Review: Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper
Feb 2nd, 2005 by Steve
Back in September 2004, it was reported that Dr Pepper was going to launch the second flavor extension of their famous brand (the first being Red Fusion). They set up a limited-run "Fountain Classics" line, which enables them to promote the new flavor for a short period of time and make some money (much like what Pepsi is doing with the Mountain Dew franchise). The flagship of this new initiative is Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper, which has been available in limited markets for a while and just now started showing up in Chicago.
I'm part of a family of serious Dr Pepper drinkers; my dad loves the beverage and it's one of my wife's favorites as well. Plus, you have to root for the Dr Pepper brand. It's not Coke or Pepsi and does offer its own unique flavor that is often imitated. (Now, if they would just bring back the whole "I'm a Pepper" ad campaign, that would be sweet!). I like the fact that the beverage is different, which is probably an ideological reason to drink it.
So how does it taste? Well, first off, it smells pretty much like the original Dr Pepper. And that first sip? Not bad. It's predominantly the traditional Dr Pepper flavor, however the aftertaste is noticeably different. DP usually has a "bite" to it, but the Cherry Vanilla version mellows that out with an obvious overtone of vanilla flavor. The cherry flavoring is ever so slight, much how it was substantially weak in Red Fusion. I had a hard time picking it out.
Overall, I was happy with the taste experience, though I expected a little more in the flavor department to differentiate from the original. On that note, I felt the packaging could have been done a little differently as well, given that the color and iconography almost too closely resemble the original. If I wasn't looking for it, I don't think I would have found this beverage, as it blends in too closely with regular Dr Pepper. I'd buy it again, but don't know how successful this will be to the folks at Cadbury Schweppes, makers of Dr Pepper.
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I have had thought that this Dr Pepper Cherry Vanilla was the best soda I ever had. I usually buy by the cases of 12 16oz cans all the times. I've been having a hard time searching at each of all the stores which still have them in stock… most of them was always out of them. Whenever I see stores that still have them in stock I usually buys the whole supply available on the shelves regardless if they But as far as I know now that all the stores had stopped selling them!!! I don't know if that item was discontinute manufacuring by a Dr Pepper Company but yet I still do see that those stores still sells DIET Dr Pepper Cherry Vanilla but not regular Dr Pepper Cherry Vanilla anymore I've tried Diet but yucky I hated the taste of the diet. So then I discovered that they sells Pepsi Cherry Vanilla and I bought a case of it. But that doesn't taste as great as Dr Pepper brand. I've surely missed this Dr Pepper Cherry Vanilla. Anyone of you people out there know where to buy specifically a case of 12 16oz Cans Dr Pepper Cherry Vanilla??? Please help me out here as best as u can, Thanks.