# New Starbucks "Smoked Butterscotch" drink review **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 14, 2016, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-starbucks-smoked-butterscotch-drink-review/748960 "2016-03-14T09:45:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-starbucks-smoked-butterscotch-drink-review/748960/1 "2016-03-14T09:45:18Z")
For the record, while I like Starbucks coffee I very rarely get the frappuccinos. They’re totally loaded with sugar, which I try to keep my intake of very limited for the most part. But today I was feeling saucy, and craving that blend of caffeine + something sweet + something cold and mushy and set out with the intention of getting a caramel frappuccino as a rare treat and dietary cheat. When I got to the Starbucks drive-thru, they were advertising a new drink called the “Smoked Butterscotch Latte”, available either as a hot drink or a frappuccino. I decided in the moment I’d give it a try instead. Well, I’ve never actually heard of smoked butterscotch before, but it tastes exactly like it sounds. “Smoked” can be a great flavor for meats and cheeses and such. But for something sweet and syrupy like butterscotch, especially in a cold drink, “smokiness” is just not a taste I want to add to that. It almost tasted like I was drinking something that had been burned. _Maybe_ it works better in the hot version of the drink, but I won’t bother trying it. It was not good. I give it 2 stars out of 5, only because it wasn’t the worst thing ever. While I’m sure it might be appealing to someone out there, I would not recommend. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-starbucks-smoked-butterscotch-drink-review/748960/2 "2016-03-14T17:50:26Z")
I have heard it was Starbucks attempt to make a “Butterbeer” flavour? The hot drink wasn’t awesome either. I had it on cheat day and found all of the flavour at the bottom of the cup. I miss the salted caramel mocha (my usual cheat drink). In the summer, I like the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frap (but only on cheat day, that sucker is loaded). ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-starbucks-smoked-butterscotch-drink-review/748960/3 "2016-03-14T19:03:17Z")
I’ve had it a few times in a hot latte version. I thought it was good, not overly sweet. I don’t know if I’d call it a smoked flavor but more like a carmelized flavor. I prefer it over their carmel flavoring. More of a smooth buttery taste than sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-starbucks-smoked-butterscotch-drink-review/748960/4 "2016-03-14T19:09:49Z")
All Starbucks’ fancy drinks have a greasy-smoky aftertaste, to me. Not even like something they put in there on purpose, more like I just licked the pole at an old barber shop full of overflowing ash trays. I hate to imagine what it’s like when they’re \*trying \*to make it “smoky”. ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-starbucks-smoked-butterscotch-drink-review/748960/5 "2016-03-14T20:51:26Z")
I had the hot version and thought it was ok but nothing special. It’s just a minor (VERY MINOR) tweak on the Caramel Macchiato. And yes, all of the flavor tended to collect at the bottom of the cup. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-starbucks-smoked-butterscotch-drink-review/748960/6 "2016-03-14T20:57:30Z")
Tried the Frap version. It was OK for about half the drink then the smoke flavor got to be waaaaay too much. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-starbucks-smoked-butterscotch-drink-review/748960/7 "2016-03-14T23:03:33Z")
I tried the frozen version. It sort of reminded me of a toasted marshmallow. I probably wouldn’t order it again, but it wasn’t gross or vile or anything. There are just other things I like better that I’d order instead. I do not regret trying it. I suspect it might have been better as a hot drink, but don’t intend to test that theory. Edit: I did not have the problem of the smoke flavor concentrating towards the end as others have reported in their drinks. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-starbucks-smoked-butterscotch-drink-review/748960/8 "2016-03-15T20:20:36Z")
Yeah, weird aftertaste. I didn’t care for it, and I like most sweet drinks. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-starbucks-smoked-butterscotch-drink-review/748960/9 "2016-03-15T20:36:24Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > I tried the frozen version. It sort of reminded me of a toasted marshmallow. I should try this. Toasted Marshmallow (i.e.: “Campfire Mocha”) was my go-to at the Caribou Coffee that was across from our satellite office.