Thursday, July 12, 2012

I'm Baaaack! (Plus Surprise Review)


  Okay, I know what your thinking and, yes, I AM awesome. But to answer the more pressing and obvious question, no, it's not that I can't even manage one review a month (that'd be pretty sad), I just had a lot of crap going on last month, I found out I have to have two surgeries (first one is in a few days actually), nothing big but they're still surgeries nonetheless. In addition to this I'm still looking for a REAL job (I earn a grand total of about 10¢ a month from the blog if I'm lucky), and I've been trying to get in shape (I've got two years before I'm old enough to do American Ninja Warrior), so yeah, I've been busy.

  A few more straight-up blog related updates: First off, I found a new place to get some different jerky types, so the supply issue has been abated for now; Secondly, things will have settled down enough in a few months that I might even go back to posting reviews every other week (we'll have to wait and see though); Thirdly, I've got a bunch of new reviews I can write, such as BabyRuths and Jack Link's Maple Ham Nuggets; and Lastly, I recently received an order from ChemicalEvolution.com  (I ordered two things, Penguin Caffeinated Mints [Review Below] and Energy Catalyst energy shots [even though I liked it, it falls outside my jurisdiction so I will not be reviewing it, head over to ADDICTED 2 ENERGY! for a review of that fine product], and the wonderful people that they are put in a small (1.25 OZ. "Apocalypse Size") sample baggie of Harcos Laboratories "Zombie Jerky" for the blog (which, if anyone from ChemEvo is reading, thanks for the gift) that will be next months review. Anyway, onto the review:

  As stated before, I recently ordered some energy products from ChemicalEvolution.com, one of which was Penguin Caffeinated Chocolate Mints, which are, obviously, energy boosting mints (or so they claim). "How are they though?", I hear you ask. Read on...

  Taste: Altoids has/had a line of mints that were chocolate covered, which basically made it candy with a breath mint built in, and while it was good the flavors didn't blend because it was in two layers, this mint, on the other hand, actually has chocolate in it which blends the flavors of the mint, chocolate & caffeine. "Well, Mr. Mint, that's great, but it still doesn't tell me how it tastes necessarily." Good point, let's put it like this: This is how those Altoids should of tasted, not only are the flavors blended, but they're blended perfectly, slightly sweet with the chocolate and caffeine playing with each other to bring out a really nice chocolate taste that itself is not too sweet. Now I must point out that they won't freshen your breath, the mint aspect is more about the flavor than anything but they taste great and have the added benefit of giving roughly 35 grams of caffeine in three mints. 8 out of 10.


  Edibility: No real issue, you can suck these for a slow pick-up, or chew them for a quick boost, won't mess with your teeth at all. 10 out of 10.

  Packaging: You wouldn't know this normally but penguins are one of my favorite animals, so I am slightly biased toward it, however, despite the bias the tin is well done, everything is clearly written, has cool graphic work, the tin itself is nice and sturdy and the paper inside the tin has a pretty cool surprise too. +1 Point.

  Conclusion: Tastes great, eats nicely, cool tin and has a good energy boost to boot. 19 out of 21 points.