Cheerwine, Sprecher Puma Kola

Sprecher Puma Kola: Second Sprecher drink. Guess I'll have to do some more research

about the company. Pleasing cola smell though mild (again, that could be me and PD). Tastes and drinks like a cola. What I said about Cheerwine applies here too, just seems to be a deeper flavor. And that after taste. Is that cinnamon? Its a spicy after taste, but not hot type of spicy, just a little twist. Caffeine free as well. I love black cats. What's not to love about a cola that has a black puma on its label? Awesome drink, will be buying again. 

Late update from the Sprecher Gourmet soda website:

"All Natural Puma Kola, is fire-brewed in our unique gas-fired kettle for distinctive flavor and character. Each batch is made from scratch using the finest ingredients; kola extract, real vanilla, a pinch of cinnamon and pure honey. You will roar with delight at this wonderfully rich and flavorful soft drink."
Cinnamon flavor. Nailed it!


Cheerwine by Carolina Beverage Corp.: First made in 1917. Claims to be "the oldest continuing soft drink company still run by the same family". Started in Maysville, KY, by the Maysville Syrup Company. At the time, mint cola was their biggest seller. Also at this time, railroad was the largest form of cargo shipping. Then came WWI. Trains were used for war supplies with little room for ingredients never mind transporting the soda itself. Maysville Syrup soon went bankrupt and was bought by LD Peeler. Carolina Beverage Corp arose from the ashes. Initially, CBC kept making mint cola, but they watched as cherry flavored sodas became popular as soda fountain drinks. CBC decided to tap into that market. In 1917 a salesman sold Mr Peeler a unique cherry flavored syrup the had almond oil essence in it. Mr Peeler took this, the original mint cola and 11 other flavors to get Cheerwine. The Great Depression hit and CBC could only afford to make one soda. Cheerwine won out over mint cola. The manufacturing plant fully moved into North Carolina, and the south is still the most extensive market for Cheerwine, though manufacturing plants can now be found world wide. There is Cheerwine ice cream. sherbet and cake, even a joint partnership with Krispy Kreme to make Cheerwine donuts.  And there a number of accessories like tshirts available. "Cheerwine" comes from its burgundy wine-like color and people hopefully be cheerful drinking it.

So the soda. Let me first say that what I had heard led me to believe this was going to be a cherry soda, as opposed to a cherry flavored soda. I was in for a surprise. I didn't get much of a scent from it, but seems to be a bad day for smell and PD issues. Maybe a mild cherry scent. Tough to tell. The first sip was the surprise. I expected a fruit soda. What I got was a unique tasty soda. I suppose the crude comparison could be made to Dr Pepper, but Cheerwine has much more depth of flavor (and this comes from someone who used to drink Dr Pepper faithfully). Very pleasant, not too sweet, smooth soda. After taste wasn't anything remarkable, nothing so different, and certainly not bad. Loved it. Will be buying and drinking again.