This review completely changed my opinion about Thermos Nissan products. As mentioned way back in the beginning of this Detailed Review, I used to think that Nissan was an overpriced, under performing line, banking on a famous name instead of providing superior products. That is so false, it isn't even funny.

Sure, not everything in this test roundup was what I would consider exceptional; a couple of the mugs, a tumbler, the new thin 1 litre bottle, and the press pot were less than stellar for me and the folks I got involved in the testing. But by and large, I walked away very impressed with this linup.

And I was even more impressed with the company. I've had several conversations, via email and phone with the Vice President with Thermos and the person who is running both the commercial division and the Thermos Nissan division, and my read on them is very good - they are very passionate about the products their company produces. They remind me of some of the stars in the espresso business - you know the type - the guys who eat, sleep, live and breathe espresso, and the machines that produce them. This was an eye opener for me. Thermos is such an established company, I half expected the "suits" in the top office to be "business as usual" types who just want to watch the bottom line, never really caring about the consumer.

This isn't the case with Thermos and their Nissan division, let me tell you. I remember one phone conversation with the VP where she went off on a tangent about experiences a customer had with a Nissan product, and I could tell she was genuinely affected by the customer's thoughts, and more importantly, the appreciation for the product. There's nothing wrong with that, in my book. We need more people like that in business. We all benefit.

Back to the product line, while most of the Nissan samples I had left me impressed, some were true standouts. I'll single them out here.

Standout Products

• TiBottle - need I say more?
  
  
• TGS1000 Carafe - nice piece of engineering, works awesome in the kitchen and probably equally as well under high volume use, and very versatile in the commercial line, with brew-through lids available.
  
  
• JCA/JCE350 Cups - Love the versatility in this product, the super slim design, and the possibility that they will sell a super deluxe version with the glass insert AND sipper cap in 2003 based on my request :)
  
  
• JMI400 Tumbler - Cheap (relative to Nissan products), but like almost everything else they make, rock solid, and a performer. Love this cup for cold drinks.
  
  
• JMJ185 Double Expresso Mug - again, for someone who enjoys a 5oz americano in the morning but can barely be cognitant to enjoy it in time, this is a godsend. Nice little cup, looks great too.
  
  
• JMW350 Leakproof Backpack Bottle - okay, I was a bit unkind to this product in my review, but as I conclude, this is one amazing little bottle. The lid is completely unique to Nissan, it does the job, and it retains heat surprisingly well for its size.
  
  

These were the standouts for me personally, and for many of the folks who helped me test. Of course, the woman I gave the sexay bottle to (grin) was enthralled with it, as well as the pump pot. I was equally impressed with their heat retaining abilities.

Wrapup

Once again, I would like to thank Thermos Nissan for supplying CoffeeGeek with these products, and also thank Thermos Online for being the product vendor. They have the entire current range of Thermos Nissan products.