This is the Suntory Nope Guilty Carbonated, a Japanese carbonated cola marketed as a “guilty pleasure” for stressed young adults seeking indulgence without worrying about calories, fat or sugar. It features a complex blend of 99 fruit and spice flavours.
The beverage presented with an opaque, dark brown-black hue. Aroma opened with a sweet, spiced fruit character.
Initial contact delivered a fruit-forward profile with rich sweetness, reminiscent of spiced fruit punch combined with the flavour of Japanese fruit gummy candy. Moderate effervescence provided some lift against the sweetness. Through the mid-palate, the cola’s spiced notes emerged, adding complexity and a heavier, fuller-bodied profile reminiscent of artisanal cola or Dr Pepper.
Towards the finish, the sweet, spiced fruit profile receded as the carbonation lifted the palate, leaving a clean aftertaste. Compared with an artisanal cola, however, it lacked the balancing acidity needed to offset its intense sweetness. Its profile also leaned more heavily towards fruit than spice, with the latter providing complexity rather than taking the lead.
Overall, a carbonated cola with a fruit-forward progression into layered spice, supported by moderate effervescence and a full-bodied profile, resulting in a complex but intensely sweet beverage that prioritised fruity richness over the acidity needed for greater balance.
This Suntory Nope Guilty Carbonated contained 600 mL. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia, in 2026.