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Admit It: Throwback Tastes Exactly Like Regular Mountain Dew

January 26, 2010 By Jeff 97 Comments

I’ve been drinking Mountain Dew Throwback, because I want to believe it’s better.  But, to be honest, I can’t tell much difference…  It might be a little smoother, somewhat less harsh, but that could also be happening inside my head only.  I don’t know.  My afterburps even taste the same.

Can you tell the difference?  Everybody says they can, but I’m skeptical.  I took an informal break room poll last night at work, and one guy said it’s much sweeter than regular Dew, and someone else said it’s less sweet.  I’m starting to suspect there might be a bit of bullshit at play here.

I have yet to find a single person who will admit they can’t taste the difference.  And what’s the deal with that?  I can’t be the only one, can I?  Are people afraid they’ll be labeled as unrefined and unsophisticated, if they can’t, you know, recognize the subtle shadings and hues in a bottle of… Mountain Dew?

It reminds me of the pre-CD era, when record companies would release “audiophile” albums.  These were pressed on 100% virgin vinyl, cost about $35, and usually came in a heavy plastic sleeve.  Oh, they were nothing if not luxurious.

A friend would break out one of these things, often while wearing protective linen gloves, and place it gingerly on the turntable.  It would always be some “important” work, like Dark Side of the Moon, or Aja by Steely Dan.

Then they’d hush everyone with a dramatic wave of the hand, place the needle on the album, and start acting like they were on the cusp of sexual climax.  …And it ALWAYS sounded exactly like the $7.99 version I’d purchased at K-Mart.

I think people believe what they want to believe, a lot of the time, and don’t let pesky facts get in their way.  Or maybe I’m just an uncultured clod?  It’s gotta be one or the other.

Similar items from the same era:  gold-tipped speaker cables (gimme a break), and Denon cassettes.  The tapes were apparently made by Japanese nerds with Coke bottle glasses and pocket protectors, inside a Japanese laboratory in Japan somewhere — where they’re really cutting edge and advanced.

Sure, the things cost about twelve dollars each, and you have a seven year old chunk o’ turd Realistic tape deck.  But none of that matters when you’re using the best tapes in the world.  From Japan!

And I was hoping to cite some more current examples of this phenomenon — in addition to the Mountain Dew Throwback scandal.  But I’m going to have to rely on you guys, instead. I’m all outta time.

In the comments section tell us about other stuff that’s supposedly so much better (usually with a corresponding outrageous price tag), but isn’t.  In your opinion, anyway.  I’m especially interested in items that people evangelize about, but you can’t really differentiate from the standard model.

I wrote that kinda clumsy, but I’m sure you know what I mean…  Also, please tell me I’m not the only person on Earth who can’t tell the difference between standard Dew and the Throwback version?  I’m feeling a little lonely here…

See you guys tomorrow.  I need to go to work now, and cry softly into my keyboard until 1:30 am.

Have a great day, my friends.

Now playing in the bunker

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Comments

  1. WV.Hillbilly says

    January 26, 2010 at 6:25 pm

    Ladies and gentlemen, I have to be honest with you. .. if you EVER get a chance, to take these drugs… DO IT! They’re called…
    Placebos! …

    Reply
  2. chill says

    January 26, 2010 at 6:50 pm

    I never heard of this “Throwback” before today. Coke Blak, anyone? Did that stuff ever make in onto the shelves?

    For the expensive bullshit, I’ll take “audiophile cables” for $800 please, Alex. I can totally hear the nasty artifacts in bad digital audio, which may be why Ognir won’t listen to mp3s (and some folks won’t listen to CDs!), but I won’t consider any $100-a-foot RCA cables until there are a few double-blind tests published – it’s telling that there aren’t any. I still do work in the AV business, and I’ll second everything fattie20xl said.

    AWG, Blu-Ray is just a medium that records high-def, so yeah, you won’t see much difference.

    My theory of wine is that if you find an unfamiliar bottle for less than $10, buy it. There is a lot of good stuff in that price range. If it sucks, no great loss. Keep notes so you’ll remember what (not) to get next time.

    Reply
  3. CitizenX says

    January 26, 2010 at 6:51 pm

    Jeff, rest assured, you are not alone on the “throwback” I could not wait to try both MtDew and Pepsi and I sadly could not tell the difference in taste, but they are “zippier”

    I think the true reason for it’s availability is due to the recent bad press high fructose corn syrup has received. AWG hit the nail on the head when he noticed how he felt after drinking each.

    Bottom line: When Pepsi made the switch to high fructose corn syrup in 1981 to save money, we never noticed. Me? I like the retro labels more than the taste difference.
    No one is buying them? I just passed a huge bin of 20 oz’s at my local grocery store and they are selling for less than a dollar.

    Reply
  4. Chuck in Belpre says

    January 26, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    I worked at the Parkersburg, WV Coke bottling plant before it was shut down and at that time they used real sugar. NOTHING was as good as an ice cold bottle of Coke right as it came out of the filler machine. Now? Meh…reminds me a little of bug spray.

    Did someone say ice creem? Make mine Extreme Moosetracks, please.

    Reply
  5. hot fuzz says

    January 26, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    Was it Pepsi that used to have the pull tab that came right off or was it coke back in the 70s? Which ever one it wasn’t used to have cans with 2 holes in the lid – 1 about a quarter inch in diameter that you pressed first to release the pressure and a second button/hole you then pressed to drink.

    I have a nice inch long scar courtesy of the removable pull tab one. I’z like to show my nasty scar to da ladeez to imprezz dem yo….

    Reply
  6. 30 miles south says

    January 26, 2010 at 7:45 pm

    @ Dorothy – I know how you feel! Why can’t they leave things alone and quit coming up with new stuff?

    You should find someone who knows Ebay and maybe try and sell your old 78’s and e tracks on there. Some Artists & Titles might not generate any interest…but, on the other hand, you might have some old stuff that is worth a pretty penny! just a thought for you. People are still making money on Ebay, so get together with someone who knows how to do it, and give it a shot!

    Reply
  7. 30 miles south says

    January 26, 2010 at 7:50 pm

    Sorry Dorothy, I meant to type 8 tracks…not e tracks.
    I miss my my throwback keyboard! I think someone moved the letters around on these new ones:)

    Reply
  8. Greg says

    January 26, 2010 at 8:18 pm

    Speaking old stuff and e-bay, I’m looking at a 12 inch vinyl album. The front cover says “Elvis” vertically along the left side, and “Presley” horizontally along the bottom. It’s an RCA Victor recording, “A new orthophonic high fidelity recording”, (LPM 1254). That means it’s not even in stereo. Here are the songs on the album:

    Side 1

    Blue Suede Shoes
    I’m Counting on You
    I Got a Woman
    One-sided Love Affair
    I LOve You Because
    Just Because

    Side 2

    Tutti Frutti
    Tryin’ To Get You
    I’m Gonna Sit right Down and Cry
    Blue Moon
    Money Honey

    I’ve owned it since I bought it in 1956. Wonder what it’s worth on e-bay? Big bucks, maybe. Don’t worry, it’s not for sale.

    Reply
  9. Swami Bologna says

    January 26, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    Here’s a buncha LPM 1254s for sale:

    http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=LPM+1254&_sacat=See-All-Categories

    Reply
  10. Greg says

    January 26, 2010 at 8:43 pm

    Thanks, Swami. Wow, anywhere from ten bucks to four hundred! That’s a disturbing range! It doesn’t make any sense. It’s sorta like the link Jeff put up last week, with a CD going for $1200, or whatever. Thanks for the information! I think I’ll keep mine, as I’m sure there are lots of cracks and pops, due to my young age, and lots of “dropping the needle on the record” occurances. But you know, at that time, it was state of the art, and all those cracks and pops never bothered anybody.

    Reply
  11. Swami Bologna says

    January 26, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    Hey Bumblebee100k (re: can’t tell difference between regular TV and HDTV) — Are you sure your HDTV is hooked up to an HDTV source? If the HDTV is only receiving a normal TV signal (like with a cable box that isn’t digital, or if you’re only paying for basic cable that doesn’t include HDTV channels), then you’re not getting HDTV, regardless of whether or not you’re watching it on an High-Def television set — it will look exactly the same as your regular TV. In fact, it might even look worse if your High-Def TV is a big one (like Jeff’s Big-Ass TV), because a normal TV signal blown up real big on a high-def screen will accentuate the flaws and the mediocrity. of the normal signal.

    Reply
  12. Swami Bologna says

    January 26, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    Greg: I think most of the low-priced ones are still very early in their auction process (they have 10 days or more to go), so I’m sure their prices will rise the closer they come to the deadline. And most of the higher prices are “buy it now” prices, which is the amount the seller hopes to get. So the true value is probably somewhere in-between.

    If you’re an eBay member you can search for closed sales to see what the item has actually sold for in the past. That’ll give you the best idea of what it’s worth.

    Reply
  13. Greg says

    January 26, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    Thanks for the insite, Swami. I’m an e-bay member, and I’ll check it out.

    Reply
  14. Uncle_Wedgie says

    January 26, 2010 at 9:47 pm

    Throwback makes you fat. Regular gives you brain cancer

    Reply
  15. PIN146 says

    January 26, 2010 at 9:54 pm

    Just to add fuel to the fire, technically Mt. Dew throwback is less sweet than regular. 44g of sugar compared to 46g according to the nutritional info.

    Reply
  16. Lefty McLiberal says

    January 26, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    Don’t believe in anything that claims to be better because it’s more expensive. I only believe if it’s been demonstrated with double blind studies because humans are masters at fooling themselves; How else can you explain how placebos work?

    Monster cables are the best example of this.

    Reply
  17. Jed says

    January 26, 2010 at 10:33 pm

    So much is perception, presentation and context. I used to be an advertising director, and believe me when I say that many times, more energy was put into the presentation than the actual concept. Now, I design and build cabinetry to hold all of the fancy electronics we’re splitting hairs over. Don’t get me wrong, I love HDTV, but honestly, if I’m watching a show on HULU, five minutes into it, I forget about the crappy resolution. Humans are masters of adaptation but suckers for perceived value. A beautiful paradox if there ever was one.

    Reply
  18. Bumblebee100k@msn.com says

    January 26, 2010 at 11:31 pm

    Swami,

    According to Dish I am paying for HD so I better be getting it!! Yes I do have a BAT in the family room with 20″ non HD TV’s in the bedrooms, but heck I can’t tell the difference. I guess it’s a man thing, and no men here, well except the dog, (4 legged one)!!

    Reply
  19. White Trash Barbie says

    January 26, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    I wish I could contribute to this conversation, but I am one cheap bastard, and I never purposely by the more expensive of anything. The only thing that would be enhanced by a more expensive version of something would be my level of buyer’s remorse.

    Reply
  20. mountie9wv says

    January 27, 2010 at 12:05 am

    One time, in high school (!), I found a throw back “left handed cigarette” that had been strategically placed by my uncle in a location at my grandparents’ house that I had intended to use to place my something newer of the same product. Needless to say, with permission from said uncle, I compared the two. I must say, the newer version was much, much, better. However, I understand that the throw back version had not been preserved in the most ideal of circumstances. I was incapable of calculating the variables necessary for a valid comparison, for various reasons. I did have an excellent time conducting the experiment.

    Reply
  21. Greg says

    January 27, 2010 at 12:10 am

    mountie9wv, shit happens.

    Reply
  22. mountie9wv says

    January 27, 2010 at 12:46 am

    Yes it does. In that case, I could not complain.

    Reply
  23. clintcurtis says

    January 27, 2010 at 5:10 am

    My best “it’s all in your mind” story, comes from a friend of mine. He’s a Southern boy who was visiting New York City for the first time. He was in a restaurant and ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio…of which he had heard many great things. He took a sip, thought it tasted funny, but just assumed that he had such an unsophisticated pallete, that he just didn’t appreciate the quality of the wine.

    A couple came into the restaurant a while after him, and sat at a table beside him. They ordered the same wine. The gentleman took one sip, actually spit it out, and yelled, “WAITER THIS WINE IS BAD!!!” The wait staff immediately descended upon the table, offering the couple everything earthly possible to rectify the situation.
    …in the meantime, my friend sat at his table, with his empty glass of Pinot Grigio, too embarassed to admit his “unsophistication.”.

    Reply
  24. AngryWhiteGuy says

    January 27, 2010 at 7:16 am

    Chill, thanks for the explanation. I couldn’t figure out why these things are marketed to be the “next step” in viewing. I was hesitant to buy a CD player for a long time, for fear that home holograms of performances would be available the next year.

    Tempo, well, I just sort of missed your comments. Am I correct that you are a Rays fan? Didn’t you use to have a Rays avatar preceding your comments? Season before last seemed to be a fluke, as those guys aren’t trying to improve the roster now.

    On IPOD right now- “Rough Boy”- ZZ Top

    Reply
  25. jim britton says

    January 27, 2010 at 7:35 am

    Memories…
    I was brought up drinking Coca Cola.
    My family drank it, everyone I knew drank it.
    Good stuff.
    When Coca Cola withdrew the “old” formula for the New Coke, I tried the New Coke. The New Coke just did not taste right. I then bought as much of the old Coke as I could find.
    It didn’t last long.
    Pepsi Cola tasted “too sweet”.
    I eventually found my way to Jolt Cola.
    Yow.
    Jolt used to advertise that it had “All the sugar and twice the caffeine” .
    They weren’t lying.
    The original formula 1990’s Jolt would eat the enamel off your teeth “while-U-wait ™” .
    Mountain Dew was the “trip” drink.
    Need to drive from Bayville, NJ to Somewhere in South Carolina or Florida in a hurry? No time to sleep? You’re gonna swill some Mountain Dew.

    Reply
  26. johnthebasket says

    January 27, 2010 at 7:41 am

    I listen to CDs, which aren’t quite as true as vinyl but way better than MP3. That’s why I hold onto my Discman. I want to hear all 12 instruments playing on “Tangled up in Blue”.

    Reply
  27. bikerchick says

    January 27, 2010 at 8:54 am

    Greg: I have been in the antique business for years. I have seen people get into fights at estate sales over vinyl records. Very collectable. Here is a link you might be interested in:

    http://www.musicpriceguide.com/441804/Elvis_Presley_RCA_LPM_1254_Sealed_Historic_LP_Offer.html

    Check “completed listings” on Ebay like Swami said. Good resource for going prices.

    Reply
  28. Doug says

    January 27, 2010 at 11:25 am

    I thought the throwback MD was way sweeter then the current version. Too sweet for my liking. But now I’m stuck drinking the diet MD, after a severe ass-chewing from my dentist.
    As for wine, my preference is for the cheaper stuff. In my youth, I could pound down a bottle of Boone’s Farm during a half-hour lunch break, as opposed to having to sip the more expensive (and bitter) brands. Maybe if I tried some wine at my current age it may be different, but I’d rather just stick to good beer at this point.

    Reply
  29. tom in cola says

    January 27, 2010 at 11:42 am

    Two Buck Chuck—Yessss !

    Reply
  30. Ognir says

    January 27, 2010 at 12:35 pm

    That is right – it is made with cane sugar.

    You still get it that way if you buy Mexican Coke, or kosher Pepsi (among others).

    Reply
  31. AngryWhiteGuy says

    January 27, 2010 at 12:38 pm

    OK, this one is way out there, but every time I buy “turkey” sausage, or “turkey meat” or “turkey kielbasa” it seems to cost more than regular beef. Isn’t tukey the second most fucking cheapest meat in the world (next to chicken)?

    Are turkeys getting a cut of the action in this shakedown?

    I was told by the dickhead doctor that denied my test for the sheriff’s dept. that I should eat more turkey ground products to replace beef. The Child Bride told me this a year ago, without the $150.00 fee, and I have been obliging that rule of thumb. However, my cholesteral went up and my bank account went down.

    How does buffalo taste?

    On IPOD right now- “Blue Monday”- New Order

    Reply
  32. Greg says

    January 27, 2010 at 1:05 pm

    bikerchick, thanks for the link! $1500!! Woo, baby!! Almost makes me consider selling,……..but no, I’ll just hold on to it. Wish I’d never played it now, but hindsite is always 20-20. Good thing is, I’ve got hundreds of albums from that time period forward, and never gotten rid of even one record. Sounds to me like I’ve got a goldmine!

    Reply
  33. AngryWhiteGuy says

    January 27, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    And after all that, looking at the new bunkercam photo made me hungry.

    Reply
  34. Tempo Relentless says

    January 27, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    AngryWhiteGuy – Rays ??? Never !!!

    As a transplanted New Yorker, I have been a Yankee fan for all my born days – through some quite dismal seasons, long before Joe Torre showed up. Remember Horace Clarke? Fritz Peterson? Jake Gibbs? Unfortunately, I do…

    Reply
  35. bikerchick says

    January 27, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    Greg: It’s amazing what people collect and step on their grandmother’s throat to get to. Hang on to those babies. You prolly have a small fortune tied up in them!

    Reply
  36. AngryWhiteGuy says

    January 27, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    Tempo Relentless- I apologize for the insult. Now I recall another poster taunting you that used the Rays logo for their avatar, but their posting name has escaped me.

    I do remember those players and those seasons. However, I have been a half-assed Mariners fan for some ime time now and can relate to bad moves and even worse players.

    But, it’s good to see your name up here again.

    On IPOD right now- “Dashboard”- Modest Mouse

    Reply
  37. chill says

    January 27, 2010 at 6:31 pm

    AWG, buffalo meat is outstandingly awesome deliciousness. It’s also outstandingly expensive, at least at the Wegman’s near my house – three or four times the price than beef of the same cut.

    I think this and turkey-product prices are mostly due to supply and demand; less turkey is produced and consumed than beef, and buffalo is *much* less volume. Same reason that a router (the kind for networking) now costs $40, but in 1998 it was $4000.

    Reply
  38. Mark Eichholz says

    January 28, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    I’ve just tried the throwback mountain dew and there’s really not a whole lotta taste difference. The difference I notice is that the sugared product doesn’t make your spit all stringy the way that the hfcs product does. Just my 5cents worth (2 cents Confederate)

    Mark

    Reply
  39. t-storm says

    January 28, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    I remember banging your mom and then I tried the throwback version, her mom. I did notice a little difference.
    For instance your mom told me to rock her like a hurricane. Your grandma told me to rock her like a tropical depression.

    Your mom said she hadn’t been fucked that good since david crosby. Your grandma said she hadn’t been fucked that good since Bing Crosby.

    NP – Sugarfree Jazz – Soul Coughing

    Reply
  40. natefoo says

    February 23, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    I am waaaaaaay late to this party, but just wanted to add that I found basically no difference between regular Pepsi and Pepsi Throwback. I even did an experiment:

    http://natefoo.wordpress.com/2009/06/27/pepsi-throwback-the-double-blind-randomized-controlled-clinical-trial/

    Reply
  41. Yolannda Green says

    May 11, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    I’m a Mt dew LOVER its all i drink no water no juice just mt, dew I wear the shirt if i could i would paint my car mt dew IM ADDICTED TO IT and the throwback is too sweet for me there isnt a major difference but if thats all you drink you can tell the difference I DONT LIKE IT if i need an energy drink im an AMP girl the green can is as close to the real mt. dew as it gets!

    Reply
  42. Capn Bong Toker says

    August 25, 2010 at 10:39 am

    Throwback is made with real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. The taste is similar, better if you ask me. BUT, it is way thinner than regular dew, because there is no HFCS. If you cant tell that its thinner of a liquid your a complete retard who should be shot in the head.

    Reply
  43. Capn Bong Toker says

    August 25, 2010 at 10:39 am

    i Just have to post again because all you people are the stupid people on the planet if you cant tell a difference. I hope you all die

    Reply
  44. Capn Bong Toker says

    August 25, 2010 at 10:40 am

    1 more time. all of you are smelly pirate hookers, go fuck yerself, go fuck yerself, go fuck yerself, go fuck yerself

    Reply
  45. t-storm says

    August 25, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    You take 7 months to come up with that and we are the stupid ones?

    Reply
  46. CitizenX says

    August 25, 2010 at 7:26 pm

    W00T t-Storm beat me to it!!
    Whotta douchebag.

    Reply
  47. brian says

    April 16, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    I drink about a six pack of mt. dew a day. I don’t drink coffee I drink mt. dew. Believe you, me, Throwback tastes NOTHING LIKE regular Mt. Dew. NOTHING AT ALL. It’s like something when you don’t breathe through your nose so you don’t taste it… That’s how much I know the difference. Ive been doin’ the dew’ for decades lol and I can tell the difference is all

    Reply
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