavor,” this stuff’s liquid ambrosia. Voodoo Vibe’s put a spell on me. A yummy spell.

“The Jitters”: Not a twinge. And that’s good, ’cause you shouldn’t get the shakes from a drink whose motto is “Peace. Love. Purpose.”

Focus & alertness: “There must be some kind of way out of here”…but I hope not. The Experience pushes my favorite kind of buzz — the gentle, massaging variety, where you slowly feel more awake and alive, and the feeling lasts for a good while once it settles in. Rock on, caffeine!

Comments from the peanut gallery: Juliann dug the can, and said it made her think “Purple Haze.” She even liked the drink’s smell, which again, you wouldn’t expect with 1,920mg of taurine.

Stank breath: A lil’ tart, but fine. Not stinky.

Packaging sex appeal: I don’t listen to much Hendrix — sure, I respect the hell out of his music — but I feel like a front-row fan with this can. Is it cheesy to call it a work of art? The violet flames, that soulful portrait of Jimi…how can you not be a little intrigued by the contents?

How hard did you crash?: The invigorating effect just gradually wore off, minus a crash. No problems here whatsoever.

Other comments: This drink debuted last year, but with the recent attention to Jimi (his songs announced for Guitar Hero World Tour; an alleged sex-tape discovery; his headlining our sister mag), now was the perfect time for the Experience. And this isn’t some crappy cash-in with a legendary license — it’s a terrific drink, with a great taste and just the right amount of power. Better yet, its makers may produce other flavors, says their website. If they do, we’ll definitely seek ’em out.

The Verdict: 8.5 (out of 10)