The Cola War

I didn't want to leave any soda untasted, so I went to Galco's in Highland Park and the new Rocket Fizz in Burbank and said, "I'll take one of everything." Our first tasting was colas.
China Cola: Nuanced and pleasantly citrusy. Some might find it medicinal but I dig it.

Virgil's Real Cola: This stuff tastes like someone accidentally poured a crapload of vanilla extract in a Coke. Virgil's root beer is good, but this not so much.

Not See Kola: It's clear, get it? It makes me half amused, half offended and half thirsty. Tastes like seltzer water with cola flavoring.

Rush Cola: This is good and balanced. The ginseng is definitely there, though, which brings me bad memories of my dad's extra gingsengy samgyetang. He said it was good for my body and mind. This is the same guy who used to eat whole raw beef liver because it was good for the eyes. Dr. Tima Honey Kola: Good. Extremely honeyed, which makes sense seeing as there's "a bee in every bottle." I wonder if anyone looks for an actual bee like a worm in mezcal.

Coca Cola: I've had a long and serious relationship with Mexican Coke.

Filbert's Cola: This has the bitterness and tannins that make cola kick-ass.

Red Cola: If you come across it, get it. See if you can take a sip or even a sniff of it and not cough. You can't.
Ancient Cola: Should have been left in the past. Too dark, cloying and malty.

GuS Dry Cola: Grown up Soda is a whole line with half the sugar as other sodas and natural flavors. This one had nice cola flavor but little else going on.

Empire Cola: Tastes like a Mexican Coke with serious brown sugar overtones and even more sweetness. It has enough bitterness and tang to make it work, though.