It has been so long since I have reviewed a new Starbucks product. The last one was the latest Refresher, back in early 2014, and the one before that was actually an iced coffee was the Vanilla one in mid 2013. Almost 2 years since I had a new iced coffee from Starbucks.
OK, technically, the Hazelnut Doubleshot Energy drink/iced coffee is not new, but it is new to me. Over the years I have tried and reviewed all of the Doubleshot Energy drinks, except the Hazelnut because I had never been able to find it until my trip to Buffalo a few weeks ago. If memory serves me right, I bought the can from a Target for $2.49.
Taste
In the aroma, there are notes of coffee, sweet cream, hazelnut and vanilla ice cream. For a few brief moments it felt like I had stuck my nose in a jar of Nutella. The taste is sweet cream up front, followed by vanilla followed by hazelnuts. The coffee flavors are non-existent until the finish and even then they are very subtle and easy to miss. Right before the finish you also get a very nice, very intense hazelnut twist that last for mere moments, but it just tastes so good sip after sip, after sip.
The aftertaste is a blend of sweet milk and hazelnuts at the start, but with the milk raunchiness come in the subtle coffee flavors. The hazelnuts linger for a while and are present alongside the milk and the coffee hints. Give the aftertaste a minute or so and your mouth will start feeling dry, sticky and very sweet. I had to keep drinking so that my mouth wouldn't dry out. When I was finished with the iced coffee, I had to take a few sips of water to cleanse the sweetness and rehydrate myself.
This Doubleshot Hazelnut is very light and easy to consume quickly.
Energy
The caffeine content is not provided on the can, however, the Internet says that there are 145 mg of caffeine. My previous reviews of older Starbucks Doubleshot beverages confirm this amount. Some even say that it is as high as 146 mg....how about that?
The effects are noticeable within as quickly as 10 minutes. I was starting to gradually, yet quickly feel energized, my lower body felt a bit jittery, and my legs were starting to shake a little. Within another 15 minutes I was wired and ready to get the day started. By that time the jitters had subsided, but were still present. It took another 15 minutes for them to go away completely.
Once out of the house, I got almost 3 hours of decent energy at work and kick ended without a crash. But as I always say, had I had this iced coffee near the end of my day, I probably would have crashed since my body would have no more stored energy to offer.
Scores:
Cost - $2.49 from Target
Taste - 8/10
Energy - 7.4/10
Overall - 15.4/20...smooth, great hazelnut taste, a little too sweet for me, but the kick is nice
And now they've disontinued it. I"m very upset.
ReplyDeleteIt was my favorite! So sad its gone.
DeleteI hate that they have discontinued this flavor. It is the best, and now I really have no interest in drinking this product. So sad
ReplyDeletePlease bring it back. How many chocolates do u need. Come out of the box.
I hate you have discontinued the best flavor. So sad. How many chocolates do we really need. Let's come out of the box already. Now I have no Interest in Starbucks products. Please bring it back
ReplyDeleteI hate that you have discontinued the hazlenut flavor. It's the best flavor you have. How many chocolates do we need. Can we come out of the box already. I now have no interest in Starbucks products.I Can we bring this back please.
ReplyDeleteIs it still discontinued because I just bought a can at a gas station earlier for 2.50$.
ReplyDeleteIt might be old. I haven't seen this locally in a while. And I have purchased old and expired drinks in the past. Stores don't regularly check the dates.
DeleteHow the fuck are you gonna discontinue this fuck you Starbucks cheese dick bastards
ReplyDelete