My honest reviews on all of this HFCS/Sugar flavors
the original - Coke vs Mexican Coke. Mexican Coke, from glass bottle, tastes better than "Regular" Coke found in cans or plastic bottles. The slight taste difference could theoretically be only from the glass vs other container types, however, there is a distinct mild taste difference between the sugar and HFCS versions. The sugar version is less syrupy-like, and doesn't live a film-like feeling, and the aftertaste is gone much quicker. Overall I enjoy the Mexican Coke FAR more, but will never willingly buy it again unless it's at Kroger and I just want one bottle, like I did last time. Not worth the cost compared to the regular Coke.
Mind you, never had a Kosher-variant cola, ever. Not sure if they taste any different compared to the non-US versions that contain real sugar. However, all I have to say: Fucking U.S. Corn lobbyists. :|
Now, onto the Throwback line.
Granted, the formulas also appear to be a little different, so flavor is going to be different, far from only a change in using Sugar vs HFCS.
Pepsi Throwback - OMG, if this is what Pepsi would taste like, I would actually drink Pepsi. Mind you, I actually still prefer the current Coke formula found in the US. I would have to say, I would prefer a cold Coke, even with HFCS, over Pepsi Throwback. But no longer would I actively pursue never drinking Pepsi unless its basically the only thing around. I just cannot stand regular Pepsi, and love Coke. A Coke, current formula, with Sugar, is the best option, but not worth the costs to buy imported Coke. Pepsi Throwback seems like it was the original attempt from Pepsi to actively mimic the flavor of Coke. These days, whatever they did with the current Pepsi, just is not the same. I will easily taste the difference between Coke and Pepsi, but I will admit, that difference is much harder to find in Pepsi Throwback compared to modern Coke. The Throwback, like Mexican Coke, lacks that film-like feeling from the HFCS, and the aftertaste quickly disappears.
Mountain Dew Throwback - hmmm. I didn't expect this. A review I saw online, prior to tasting it, stated it was like drinking a flat Mnt Dew. Which, Mnt Dew has always seemed 'flat' compared to other pops, but this is even more so. It's not flat, just far less carbonated than colas and other drinks.
The Throwback also has a little more of a 'bite', whereas the current formula seems milder. The Throwback, imho, almost seems like a sweeter, less carbonated Sprite, with more syrup, and a little more of a mixed up flavor. Hard to describe the flavor. It's like something is missing, but yet something else is still there compared to Sprite to give it the edge. I noticed the modern version has Orange in the formula, but is not listed on the throwback. Granted, I think it could still be there under "Natural Flavors", but it likely just isn't there, and that addition in the modern formula is what gives the two seemingly different flavors.
And this one is a toss-up for me. I could see myself varying in preference, on a day to day basis, between the Throwback and the modern, HFCS variant. I'd like to see the current formula with Sugar vs HFCS to see what the difference would be like. But in general, I think I might prefer the modern formula over this Throwback.
When in contrast, I definitely prefer the Pepsi Throwback compared to the modern Pepsi formula. Using just Sugar in the modern formula most likely wouldn't change a thing except for removing the film-like feeling.