Faygo Original Rock & Rye
/Fun fact! Well honestly it’s less fun and more fact. We have never reviewed a Faygo beverage on the site. Odd, huh? So now that my fridge now has a smattering of Faygo products I figured it’d be a good time to try out a flavor that is a complete and total mystery to me, Faygo Original Rock & Rye. The only “rock” slang I know is either ice or drug related so I’m pretty sure I’m way off on that one. Rye is somewhat easily identified, but again not something I’ve ever experienced in a beverage. The ingredient list doesn’t help much in clarifying the flavor either. With a brief glance I learn that it’s sweetened with cane sugar and after that the ingredients just slide down a slope of chemical nonsense. I must assume it is chemical nonsense because all they’ve allowed me to read is “artificial flavors”…oh and of course your friend and mine, potassium benzoate.
Thankfully, beneath the name of the beverage the sentence “artificially flavored cream cola” is a road map for my brain, pointing me in the right direction. I feel safe in calling this beverage burgundy in color and very appealing to the eye in terms of label art and overall appearance. It’s a very classy looking bottle albeit simple. Any wonders I have about the taste are easily ignored when I gaze at the container the soda resides in. Smell time.
Faygo Original Rock & Rye is easily identified as a cream soda after a quick whiff. There is also what some might consider a bubble gum aroma also present which turns me of a bit to the soda, but hopefully it won’t translate into the flavor. It would be such a disappointment if this was just another bubble gum/cream soda. Taste time.
I’m pleased to report that it’s not your standard bubble gum fare at all. There is a cola flavor present in the early stages of my sip, but it vanishes quickly and transforms into something more akin to a red cream soda. Throughout all of this a delightful artificial cherry taste can be enjoyed which will bring up zero similarities to cherry medicine. It’s very well executed in my opinion.
Now I’ve listed cola, cream, and cherry as players in this bottle of Faygo Original Rock & Rye, but to call this a cherry cream cola would be an absolute lie. For one reason or another the flavors feel separated in the bottle which makes for a nice journey. Dependable, recognizable cola greets you as you start your 2 second hike through your current sip. He shows you the path you must take and points out the dangers ahead (Fire Tigers and the like). Just as you’re feeling safe enough to travel on your own the cream gently shows you the exit. As you approach the exit you look up and realize that cherry has been watching you all along. You’re a little creeped out with that realization while simultaneously feeling a bit of joy. The quick fizzing bubbles rush you out the door and you immediately want to see them all again.
Unfortunately the end of your journey involves the dreaded velvety curtain of syrup that just coats your mouth to the point of wanting glass of water when it’s all said and done. Faygo Original Rock and Rye isn’t a perfect beverage, but I have to appreciate the trip it takes me on with each sip.
~A
BONUS CONTENT FOR PAID MEMBERS ONLY...wait... we don't have paid members? Oh well, here's some interesting info from Reader Jim. Reader Jim, take it away.
Rock and rye pop was invented in Detroit by Anthony Wegener of A Wegener and Son Bottling works in 1885. Faygo did not invent the drink. The pop was reintroduced after the factory closed in the late 1950.s in 1973 in canned form. Under the approval of Mary Wegener the wife of the late Frank Wegener, whom was the son and former president of the company,. He passed in 1973. My family has cans from the Seventies with the label stating "WEGENER'S ORIGINAL 1885 ROCK AND RYE POP"
Twist will accept rye bread as currency
