Speaking about the new launch, which will arrive on our shelves this December, the Cumbernauld based company said that the new drink would feature the “old and unimproved” recipe and would hark back to 1901 when Irn-Bru first launched.
According to the team, the new expression will be sold in 75cl glass bottles – expected to be priced around £2 – just as it was back in the day.
Robin Barr, who unearthed the recipe, said: “The 1901 recipe has aged beautifully over the last 118 years.
“For a limited time we’ll be producing a premium ‘old and unimproved’ Irn-Bru 1901, just as it was enjoyed by our first fans.
“This is Irn-Bru as you’ve never tasted it. It’s a chance to enjoy a unique and authentic piece of Scottish history – but don’t hang about, we don’t think it will be around for long.”
The First Quencher
#1901Recipe #LimitedEdition #ComingSoon pic.twitter.com/ykZUnUa6F2
— IRN-BRU (@irnbru) October 23, 2019
Fans were delighted with the news, with many flooding Twitter with comments stating that they were excited to see try the new drink.
— KAZ (@weekazMFC) October 23, 2019
— Daryl MacDonald (@MrDarylMac) October 23, 2019
@CelticBhoy77771 wrote: "Sorry Coca Cola you're getting ditched in December."
Honestly best news ever waking up to find out original irn-bru is coming back 😆
— Aiden Anderson (@AidenCDXX) October 23, 2019
@ScottWWright was lucky enough to try a sample, and he approved of the new recipe: "Sampled Irn-Bru 1901 yesterday and was whisked back to my late '70s, early '80s childhood. A glimpse of what soft drinks used to taste like, with a sugar rush just off the scale."
Is thinking about the @irnbru #IrnBru1901 my human will want it. Will make him happy, he buy me treats, I then a happy Scottie doggo. pic.twitter.com/5I43vCHZnD
— House and Carrot (@House_Carrot) October 23, 2019
@AntonyMurray25 posted: "Nearly wept with happiness upon reading about relaunch of proper Irn-Bru. The idea that it's limited edition has already put me in a funk."
https://twitter.com/RealMarkDallas/status/1186927983895945216
@SNPMichael demanded more, he wrote: "Just need them to bring back pre-sugar tax Irn-Bru and Fiery Irn-Bru now."
I can't stop thinking about proper Irn-Bru coming back.
— Millarworld (@mrmarkmillar) October 23, 2019
@FraserASmith added: "Making up for lost sales... You know it's coming. This will sell well and proper Irn Bru will be back in no time and I for one am over the moon."
@NotTimorous said: "Very clever marketing by Barr's. Hats off to you. Re-package old recipe Irn Bru in time for hangover season and charge a fortune for the privilege. Cracking stocking filler!"
Sadly, Irn-Bru lovers south of the border might not be able to try it any time soon...
Just in Scotland for now but watch this space...
— IRN-BRU (@irnbru) October 23, 2019
Questions were soon being asked about the new recipe and whether it was similar to the pre-sugar tax version.
@1030 asked if it was the "same recipe as 2001", to which the official Irn-Bru account responded: "No, this is an authentic original recipe from 1901 that came from a handwritten recipe book stored deep in the IRN-BRU archives for more than 100 years."
Another user added: "Even if it's not the full sugar-recipe, the reaction to this drink shows that fans are desperate to have a version of it back. Barr's would do well to listen."
@Gregobi89 then said: "Yeah, this is such an obvious attempt to bring back full sugar in a way that they can claim is 'new' and not at all a backtracking of their decision to remove sugar from the regular Irn Bru because they don’t want to admit they were wrong."
@cjdoc414 wasn't holding back with his views: "Just bring back the real stuff and ditching this 'new and improve' aspartame riddled sewage water they've been passing off for the last few years."
@PaisleySteelman wasn't enamoured with the price: "I wonder if these sad people celebrating news of a sugary irn bru launch will be so cheery when they realise it's TWO QUID for 750ml."
To which several people simply responded that it was "worth it".
Irn-Bru 1901: Barr's to bring back original recipe Irn-Bru this Christmas
