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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sean Murphy

Scots can't agree on what Irn Bru really tastes like

New research has revealed that Scots just can't agree on the true flavour of Irn-Bru.

Tutti-Frutti, Orange, Ginger, Sherbert or Bubble Gum? How would you describe the taste of Irn-Bru?

Well, a new study has found that regions across Scotland have divided opinions on Scotland’s other national drink's top flavour notes, with Glasgow ’s top flavour being Tutti Frutti (20% of Glaswegians) and Edinburgh arguing it’s Bubblegum (21%).

And it's not just an east coast vs west coast thing, those in the Highlands favoured cream soda (10%), while others in Central Scotland identified a more fizzy flavour profile of sherbet 20%).

Ironically, the nation collectively did agree on one thing; 56% of Scots said that Irn-Bru tastes like girders - an undefinable mystery flavour that has been linked to the ginger nectar since it first launched in 1901 for the steelworkers who built Scotland as we know it today.

A-listers from around the world have also weighed in on the Irn-Bru taste debate.

The great Irn-Bru taste debate (Irn-Bru)

US politician Alexandra Ocasio Cortez tried the ginger for the first time at COP26 and said it reminded her of Kola Champagne from her youth.

Co-stars from ‘The Northman’, Alexander Skarsgård and Anya Taylor-Joy, tasted the drink together but neither could agree on what Bru tasted like after Skarsgård nosed it like a fine wine.

Adrian Troy, Marketing Director at AG Barr, said: “Throughout history there has been one thing that we can't seem to agree on - what does Irn-Bru taste like?”

“Next time you’re sipping on a BRU, savour it for an extra moment and let us know what flavour notes you taste.

"One thing we do know for sure - we all agree it tastes phenomenal!”

Adrian also called on others to weigh in on the debate and let Barr's know what they think it tastes like, by visiting the Taste Debate website.

They added that everyone who submits a tasting note will be entered into a draw to win a bespoke glass bottle with their unique tasting note written onto it.

Other popular flavour notes that came through on the taste debate research were ‘ginger’ (11%), ‘orange’ (7%), ‘candy floss’ (3%), lemon (1%), and rhubarb (1%) - showing that the nation really can’t agree on its distinctive taste.

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