01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
American in the UK leaves Scots raging after trying Irn-Bru for first time
American Russell Valentin, who moved to the UK recently, has been trying out much-loved fizzy drinks from across the country. Including the much-beloved Irn-Bru!
An American living in the UK left Scots infuriated after he tried a selection of British fizzy drinks. Russell Valentin, who recently moved from Chicago to London, has left people raging with his preferences for certain beverages. His taste buds caused controversy in a viral post to social media where he tried Irn-Bru and Vimto.
Russell Valentin, 31, has been trying British foods and drinks to see if it matches up with his preference for hometown flavours. In a post which has since been viewed by over 120,000 people, Russell says he hopes nobody is "offended" by his beverage preferences. His taste in tipples has left people reeling, though.
His review of popular sodas including Vimto and Irn-Bru has left Scots distraught, with the "iconic" beverage not a flavour Russell had any fondness for.
He says: "Hopefully I won't offend anyone watching." Russell starts off strong by giving Vimto a measly four out of 10 rating, saying it tastes like bubblegum or a trip to the dentist.
The 31-year-old social media influencer then moved on to Tizer, which he suggested had a taste which reminded him of an "orangey creamy Coke". He gave the beverage a five out of 10.
The final drink selected by Russell is an Irn-Bru, which his girlfriend described as a "very iconic" beverage. The 31-year-old was no fan of the drink, though it did receive the highest score of all.
He said: "It tastes like the first one. It's got hints of that bubblegum flavour again. I'm sorry – it's not a flavour I recognise.
"Come to think of it, it's not like bubblegum, it tastes like a weird berry or orange, maybe. I am drawing a blank." He went on to give Irn-Bru a measly six out of 10.
He said: "I feel like all of these ratings are going to upset a lot of Brits. I'm so sorry in advance." Russell was correct – and many members of the public rushed to the comments to release their rage.
One furious user has suggested Russell is wrong to suggest Irn-Bru tastes anything close to bubblegum in its flavour.
They wrote: "I never understand why people say Irn-Bru tastes like bubblegum…IT DOES NOT TASTE LIKE BUBBLEGUM."
Another enraged member of the public added: "As a Scot, I'm offended, Irn-Bru tastes nothing like Vimto."
The comparison between Irn-Bru and Vimto also infuriated a third commenter, who called Russell a "heathen" in a furious comment left on his social media post.
They wrote: "Irn-Bru tastes like Vimto? 6/10 Right, get off my fyp. Heathen." Another corrected Russell on where Irn-Bru is from, writing: "IRN-BRU IS SCOTTISH, NOT BRITISH."
