I wrote Coca Cola about 8 years ago suggesting they sell sugar Coke all year at a higher price. I assume the sugar is more expensive and that is why they don’t use it. I argued that HFCS is under fire right now as being very bad for your health. Even Dr. Oz was getting into the lecture, and he reaches a large audience, especially people who are likely to drink soda. Mind you, I personally don’t think HFCS is any worse than sugar for your health, but a lot of people do. My whole thing was Coke lovers would get their Coke back. The flavor; their old addiction. I grew up in a cocaholic household. Fiercely loyal to the brand. I quit caffeine about 15 years ago, so I rarely drink the stuff now, but I still love it when I cheat and have on, especially when the ratio is a little off and it is a little sweeter.
If the actual local water matters for the flavor, then that might partly explain why NY Coke tasted so good when I was little, and why FL Coke will never taste like that.