IT’S old-style Irn-Bru – but not as you’ve ever tasted it.
In fact, this vintage recipe ginger set to be reintroduced to shop shelves is based on a mixture so old that it’s thought no-one currently living will have sipped it before.
Bru-wers AG Barr has dusted off its archive records to remake a recipe which dates back more than 100 years to the foundation of the firm.
READ MORE: Pat Kane: This is what our Irn Bru love affair tells us about modern Scotland
Named Irn-Bru 1901, the limited edition “old-fashioned” tipple has a frothy head and is only available in 75cl glass bottles – just like it was when it was first manufactured.
The recipe was found in a handwritten book by Robin Barr, former chair of the firm, and will be released in the run-up to Christmas.
Dubbing the “new” product “old and unimproved”, the company said: “Given the age of the recipe, it is thought that nobody in the world has tasted this early version.
“Irn-Bru’s research and development experts have worked to lovingly recreate the time-old recipe using modern equipment at Barr’s state-of-the-art factory in Cumbernauld to give fans across the nation a special treat.”
The release comes after the Cumbernauld-based company released a new formulation of its orange nectar, slashing the sugar content in response to a new UK Government levy on fizzy drinks.
The arrival of the sugar tax, which affects products with more than 5g of the sweet stuff per 100mls, saw Barr cut Irn-Bru’s sugar content in half to 4.7g per 100ml.
While welcomed by health campaigners, the move was not universally popular, and today remaining stocks of the now-discontinued full-sugar fizz are highly sought-after.
Retailers’ stocks are dwindling and the mark up on the original recipe of the drink is high, with online sellers offering multipacks for as much as £41 a pop. In May this year one Glasgow shopkeeper was able to sell individual cans of the drink for almost £7 each.
Sweet-toothed consumers may be pleased to know Irn-Bru 1901 does contain sugar.
However, it does not contain caffeine.
Robin Barr commented: “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 bottles will go on release on December 2 bearing labels that pay homage to the brand’s Victorian-era advertising.
The design features the famous Irn-Bru strongman and authentication from inventor Andrew Greig Barr.
However, the spelling of the name will not revert to Iron Brew in line with its original form.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel