By OWEN MORRIS
For the past week, I've been drinking this liquor, AGWA de Bolivia, that's making its way to bars in the area. AGWA's main selling point is that it's made from "only the finest coca leaves" grown and selected in Bolivia (wink). Unlike other liquors, this one claims to give you tons of energy, even make you jittery (wink, wink). Sometimes it's even sold with a mirror and a white powder -- lime salt -- that you cut on the mirror and then snort suck through a straw. (Wink, wink, nod, nod.)
Those winks and nods aren't mine, but rather those of Babco, the beverage/marketing company that sells it. Though they never actually say the word "cocaine" they do everything to imply it short of showing a picture of Pablo Escobar holding a bottle. While AGWA is one of two drinks licensed to use coca leaves (no points for guessing the other licensed company) the average $100 bill has more blow than AGWA. The liquor contains no cocaine but it does have a "special blend of herbs" that the company says will keep drinkers alert far later than normal.
If ever there was a reason to party late in the name of research this was it. I called up a few friends, told them I'd just received a gift from Bolivia and asked if they'd be interested in sampling it. Results after the jump.
The Price: In liquor stores, expect to pay around $25 to $30.
The Color: "Green like Hulk!" It's not just green but glow-in-the-dark oozy green. If you're all about colors that appear in nature then this ain't the drink for you. I'm pretty sure the last place this color appeared was in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.
The Flavor: Straight up, it's an acquired taste to say the least. A Pitch co-worker described it as "tastes like Scope and rubbing alcohol." Nobody disagreed. The fact that it was at room temperature didn't help. Later, when it had chilled and I served it on rocks, the flavor had greatly improved. "Still tastes slightly like Scope but sweeter and I can't taste the alcohol nearly as much now," said the same co-worker. When I asked her if she'd drink it straight, she shook her head. "If I were to drink this stuff, I'd mix it."
Mixing AGWA recommends several different mixed drinks on its Web site, including the "Eight Ball" and the "Bolivian Kiss Ritual." The only one I tried was AGWA Blaster, which is just an AGWA on the rocks with an energy drink. I thought it tasted better than Jägermeister and Red Bull but my friend said he thought the AGWA flavor got lost in the Red Bull. The difference here is that he really likes the taste of Jägermeister.
So Does It Work The Way It Hints At? No. The night I shared it with co-workers I had three glasses of it on the rocks. I was tipsy but not wired or jittery. I tend to get very tired around midnight and was hoping the AGWA would prevent that but it didn't. I ended up having to go get a large cup of coffee to keep me awake. Since I drink so much coffee I thought that might be interfering with the effects, but none of my co-workers reported any extra energy, either. As for my Jägermeister-loving friend, he thought that the AGWA Blaster gave him a bigger boost of energy but he wasn't entirely sure.
The Verdict: If you run with the Jägermeister and Red Bull crowd, give it a try. The same goes for people who really like trying new liquor flavors or people who love a good marketing campaign.
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I'm a tree climber and any ex. energy I can get is welcome. Well as long as its on the up n and up. And I'm telling this shit is fire.
I would like to try it, I favor herbal liquors but I don't like the 1970's blow marketing approach. Who is babco talking too? Old farts in polyester doing the comb over?
Not my scene. I looked for their website and it looks very poor. Do they mix this stuff in in the tub? What other products does babco have?
I would like to try it, I favor herbal liquors but I don't like the 1970's blow marketing approach. Who is babco targeting old farts in polyester doing the comb over?
Not my scene. I looked for their website and it looks very poor. Do they mix this stuff in in the tub? What other products does babco have?
I am associated with Cocaine Energy Drink and like Billy said, it works!
However, I tried Agwa after a friend in the energy drink business turned me on to it (wink, wink) about one year ago. I purchased two bottles online and I was more than impressed.
I thought the energy was awesome and the taste was awesome.
When I purchased it, they were not using controversial marketing. It was very cool marketing. Not over the top. However, the mirror and the poweder will get them in trouble. I suspect they will hear from the ATF. I know the guys over a "Legal Weed Ale
are having some trouble with the ATF. I hope they survive it, because I love their product.
Jamey Kirby
Redux Beverages
I had it before when I was in Vegas, nothing happened for a while after a few shooters, and then later I noticed myself being braver than usual with the ladies. I must try it again for the fun of it.
I'm connected with AGWA and I know my opinion would be interrupted as been biased, but I don't know whether its sociological or real, but I consistently have a good night out after slamming back 3 or 4 shots of AGWA. The addictive alkaloid of the cocaine is removed but the coca leaf distillate remains and add ginseng and Brazilian Guarana, Argentina black mountain tea and other herbs you getting some effect.
At this point, I'm thinking maybe just straight cocaine would be better than all these knock-offs.
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