BIG SHOCK Original

Posted on July 26, 2017 | Last updated February 12, 2025

BIG SHOCK Original, the flagship energy drink brand of the Czech Republic, was launched in 2003.

The bright yellow color, which serves as the brand's signature, and the striking design make it unforgettable after just one glance.

Currently, it is mainly sold in the Czech Republic, but it previously expanded its distribution to several countries in Europe and even South America.

BIG SHOCK Original

Manufacturer	BIG SHOCK
Country of Origin	Czech Republic
Price	25.9 CZK
Flavor	Chemicals
Total rating	★★☆☆☆

Author information Author: Energy Drink-kun

In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.

Flavor of BIG SHOCK Original

Upon opening, a classic and chemical-like aroma spreads. It’s not overpowering, but it subtly fills the air.
BIG SHOCK Original
When I tasted it, I was shocked to find that it’s non-carbonated! Σ(´∀｀；)
The flavor is chemically acidic, and without carbonation, it lacks the usual refreshing sensation, giving it more of a medicinal taste. It feels more like a health drink than an energy drink.

The acidity is surprisingly strong, and after drinking, I could feel the acidity rising up from my stomach. I imagine it has a good amount of citric acid. It’s quite intense (ヽ´ω`)

The lingering acidity and aftertaste are persistent, and since it’s non-carbonated, it lacks the crispness that a typical energy drink would have. It’s not a refreshing taste, and honestly, it’s not very tasty. However, I do find myself impressed that they made this the original flavor (^_^;)

BIG SHOCK Packaging Comparison

In 2012, the design for BIG SHOCK Original released in Germany adopted the design of the carbonated original flavor, BIG SHOCK GOLD. I decided to compare the German original with the Czech carbonated GOLD.

On the left is the German original, and on the right is the Czech GOLD. The original uses the GOLD design, which is interesting.
BIG SHOCK Original
The bubbles on the can represent carbonation, which is characteristic of the GOLD design. This suggests that in Germany, the original became carbonated, unlike the Czech version.

I was eager to try it, and when I poured the German original into a glass, it foamed up, revealing that it was carbonated (^_^;) By the way, both the German original and the Czech GOLD tasted the same.

Oh, and there’s also the 2011 German version of the original, released a year before this bubble design. Let’s open it up and check the contents.

Both are German versions of BIG SHOCK Original. The left one is the 2012 edition, and the right one is the 2011 edition.

The result was that both versions, despite lacking the bubble design, were carbonated. It turns out that the German and EU versions released a carbonated energy drink, unlike the non-carbonated one I had expected. Looking back, a non-carbonated version might not have been a great idea, so this decision makes sense (^_^;)

In 2021, not many foreigners would go to such lengths to explore this, but there's something about digging deep into these quirky details. The fact that I confirmed with my own senses that a carbonated BIG SHOCK Original exists was quite a significant moment for me (●´ω｀●)

Energy Ingredients of BIG SHOCK Original

Contains 160mg of caffeine and 2000mg of taurine. It was released with double the ingredients of a standard 250ml Red Bull and in a large size.

Design of BIG SHOCK Original

The original and other flavors are mainly unified in yellow, establishing BIG SHOCK’s signature brand color. The Czech BIG SHOCK series typically uses a yellow tab.
BIG SHOCK Original
Some cans in other countries feature red or navy tabs, but the yellow tab remains the signature.

BIG SHOCK has released numerous limited-edition designs over the years, all of which are quite cool.
BIG SHOCK Original
Since 2016, the brand has been consistently releasing limited flavors and designs, incorporating bold new elements, which have significantly transformed the brand’s image. It seems like a new designer joined the team.

In 2017, all of the classic flavor designs were revamped. On the left is the old design, and on the right is the new one.
BIG SHOCK Original
This redesign shifted towards using only color and text to represent each product, making it very simple and arguably lacking in character. However, limited-edition designs now often feature large, flashy illustrations, emphasizing the exclusivity of the product.

Despite being a small country, the Czech Republic is home to a very interesting energy drink brand that continues to evolve with numerous flavors and designs. At one point, BIG SHOCK was sold in several European countries and even expanded to South America. If you’re ever in the Czech Republic, be sure to pick up a BIG SHOCK product—you’ll have plenty of options to enjoy, from the regular offerings to the limited editions.