This is it.  The votes have been tabulated - and all the reviewers have been heard.  Three was been over 250 caffeinated energy products sampled this year - from herbal energy patches to warm cans of energy soda found in seedy Mexican cafes.  From this extensive list, there have been a few products that have separated themselves from the pack - and stand as more than worthy additions to any fan.  These drinks, shots and foods stand apart from the hundreds of Red Bull Clones, Monster wannabees and go beyond normal expectations, leaving our tongues on fire and out eyelids glued to the back of our heads.

During December 29th, There will be separate reviews for different categories;Best Energy Drinks, Best Shots, Best energy Products - which will list the best from coffees, mixes and alcoholic caffeinated drinks.  Please feel free to voice your opinions, as well as all requests for consideration for the 2009 Energy in Review.

Best Energy Supplement - Loud Truck Red Blast Gummies
I have been fortunate enough to get to try all sorts of interesting and unique products dealing with caffeine this year. From caffeinated chips to pep pills filled with exotic herbs and supplements. I have had the change to try coffee drinks straight from japan and wonderful and rare alcoholic energy treats in amazing bottles and flavors. Of all these treats, the one that I think is the most special to me is Loud Truck Red Blast Gummies. For energy consumers on the go - this idea is sheer genius, carried out to perfection. The package is right, the ingredients are fantastic and the taste is awesome. 2 packs of easily snacked on bears will give you a grrod 128mg of caffeine - around a double shot of espresso - but without the messy cup and spillage inside your backpack. And at less than a candy bar's worth of caffeine per gummy - if your kids sneak one it is less caffeinated than a chocolate bar. While so many other caffeinated products seem to be only slightly based in funstion, this one looks like a perfect match.

Best Tasting Energy Product - Engobi Snack Chips
On first glance, it seems the idea between snacking and caffeine should not go together - until you try a bite. Engobi is short for Energy Go Bites - and if you are lucky enough to get hold of one of these packages, either flavor will set your mouth alight. The Lemon Lift is like a sweet crunchy lemon merengue, and has a familiar tang I expected to taste from a caffeinated food. It was definitely crunchy, but not at all oily or greasy - like a potato chip. It is very easy to eat this bag up in a very short time. In about 5 minutes time I was a little full and a whole lot buzzed - giving me the energy to get moving during my afternoon slump. The Cinnamon flavor is far better though. As good as the lemon was, the cinnamon was twice as good, tasting like Taco Bell cinnamon sticks, or a light and airy version of churros. The cinnamon went twice as quickly as the lemon, and made a fantastic dessert to couteract the sleepiness of a big lunch. Don't make the mistake of just buying one though - you will be kicking yourself days later.

Best Energy Buzz - Ballistic Energy Pills
This stuff is serious business - even if you are not affected by caffeine. One of the other supplements in here is bound to get you as wired as a wet sparrow on a stripped electric cable. The instructions say to take 1 to 2 pills and stand back. I took a couple, and waited the recommended 20 minutes, and my eyelids slowly peeled back from my skull, and my hair felt a little like it was standing on end. Needless to say it was a very nice uplifting bouncy and flying four hours. This beats the usual No-Doz clones by providing about 100mg of caffeine from Gaurana, insead of a lab. this also has Rhodiola ( an adaptogenic herb which helps boost energy and fight fatigue), Ginseng, Theobromine ( a mild stimulant like caffeine - found in chocolate), Taurine, Carnitine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Bioperin® (Black Pepper), a bunch of B complex Vitamins and Calcium. Dont expect an immediate rush - but you will know when it kicks in when you see footprints on your ceiling.

Best New Energy Product Idea - Morning Spark Caffeinated Oatmeal.
Imagine instead of needing that morning cup of Joe, you could get your caffeine fix while just eating a nice hearty healthy breakfast. That is what the fine folks at Sturm Foods is bringing to your table - at 80mg of caffeine per pack ( or 50, if you go by the package details and not their marketing brochures). The great thing is the caffeine did not affect the flavor at all, and the blueberry was so good - I poured a little coffee and milk into the blueberry, giving it an amazing brownish hue and tasting like a blueberry bran muffin. Even by itself, this package is as good as you could possibly get with a blueberry microwave oatmeal. The room fills up with that great fruity smell and works wonders for your soul as well as your energy levels. My only problem is they are not sold everywhere in the country yet - and at 3 bucks or so for a box of 8, these little packs should leave the competitors Quakering in their boots!

Best Coffee Drink - TIE - Frappio Light Latteand Adina Hazelnut Hookup
This was a very hard category to choose from, as there have been many many worthy coffee drinks to come out this year. While some have had an amazing package, and others have had a ton of fantastic healthy ingredients, Frappio had the best all around package of great taste, great ingredients and fun package. Their coffee is made from fresh brewed Arabica coffee dark roasted from Columbian and sumatran beans, and sweetened with Erythritol. It is also packed with ashwaganda, an adaptogen used from everything from fighting fatigue to treating tumors and decreasing stress and anxiety.Both versions of Frappio pack in the caffeine at 288 mg - a pretty serious dose for such a tasty beverage. The package is not amazing, but stand-out from the masses - and looks decently enough to get the job done. With no mistakes, and only accolades, this coffee could break you out of your 4 dollar a day Starbucks habit.

Adina Hazelnut Hookup is one of those drinks with so many things going right for it, you tend to look over any negatives, like the stregnth of the drink or the fact that they do not list caffeine contents in their ingredient list. With a drink that gets antioxidents from using the whole coffee bean, using only organic, fair trade coffee and having an artistic gorgeous can really helps propel this drink to the top of the pack. That is even without taking into account the amazing taste of this coffee - as good if not better than any concoction your local barista can dream up for you. During your next trip to the local health food store - dont hesitate to grab a case or two.

Best alcoholic energy - Everglo Liquour
Arriving in a special case, I knew this would not be any ordinary caffeinated alcohol. glowing in the darkness came this blend of Vodka and Tequila, Caffeine and Ginseng - all wrapped up in an absolutely delicious day-glo green conconction. With a taste unlike any other I have had, and enough energy and mixing power to fuel a 3 night vampire rave, This drink is in a special class, not sacrificing taste or energy on a cool gimmick. If you are looking for something for that untimate late night fun-fest - this is the drink to find. It can be used for everything from amazing martinis to on the rocks. . Fronted with a cool looking tribal design, this bottle actually glows in the dark. Everything from the font choices to the labels on the back were very thoughtfully planned out. And while the caffeine does not give you a boots, it seemed to balance any sleepiness you might have from the alcohol. This drink wont necessarily make you wired, but it will keep you from nodding off at that 3Am rave or that midnight party when sleep should be the farthest thing from your mind.

Runner Up - Vicious Vodka

Best Caffeinated Drink Mix - Helix drink Mix
Helix energy powder is among the best energy drink mixes I have ever tried. With time, this could change the way you get your energy fix. Sure, some companies have come out with energy drink mixes before, but this is the first I have seen which does not make any big health benefit claims, does not cost ten bucks a pack and comes in a very easy to transport pack. It has all the right ingredients to be a real winner - 160mg of caffeine, B vitamins and Taurine will get you moving, while still only having 10 calories per pack. While this drink mix is definitely harsh when tasted by itself, it is a strong and flavorful orange, not at all weak even in a full 16oz bottle. Also, the packs can even get wet while the mix inside stays dry. If you are looking for a great way to take it with you, you can not go wrong with this tasty little pack of power powder.