IRN-BRU challenge the nation to describe unique flavour - to win a year's supply

What do you think IRN-BRU tastes of?

Published 13th Jul 2021
Updated 8 th Aug 2023

For decades IRN-BRU has been described as “indescribable” - but now it’s challenging the nation to put their taste buds to the test and pinpoint the unique flavour of the popular fizzy drink.

The UK-wide challenge is in celebration of IRN-BRU’s latest TV advert, which airs from Tuesday 13 July.

It’s set in a wild west saloon, where a bar brawl of heated BRU fans erupts – with each patron declaring their flavour is the definitive IRN-BRU taste.

Thankfully, order is restored by a lone cowboy, who strikes peace by proposing everyone agrees “it tastes magic”.

IRN-BRU is loved by millions world-wide, but the taste is often a hot topic of debate.

Bubblegum, tutti-fruity, orange, or cream soda; no one has ever quite managed to describe the exact flavour.

This is why the popular soft drink has launched The Great Taste Debate – challenging the public to grab a can, take a sip, and tell them what flavours they detect via social media.

To sweeten the deal, IRN-BRU will give one lucky fan a year’s supply of their legendary fizz for the best tried-and-tasted video (T&Cs apply).

TikTok stars including ex-Goggleboxer Tom Malone Jnr, Yorkshire Peach and Demi Yates have already had their say on the #IRNBRUChallenge by posting videos on the platform - which have already set tongues wagging.

Tom Malone Jnr, said: “IRN-BRU’s great taste debate really does have the internet fizzing.

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"I’ve seen viral videos of people tasting IRN-BRU for the first time and others going off in the comments with what they think it tastes like – so I’m really excited to be helping kick off this challenge.

"I’ve seen all sorts of weird and wonderful flavours shared; fresh oranges, sherbet, strawberries.

"I even saw someone describe the taste as fizzy unicorn tears. So, I can’t wait to see what the UK come up with when they take part.”

Adrian Troy, marketing director at AG Barr, added: “Whether it’s bubble gum or tutti-fruity, IRN-BRU fans can never quite agree on the exact taste of our unique soft drink.

"Naturally, we decided to have a bit of fun with this. Whatever the flavour, hopefully we can all agree on the fact IRN-BRU tastes magic.”

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As well as airing on TV across the country, the ad can be viewed by scanning QR codes found on cans and bottles throughout the UK.

To take part in IRN-BRU’s great taste debate, simply use #IRNBRUchallenge and tag IRN-BRU on TikTok (@irnbruofficial) , Instagram (@IRNBRU), Twitter (@IRN-BRU), or Facebook.

The IRN-BRU recipe

Only three people in the whole world reportedly know the recipe for making Irn-Bru: Former company chairman Robin Barr; his daughter Julie Barr (the firm’s Company Secretary and Legal Affairs Manager) and one other A.G. Barr board director, whose identity remains confidential.

Some claim the trio will never travel on the same plane, just in case.

It’s even rumoured that the recipe is locked deep inside a Switzerland vault to keep it from the prying eyes of competitors.

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Known for cake making, experimental jam recipes, Champagne, whisky and gin drinking (and the inability to cook Gnocchi), Rosalind is the Food and Drink Editor and whisky writer for The Scotsman, as well as hosting Scran, The Scotsman's food and drink podcast.
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