I recently did a review on version 2 of Herolean, but I'm following up with v1 (which contains DMAA)!

I paired with Swole AF Hulk AF for pumps, which helps as v2 didn't give me much for pumps.

I spread this between three 1/2 scoops, which I took at various intervals. After downing the first half scoop, I could feel it pick up almost immediately. While it had the same pepper taste as version 2, it wasn't quite as distinct.

I could feel this kick in during my warmup, giving me great focus, but not really any euphoria. 45 minutes in it was time to hit the hard weights, at which point the sweats started kicking in from the GBB. I don't usually get consistent sweats, but only during heavier lifts. It was at this point that I downed my second half scoop.

I could really feel the focus kicking in with this at this point and halfway through my hard sets I finished another half scoop.

This is meant as more of a fat burner, and I can definitely feel it with both versions. Great focus and energy to push through, but not much in the way of strength. The weights felt heavy today, but that didn't stop me as the focus and energy were able to push me all the way through. At no point did I feel like throwing in the towel.

Afterwards (right now! :D), there is still a latent head high that's keeping me energized. I anticipate some sleep issues, more from the yo-yo than DM*As, but that is manageable. Recommended!

In comparison to version 2, I could definitely feel like there is something more than the DMHA. I could feel a little bit more on the Yohimbine side, but hardly any chills or Yohimbine head buzz. I did not feel overstimmed at any point, but I could feel something on a level higher than DMHA.

Altogether, I would say version 1 and 2 are pretty comparable. If you have a chance to nab v1 at a decent price, go ahead and do it as even expired batches still hit awesome, but don't spend a collector's price for it. I'm definitely glad to have it in my stack!

I finished my tub and peeled the label to plaster on my filing cabinet, that’s why the pic is not featuring a tub. It’s time to re-up.

The one downside to this pre is that it’s pretty heavy on the stomach. It took me a few times running it as a daily to really have it take hold of me. I had gone on a whim and saw a few reviews and before Nutricartel started selling samples I just figured to buy a tub. I’d say the first 3 or 4 times, I wasn’t really a fan of El Jefe. It’s one of those pre workouts where you have to figure out how to use it, once you have an ingredient profile that expansive and as a 2 scoop variety, it can be a challenging. The first time I ran this I did 2 scoops and found that it was a bit much. In fact, I thought I would puke not so much because of the high stim profile but more to do with the gassiness it was creating. I belched a few times and commenced with my workout.

After the first time, I began experimenting with doses and found that 1.5 scoops was the way to go. At 1.5 scoops it wasn’t too heavy but it was still heavy, but it seemed the more I was using it the less I was experiencing this god awful side effect. I eventually got to the point where I went back to doing the full dose of 2 scoops and found that if I just waited a bit longer for it to settle I would achieve the results I was expecting from this. I eventually had it down to a science where I would weigh my scoop to the 23gram dosage, take the drink, and then start my workout 30-40 minutes after the drink to the point of full activation. This was the first pre workout I was using where I didn’t just weigh my scoop and head straight to the gym. El Jefe (the boss) does command a little respect in this regard. The pump profile is within itself enough to be it’s own pre workout.

What I found to be so unique about this was the 500mg of theobromine. Sure it has a bunch of caffeine at 300mg but the synergy between 500mg theobromine, 500mg eria jarensis extract, 500mg DMEA and 200mg B-PEA make a very unique and feel good blend that dials in the euphoria once you’re activated and moving through the gym. Add on the 2mg of alpha yohimbine and you’re a flying, sweaty beast!

The best part was the consistency, each time I used the full dose of 2 scoops and each time I could expect to feel good, feel strong, and experienced motivation to achieve the goals I had set for myself in the gym. The pump profile was not only an added bonus but it’s the cherry on top of this high stim sundae! My thoughts when I first used it on a chest day was “wow, my chest feels full… like it just ate a 4 course meal with an appetizer and dessert!”

Sadly, I have run out of El Jefe. I’ve tried other daily drivers since then. Hypermax 3D comes close but it doesn’t scratch the itch. I certainly miss that hefty theobromine dosage in my daily. Writing this review makes me nostalgic to 2 months ago before I had run out of my El Jefe. I will surely get it again and next time, I at least know how to use it. The only thing comparable to this that I’ve experienced was El Jefe Guerilla that has more of a pump profile and slightly less stims (very slightly, EG: 400mg theobromine instead of 500).

The flavor I had was cherry pop and it was actually quite tasty! I’ve heard some negative things about other flavors but there was nothing offensive about the flavor I had. The one thing I did notice was the smell of the powder would sort of stain my fingertips after scooping. Handwashing hygiene is a plus when you’re going into dank and musty, viral laden gyms anyway!

This review is based off the exp:7/26 as it is the only batch of excelsior I have tried. This is a very versatile and very unique pre workout. In most cases when I review a product, I like to list the most noticeable ingredients or ingredients effects. In this case I don’t believe the label whatsoever. I believe the label is a work of fiction and I don’t even believe it has citrulline like the label says it does. With that being said, it is one of my favorites out there, definitely a top 3! When I take this one I almost always take it on a day where I can plan two separate workouts, or at the least I take it on a day where I can get a killer workout but expect a heavy workload.

Within the first time I tried this, I didn’t think too much of it. I was disappointed at first and couldn’t tell what all the fuss was about. That was until it fully kicked in! Once it kicked in I didn’t want to stop! The euphoria, the feeling of wellbeing made this in fact very unique! I knew this was unique because I had a solid workout for an hour and a half, and then when I got home I cleaned my house, and even after that felt like I should go back to the gym for another round. On a separate occasion, I did just that. Another key factor is versatility. Going by feeling alone, I don’t feel much for pumps so I’ve tried this both with and without a pump formula. I’ve used this for high intensity cardio workouts and in those cases will use it without a pump formula. On most cases when I am training in the gym, I pair it with a half scoop of bloodsport or a scoop of Maniaco pump for a well rounded, hard hitting workout.

Appetite suppression is for real with this. Although I take my pre workouts around 4:30am and am in the full swing of exercise by 5am, I’m usually ready for my protein shake by 8am. In the case of excelsior, I need to remind myself to take the protein shake. Aside from that, I can’t think of much else for side effects. Even the crash is manageable for me, perhaps since I take it so early in the morning by the time it wears off is about 12 hours later in most cases when I am just about finishing up my day. On that note, it would be foolish to take it in the afternoon and I never have even risked such a thing.

Even the flavor is amazing! It tastes like Hawaiian Punch without any bitterness or aftertaste. There is some slight issue with cotton mouth but I always try my best to stay hydrated in the gym anyways. My biggest complaint is probably what you would hear from anyone else that has a tub of excelsior. It’s really expensive and really hard to get. There is also a very tempting element to re-dose which tells me that the unique, unnamed ingredient on the label is a bit more illicit than what we may know.

Crack primal has a special place in my heart because it was the first Dark Labs product that I tried, and the first dark labs tub that I got. Right away you can tell from first sip that it’s a strong one. The flavor I have is “pineapple sangria” but it tastes more like some type of oven cleaner. I’m not sure what kicks in first, whether it’s the caffeine citrate or the synephrine but it starts off strong every time. Barely 15 minutes in after drinking the drink there is a strong sense of urgency that has you wanting to get started with your workout. I’ll always remember the very first time I took it, I was leaving for the gym as it was already activating and just the simple fact that I got to the car without my car keys had me in a very quiet fit of rage. Not so much about the irritation of forgetting my car keys but more to do with wanting to be in the gym lifting already. When I finally got my car keys and was back at my car, I noticed a slight lump in my throat. Every once in a while when I take this I will still get that feeling of having a lump in my throat which is why I said that I am not sure which ingredient is hitting first.

The buzz is phenomenal, as everything sets in place with this pre workout I experience that tunnel vision. Like I have blinders on and am only focused on that moment and my exercise. This is one of those pre workouts that seem to lasts for a good few hours… I can take this, complete a heavy workout, and even after working out for an hour or two, I sometimes walk away feeling like it’s never enough. I certainly suggest taking this on a day where time is not a factor and taking your time with the workout. It’s easier said than done because once everything is activated it feels like you want to do everything at once! After taking this pre a number of times, I’ve learned to pace myself in the gym and work at a reasonable pace. It may feel natural to want to move from set to set and exercise to exercise, but that’s when I tell myself to “slow it down a little bit”.

It seems like it makes you a bit impatient where waiting to recover between sets seems harder than lifting the actual weight itself. There’s just this long lasting sense of urgency and need to push where it feels like you may gas yourself out before completing your exercise.

From what I’ve seen people talk about, there are allegedly two batches. The first batch is the one I’m most familiar with and instead of an expiration date on the bottom of the tub, there is a manufacturing date. I can’t speak for the 2nd generation but on the 2nd tub I have there is a different lot number and there is an expiration date instead of a manufacturing date. My biggest takeaway from using this pre is definitely to approach your exercise with patience. It’s always best anyway to have a set menu of exercises but in this case it’s important so that you can get the best outcome between your workout and pre workout.

I ran a scoop and a half total after a full day of rest, after work. Taste was pretty general, but not too bad. Initial mixability was good, but it likes to settle at the bottom if you don't drink it right away.

The first half went down before my warmup and I could feel it kicking in within 10 minutes. Great head high, excellent energy, tons of focus and euphoria. As soon as I knew it, I was on to my regular sets at which point I chugged another half scoop and sipped on the last half as needed. Not too hard on the sweats and not a crazy heart rate elevation. Someone recently sold me the leftover of their tubs, saying it was too strong, but this felt just right to me. I've never had low energy on this.

The weights were heavy today, but I had such great energy that it didn't stop me one bit. Time flew by and I was at my ending sets before I knew it. I had a great leftover buzz from this and definitely felt like being active around the house, doing dishes, laundry and such. I had some definite appetite suppression afterwards and questions whether I needed to down the ritualistic protein shake afterwards. Of course I did :D, but it didn't seem necessary.

Euphoria and head high seemed to last at least an hour and a half afterwards as well. Crack Gold. Breakfast of Champions and it's frickin' GRRRREEEAT!