Rocket Fizz root beer (with nutmeg)

Background information: (from the website) "Ryan Morgan and Rich Shane own The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops, LLC. It was founded in 2007 by Ryan and Robert (Rob) Powells. Rich joined in 2012 as the company’s CEO.

The original store opened in 2009. The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop is the largest and fastest growing soda pop and candy shop franchise brand in America.

All of the Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop locations throughout the U.S.A. and Canada are franchised and are independently owned and operated. Rich, Ryan, and Bob Campbell (our Vice President of Franchising) carefully select each Rocket Fizz franchise store operator."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Intellectual property of and bottled by the Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops LLC, P.O. Box 5400, Incline Village, NV 89450. 170 calories, 42g sugar. Brown glass bottle with pry off top. https://www.rocketfizz.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated artesian spring water, pure cane sugar, citric acid, ester gum, caramel color and natural flavors. No preservatives: flash pasteurized for safety.

My thoughts: Rocket Fizz has produced many root beers over the years under a variety of names, but this one is the root beer they deemed worthy of bearing the company name. I've found their root beers to generally be a bit below average, so not a stellar record. So does this one finally break out of the rut of mediocrity, or simply continue the trend? Read on to find out!

The very initial flavor hit brings on the rooty sassafras flavor root beer is known for, but it's a very thin flavor, fading away extremely fast to a more watered down aftertaste. I like the flavor, there's just not enough of it that sticks around. I like what the nutmeg is doing, even if I feel like I smell the nutmeg more than I taste it, but it does add a bit of texture to the flavor profile. There is a bit of vanilla in the flavor as well as wintergreen, with the wintergreen playing a more prominent role in the aftertaste and leaving a cooling sensation behind.

This is a well carbonated root beer from start to finish. While it may not be quite as aggressively bubbly as I like, it presents a solid fizz that won't prickle your tongue too hard, but also not going flat. I like the amount of sweetness and the cane sugar doesn't leave as syrupy of a mouth coating behind. The root beer does foam and froth up a little, so gives it a slightly creamy texture that helps it feel smooth. 

Of all the Rocket Fizz in-house varieties I've tried, this is my favorite so far. Yes, the flavor leaves a bit to be desired (from a strength and longevity standpoint), but I think the basic formulation tastes good. The aftertaste isn't too revealing of new flavors, but with how quickly the flavor dissipates, the aftertaste might be the main profile one ends up tasting. I wouldn't mind drinking this root beer again. I think the nutmeg brings an interesting flavor profile that sets it apart from your average root beer.

Rating: B-
flavor: B-
aftertaste: C+
sweetness: A
smoothness: B

carbonation: B+