Rei Verde Export Premium is exactly what I expected after coming from Rei Verde Traditional (yellow bag)…

It’s stronger, more powerful, and packs a bigger punch.

It’s like what Canarias Edicion Especial is to Canarias Traditional.

And for me, I like this way more than the Traditional. But similar to it, I don’t know what to expect whenever I prepare it.

Sometimes it likes to perform and sometimes it doesn’t. Which sucks because when it does taste really good… it’s good.

Keep reading to find out.

Nose

To the nose, Rei Verde Premium isn’t as pungent as I’d expected it to be. But the aroma is something to admire. It has that unique sugary cereal smell that can be found in a handful of other brands. It’s like opening a bag of Frosted Flakes. But beneath that are hints of woods and dried fruits.

Taste

It’s easy to tell that the Premium is related to the Traditional, especially when the flavor profile is nearly the exact same.

On the first few sips, a bready and malty note takes centerstage among the typical earthy, soil taste of Uruguayan yerbas. But what really reminds me of Rei Verde Traditional here, is the floral note and fruity tartness. This flavor combined with everything else makes me feel like I’m drinking the same bag, just with a bit more punch and bitterness. And like the Traditional, the Premium also has a very reminiscent flavor of Del Cebador – as it should.

But that’s not all there is to this yerba. After about 2-3 refills, new notes start to appear. A soft woody flavor creeps its way in. Hints of bitter cream, dark chocolate and peanut butter hide behind each sip. And most noticeable to me is a natural sweetness from the yerba, that borders on dried fruits. This sweetness is very noticeable and makes the rest of the mate smooth and enjoyable.

Similar to the yellow bag, this one also throws me in for a loop. I don’t know what to expect each time I prepare a mate with this. Sometimes, it’s mostly bready and bitter, other times, it’s sweet and soft. As I’ve said in the past, this can be both a good and bad thing. It depends if you’re up for the surprise.

I found Rei Verde Premium to do best in water temps of around 150-160ºF (66-71ºC). This range seems to bring out the complexity of this yerba the best.

Finish

Rei Verde Premium surprised me here as it has a strong and long finish. In the beginning, there’s not much flavor. Only a bitterness. But later on, the flavor lingers with notes of nuts and dark chocolate, and very much reminds me of Del Cebador’s.

Body/Texture

Rei Verde Premium is a full-bodied mate. The first few refills show a very creamy texture with a bit of graininess. Astringency can be pretty strong on the first few sips but slowly fades as you keep drinking. This leaves my mouth feeling sticky and a bit dry.

Cut

Rei Verde Premium has a classic P.U.1 Uruguayan cut. The typical cut you see with all Uruguayan yerbas. Comparing it to the Traditional, and you can barely tell the difference. The bag is filled with tons of leaves and powder, with stems being barely visible to the eye. Leaves are cut practically all the same size with some being burned to a black color. But overall, the yerba shows a beautiful array of greens, browns, and yellows. Stems are barely noticeable with only a few small white ones here and there. As always, with any Uruguayan cut, a spoon bombilla is for filtration.

Cycle

With Rei Verde Premium, this yerba has a long cycle. Which is no surprise as all Uruguayan yerbas last longer than average. But this one does not give up on producing lots of flavor, no matter how many refills. If you’re going to drink this, be prepared to for a long session as this will last you a couple hours and over a liter of water.

Effect

When I drink this yerba, the effects are pretty much in line with most Uruguayan brands. A nice jolt of energy and boost in focus can be felt within one to two refills. And as usual, a nice floaty-head sensation can be felt as well. Rei Verde Premium doesn’t get me hyper or jittery, but I do feel alert and ready to go. Definitely not relaxed. Maybe clear-headed.

For me, I’d drink this if I wanted a good pick-me-up. It’s been great in the mornings. Afternoon or evening and it could be too much.

Rei Verde Export Premium Review

Compared to the traditional, Rei Verde Premium isn’t exactly better or worse. For me, they both serve their purpose.

The only difference and thing to consider is the strength between the two.

While the Traditional is milder and smoother, the Premium is bolder and more in your face. When I’m looking for something with lots of flavor, this is the one I’d go for. Its taste is smooth, rich, and soothing.

Compared to a lot of other Uruguayan brands, this is definitely an overlooked one, and one I’d gladly buy again.

If you want to give it a try, click one of the links below now:

PampaDirect (Worldwide)
Click Here To Get A 500g / 1lb Bag
Click Here To Get A 1000g / 1kg Bag

P.S. If you enjoyed this review, you can also check out our shop because we have exclusive mate gourds and bombillas like the one in this article!