When I moved to Canada in 2019, I knew the icons — moose, poutine, plaid. But it wasn't until I experienced my first nasty cough that I learned about Buckley's, a Canadian invention that arguably should get more credit as a national icon.
Buckley's has been treating sore throats and coughs since 1919 — that's over a century of helping Canadians, old and new, get relief from these unpleasant symptoms that can really ruin your day.
As famous as it is for working, Buckley's is also renowned for being, let's say, an acquired taste. To their credit, the company hasn't been shy about it. They went viral (as viral as you could go in 1986) for the tagline "It tastes awful. And it works," and they've been topping the charts for cough syrup since. Frankly, kudos.
While committing to the bit is enviable, there's always room for improvement. Recognizing that people want to soothe their symptoms without it feeling like a dare, Buckley's launched Buckley's Soothing Mixture this year. It's the OG formulation combined with the great taste of honey. The claim? "It tastes less awful. And it works."
That's how I ended up with a bottle each of classic Buckley's and Buckley's Soothing Mixture, determined to see if the latter does, in fact, taste less awful. But first, the original.
Buckley's Original MixtureLouie Murray | Narcity Media
The bottle itself is reminiscent of a tonic you can imagine purchasing from your local apothecary a century ago, thankfully with modern touches like an active ingredients list, dosage instructions and company contact information.
While the safety cap nearly foiled me, I opened the bottle and caught a whiff of the mixture. Granted, it reminded me more of a hike in a pine-filled forest than anything I'd want to pour into my mouth, but I certainly wasn't repelled.
Then I took a sip, and I understood. It does indeed taste awful, and — as my throat was soothed and what smelled like a forest of conifers exploded through my sinuses — it works. I took in an incredibly fresh lungful of air and thought to myself: "Yep, that'll do it." It's the sort of thing that's awful for a split second, but the immediate relief makes you forget about it (almost).
So, with my "awful" baseline calibrated (they weren't kidding), I looked to the Buckley's Soothing Mixture bottle, which promises a "taste of honey" alongside the logo for True Source Certified Honey (which makes up almost 20% of the ingredients).
Buckley's Soothing MixtureLouie Murray | Narcity Media
The moment of truth: Spoon quivering in my hand, I introduced my taste buds to Buckley's Soothing Mixture. And, you know what? Buckley's came through. It does taste less awful. I don't know why I doubted them, considering the company has never had a problem telling the truth about the taste.
Of course, the flavour isn't candy-like; it's still Buckley's. However, the honey taste and slightly thicker consistency make the whole experience more pleasant several times over.
If you've ever thought: "I'd totally use Buckley's when I have a sore throat but can't get past the taste," then Buckley's Soothing Mixture might just bridge that gap for you. I know I'll reach for it before the original mixture the next time a cough threatens to ruin my day.
The original Buckley's isn't going anywhere either. So, if you love the original Buckley's, all I can do is salute you. If a taste of honey does the trick for you (like me), go for it. The great thing about Buckley's, whichever you choose, is that it works.
To learn more about Buckley's Soothing Mixture, check out their website and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
The information in this article is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.