Skal Energy

Posted on July 31, 2023 | Last updated March 22, 2025

Skal Energy
The energy drink from Skal, a brand with over 50 years of history, has arrived. When it was first released on June 7, 2022, it was sold exclusively in the Kyushu region, but before long, it became available at chain stores in Tokyo.

As of 2023, I have seen it in 100-yen Lawson stores and Daiso in Tokyo. If you're interested in trying it, definitely give it a go! Now, let's try Skal Energy.

Skal Energy

Manufacturer	Minami Nihon Rakunoukyou
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	100 JPY
Flavor	Probioticdrink、TCM & Herbal Medicine、Chemicals
Total rating	★☆☆☆☆

Features and recommendations for Skal Energy

スコールブランドのエナジードリンク
特有の臭みがあり好みが強烈に分かれる

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 Skal Energy

When you open the can, a preservative-like, chemical scent spreads. This smell is quite strong, and with the energy drink format, it gives off a vibe reminiscent of traditional Japanese nutritional drinks... Let’s give it a try.
Flavor of Skal Energy
Upon tasting, you experience a mildly sweet, lactic acid beverage-like tang, complemented by a blend of preservative, chemical, herbal, and Chinese medicine flavors that envelop everything.

The original savory taste of Skal is completely absent, and almost all of the flavor consists of the preservative, chemical, herbal, and Chinese medicine-like notes, which persist throughout. Compared to typical carbonated drinks and energy drinks, it’s quite difficult to drink. If you’re expecting the taste of the original Skal, you’ll be disappointed.

On the other hand, if you enjoy the unique flavor of preservatives, chemicals, herbs, and Chinese medicine, this is a perfect choice for you. Recently, there haven’t been many energy drinks that emphasize the difficulty of drinking like a nutritional drink, so in a sense, it might be a rare gem.

Comparison of Skal Energy and Original Skal

The flavors aren’t exactly similar enough to warrant a direct comparison, but I did a little taste test.
Flavor of Skal Energy
On the left is Skal Energy, and on the right is Original Skal. The color of Skal Energy is a bit more milky, while Original Skal is a pure white.

Original Skal has a sweet, smooth mouthfeel with a refreshing lactic acid beverage aroma, leaving a light, refreshing aftertaste that’s easy to drink. It’s truly a high-quality product.

Skal Energy, however, has such an overpowering unique scent that it feels like it doesn’t quite capture the best parts of the original Skal. What a shame...

It might have been a tough decision to figure out how to transform the well-crafted Original Skal into an energy drink.

Energy Ingredients of Skal Energy

Energy Ingredients of Skal Energy
It contains 100mg of caffeine, 300mg of arginine, and a spice blend of cinnamon, bitter orange, nutmeg, and coriander.

Design of Skal Energy

The design is based on blue tones. The white swan from Skal has been reimagined with a more game-like character design.
Design of Skal Energy
The can clearly identifies it as an energy drink with the “Energy” and “ENERGY” labels, along with the typical energy ingredient list at the top. It’s easy to understand and looks great.

Unlike the retro, classic, and refreshing vibe of the original Skal, this design has a darker, street-style look with the lower half of the can in black and ink droplet patterns.

The design is striking and definitely differs from the traditional Skal image, making for an interesting product. However, the taste is where things get tricky. What do you think of it? I’d love to hear your thoughts through reviews!