20/20's Coke segment

[Robert J. Devine]

The TV (pseudo-news) show 20/20 had a segment on the re-introduction
of Coke about a week ago. Some interesting data was presented. In a taste
experiment that they commissioned, the selection of best tasting cola
went like this (draw your own conclusions):
New formula Coke 29%
Pepsi 26%
RC Cola 26%
Old formula Coke 19%

The most absurd part of this story on expensive colored water was
the results of Gay Mullins' taste test (name is probably not exact; he
is the man who spent $50,000 of his own money in an effort to coax Coke
to bring back the old formula). The results -- he couldn't tell the
difference between old and new! Really! After a quick taste he said
that he was sure "cup 1" was Old Coke. Wrong. The reporter gave him
another chance. After 15 minutes and numerous swigs, he gave up, saying
that he simply couldn't tell.

Bob Devine