Alright Pepsi, you got me here. Is the idea of a nitrogen-infused cola actually significantly different than a standard CO2 cola? Certainly they’re right about the fact that nitrogen bubbles are smaller, but how much of a difference does that actually make? Does it impact taste at all? Other than the nitrogen, this seems to be standard Pepsi from what I can tell. The ingredients look similar and it still uses HFCS instead of real sugar.
One intriguing thing is that the guidelines for this are as follows: Chill Can, Pour Hard, Admire & Enjoy. The “Pour Hard” part is going to be really interesting. I typically drink straight out of the bottle/can, so, uh… This’ll be a treat. I won’t rate Aromatics until after I’ve poured it, I think that’s fair.
Place of Acquirement: Circle K, Columbus, OH
Drinking Vessel/Portion: 13.65fl oz can
AROMATICS: 7.5/10
It smells like… Pepsi! 😮
FIRST SIP: 7/10
Woah. OK, uh… So the pour itself, it kind of poured like I think (as a non-drinker) a beer pours? There was a lot of foam, but not at all like the typical foam. I’m not quite sure how I feel about it yet. My and my girlfriend’s immediate thoughts were “it’s like flat pepsi but on purpose?”. But in a good way?
TASTE: 8/10
They are not lying at all about it being smooth. It is definitely SIGNIFICANTLY smoother than standard soda. Which doesn’t make it better or worse in my mind, just different.
I definitely like it more as I go along. The taste feels pretty similar to standard Pepsi, though I’d have to have them side-by-side to be sure that they’re really the same.
AFTERTASTE: 8.5/10
Pepsi’s aftertaste has always been good, this one is no exception. Sweetness and flavor linger nicely.
MOUTHFEEL: 9/10
This one is so, so hard. Generally, I rate smoother sodas as having a better mouthfeel. But despite the foam, it doesn’t quite get the sort of creaminess I truly love. Either way, the mouthfeel is great.
DEPTH OF FLAVOR: 7.5/10
I mean, it’s Pepsi. It feels like the kola flavor is perhaps a tad stronger/more present than standard Pepsi which does help
SWEETNESS: 9.5/10
Very sweet. Like, VERY sweet. Perhaps a tad sweeter than standard Pepsi but again, I don’t have one in front of me to compare it to.
FLAVOR(S) TASTED: Kola, and uh… kola.
LAST SIP: 8/10
Keeps flavor, keeps carbonation. Can’t be mad about that.
OVERALL RATING: 8/10
Overall, this was a very neat experience. My initial sip was one of confusion more than anything else. Once you’re used it it, it’s pleasant. It is definitely smoother than a standard Pepsi, there is no doubt about that. The foam is really a significant part of it, it adds to the experience nicely.
Would I drink this over a standard Pepsi? Most days, probably. Do I hope this takes over and CO2 goes the way of the passenger pigeon? No, absolutely not. Smoothness is neat, but the tingly sharpness of standard carbonated soda is also neat. This will come down to personal preference at the end of the day. However, as I said above, it’s a neat experience and definitely worth picking one up to try it.
