I love this stuff, it's not like the big name brands such as Barq's, Mug, or A&W, it's made using natural ingredients, and the flavors all work together to create a complex flavor.
However, just like in the coffee world, some flavors are not for everyone. I have a good friend who's a coffee connoisseur, and he gave me his favorite brew of coffee, which was the most bitter tasting drink I'd ever had in my life. Everyone's palette is different, so keep that in mind.
Also, if you read reviews online, some people complain about it not tasting like it used to several years back. I AGREE THAT THE FLAVOR IS DIFFERENT. This is likely due to the availability and cost of natural ingredients fluctuating, and the necessity to streamline things. When you market and sell a "handcrafted" soda and demand starts growing, you need to make changes to keep up.
If they do still have that "award-winning" recipe somewhere, I'd love if they would bring it back and market it at a higher price as a sort of "Brewer's reserve addition."
Anyway, I loved Virgil's when I first discovered it, and I still love it now. Give it a try, and if you don't like it, FOR THE LOVE OF PETE, please give it to someone who likes it instead of throwing it out. I read a review where someone trashed three out of four bottles because they didn't like it and it made my blood boil. I calmed down after telling myself it was probably just a bot.