I'm pretty sure they aren't affiliated, as far as jay Cutler used to be with ISS and now is with MT. MT is owned by Iovate Research, which also owns Six Star...
Did you get the energized Xpand?
The Energized version is caffeinated, could cause a headache for you.
I can't remark on the taste.
Theres a ton of pre-workout blends.
SAN V-12, Vault, DS Xceed,...
They're more or less the same. Optimum has digestive enzymes that supposedly makes the protein easily absorbed and digested, and ON also includes different kinds of whey (WPI, Hyrdrolyzed, etc) but...
Good idea bro. Personally I would add Xtend to that list, in place of NO-Xplode. Xtend, combined with creatine, can not only increase recovery but it will give you a good pump too. And I wouldn't...