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Kcal ??? Fat ??? Fat(sats) ??? Carbs ???It feels like it has been way too long since my last Hotel Chocolat review, but fear not ChocolateMission readers I had a fresh batch of samples land on my doorstep this week. Amongst my latest batch of goodies I have been sent an assortment of new and old, including some more of their latest summer releases, as well as some of their more classical offerings. Starting off the latest round of Hotel Chocolat reviews, today I will be reviewing a slab that falls somewhere in the middle of this 'new' and 'old' categorisation. This Vanilla slab has been around for a while, but in the context of the market it is in line with the summer flavour trends with the likes of Ritter Sport and Lindt recently releasing Stracciatella chocolates.
This Vanilla slab was included in a Peepster Selection Box and came in a 100.0g package that was split into two separate bars. On the cellophane wrapper the product came described as simply 'solid white chocolate with vanilla' and listed only seven ingredients. Aesthetically I don't think you could put this slab up there with the more interesting of Hotel Chocolat offerings, but the presentation was of a good standard nonetheless and the chocolate cut an imposing figure with the black dots of vanilla seeds dispersed consistently throughout each slab. Upon breaking the plastic packet open I was greeted with some strong dairy based vanilla scents which resultingly set the tone nicely for the taste.
Some of you may remember (if you do you are very sad haha!) that I have tried this Vanilla offering before from Hotel Chocolat, in a mini sized slab form from their White & Light Selection (See HERE). Given my aforementioned love for all things vanilla I'm not quite why I allowed this this large slab version to allude me for so long - having tasted it now I can only say that this was an even grander error on my part than I first thought. From the very first moments this chocolate entered my mouth the experience was sublime. Breaking the thin slabs into pieces the chocolate broke with a crisp snapping sound - always a great sign! Placing the first piece of my mouth the chocolate created a delightful cooling sensation and began it's slow, soft transitional melt. One fear I did have for this chocolate was that the vanilla seeds would roughen the soft melt of the chocolate like I have experienced with other vanilla chocolates in the past. Fortunately this was no cause for concern here - it melted like a dream and increased in flavour volume as it did so. The taste itself started off very cream based and became increasingly strong in it's glorious vanilla flavours as the melt progressed. This synergy of creamy milk and natural vanilla was nothing other than totally delicious, I just couldn't stop myself breaking bits of and devouring them. It's not often that I feel like consuming a portion size as plentiful as 50.0g of white chocolate in a single sitting, but I just couldn't help myself with this vanilla slab.
Overall this may not strike anyone as the most visually inspiring Hotel Chocolat slab, but in terms of white chocolate quality this is about as good as they come. I'm a self confessed vanilla flavour lover - everything vanilla flavoured, be it ice cream, milkshakes etc - quite simply if it is vanilla flavoured I generally like it. With that fact in mind, I hope that gives you some sort of perspective as to what sort of quality this chocolate would have to be to really impress me - and that it very much did. In terms of looks, ingredients and descriptor this isn't one of Hotel Chocolat's 'bells and whistles' offerings - apart from the pure chocolate slabs this is probably one of their plainest offerings. Pardon me for beating the same drum again, but this needs saying one last time - 'less is sometimes more'. This slab was the perfect example of that very theory, as it was perfect in it's simplicity. The combination and flow from the luxury cream flavours to the delightful tasting vanilla was sensational - it was one of the chocolates that begged you just to eat a little bit more. White chocolate fans do yourself a favour and make sure you treat yourselves to one of these slabs, it comes highly recommended.
9.0 out of 10
Posts
34 comments:
First Heavenly cakes and now Hotel Chocolate. You have been really spoilt haven't you Jim.
I'm normally one of those people that think vanilla is boring but I bet this is really nice.
This is my favourite white chocolate of all time so well done for giving a good score =)
I used to like white chocolate like Milkybar but now this has made me think its disgusting. It just doesn't match up now. I'm glad you approve.
Rxxx
White chocolate is horrible regardless who makes it. Do yourself a favour and get some real dark chocolate that has cocoa butter in it.
Funnily enough this is my parents' favourite hotel chocolat chocolate. They haven't tried any of their dark choc yet, but when I bought them a few small slabs from the shop they couldn't get enough of this vanilla flavour.
This is why Hotel Chocolat is worth paying that little bit extra for. No matter what you buy you know you are going to get superior quality, so I always think it is really safe to give away as presents.
Even if you don't like white chocolate I would defy anyone to tell me this vanilla slab isn't really tasty. Thanks for the review.
This reminds me of my white choc of choice the G7B white. Have you ever done a review of that? It's a chocolate I buy a lot of.
Dx
I generally have no interest in white chocolates but this tickles my fancy a little. The new vanilla frijj milkshake is amazing have you tried it? If you like vanilla then you should give it a go.
Nervous about tomorrow yet?
I just looked at your tag list on the side Jim ........ 82 posts about Hotel Chocolat. Lol that is totally mad. I wish I could claim to have tried nearly a hundred of their products. I have bought from them only once lol.
I would only buy this for myself because the plastic wrapping makes it look a bit cheap. Its a bit silly really because its going to be anything but cheap isn't it. It must cost about four pounds on its own. I just wish they glamed them up a bit.
I used to eat milkybars by the truckload but they are a little too sweet for me now.
If I was going to buy a white choc now I would probably go for a posher one. I reckon this has to be be pretty special.
I think this is pretty boring on it's own lol just like vanilla ice cream is.
I don't understand why anyone would choose such a plain chocolate when you can get stuff like the strawberrys and cream slabs which have something extra.
@Steven_F how do you know its 82? You didn't count them one by one did you lol. 82 is impressive isn't it.
Eughhhhhhhh why destroy white chocolate by adding vanilla. The more sugar it has in the better => => => My favourites are milkybar, dream and Terrys white chocolate orange.
This has to be the highest scoring white chocolate of all time. It sounds so delicious I wish I had some right now.
Ah Jim, wondered when you would get around to this one, did you get this as part of the large slab pack?.
Im the biggest lover of white chocolate and i have to say this so far has just blown me away, its so annoying HC dont sell single slabs on their site i have to keep going to damn Exeter to get it from there store haha.
Nice review mate.
Also yes it would be my dream to product taste cakes :D.
This does sound pretty nice, I imagine it's abit like a chocolate version of the inside of a Walls Magnum?! I like those alot. I'm abit funny with vanilla, I generally do like it but some things just dont taste very nice. Vanilla flavoured Milkshakes and Yogurts usually don't do it for me, theyre either to strong or very fake tasting.
I think they could do something with the pakaging it looks abit cheap lol
I'm going to have to stop looking at this site soon I see my waistline increading everytime I look at one of your reviews. There are just so many things you write about that I want to try. I would include this in that lot.
Wow great review Jim it sounds divine :) I had been kinda put off HC white choc with my last bar, it was the caramel cookies slab, I liked it but it seemed way too rich for me. But I love vanilla so can imagine how good this is. Also it's hard to find a nice white chocolate these days, the closest I've come is Sainsbury's Taste the difference.
@Anonymous - That's like saying why would anyone buy plain Dairy Milk or Galaxy when they can buy it with caramel/cookies/nuts etc.
Off-topic but I just looked at the requests page, and WOW at those links of new Lindt products Ana posted! The 'Waldfrucht Vanille' looks beyond amazing. Are you reviewing them Jim? Also I MUST find a way of ordering Lindt products online.
Daisy have you ever tried the Green and Black vanilla ice cream? It tastes exaclty like their white chocolates. I would recommend it.
Are you planning on reviewing more of their summer. The apple and berry ball things looks pretty cool, as do the praline ones.
I think I would like this aslong as the vanilla bits didn't create a gritty feel in the mouth. I recently had a similar chocolate from Tesco that was vanilla flavoured and the vanilla pods bits created a horrible feel. As long as that isn't the case I'm sure I would be all good with this.
@Paul no I haven't tried their ice cream yet. I just took a look on tesco it looks pretty tasty. I'm not sure mummy dearest will be willing to pay £3.99 for a tub but if you don't ask you don't get lol.
How amazing would it be if Hotel Chocolat did ice creams from their stores. Thorntons do it so I don't see why they cant.
Dx
I normally don't even contemplate white chocolate as I much prefer milk and dark.
I don't think I would buy it but I think it sounds better than normal white choc does. You normally get a taste of vanilla anyway with these things, it would be interesting to see what its like when more is made of it.
Dear Jim,
great review. It would have been nice to see HC add a subtle hint of nutmeg, cinnamon or all spice to the bar, as it is quite common to see premium white chocolate have vanilla of some guise implemented into recipes.
Be that as it may, I'm by no means complaining about extra vanilla. Sounds divine;p
I got given a slab of this once as part of a selection of four. I preferred the rocky road and caramellow chocolates that came with it, but as white chocolate goes it was delicious.
@Alan I know what you mean about vanilla flavored things, I used to only like the natural 'vanilla bean' ice cream which has little black bits just like this, I bet this is just as good. I wonder if a lot of it is artificial? I know synthetic vanilla is cheaper, ever since they passed a law against it in ice cream to help growers in our area -- the sudden difference in taste was amazing.
I would give a million pounds to have a bar of this right now. I am craving chocolate so badly. Such a bad site to look at in the circumstances.
Apologies if replies are short again. Very busy times this end guys. Best of luck to the England boys tomorrow.
Daivd
People are always say I get spoilt nowadays :D The vanilla spiced up the white chocolate brilliantly here. It was anything but boring.
Rachel
Great to hear you approve of the review. I see what you mean about Milkybar it has got less and less to my liking as time has passed.
Anon
I think you will find that this vanilla slab had a lot of cocoa butter in it aswell. Not all white chocolate does mind you.
Golden
You should treat them to some of the 85% dark chocolate. Trust me I'm sure they will love it if they like dark chocolates.
John
Indeed Hotel Chocolat is always great for gifting because you know what you are getting in terms of quality. Good to hear you like this slab aswell then.
Daisy
I assume mean Green & Blacks right. I have tried it before and I wasn't that bigger lover of it. Take a look under the Green & Blacks tab for the review.
Nigel
You're talking about the one in the England bottle right? It was a bit too sweet for my liking. I much prefer things like Muller vanilla yogurt etc.
Nervous about tomorrow!??? Errr yeah just a bit! I have all my fingers crossed.
Steven
82!? Boy thats mental huh!? The funny thing is I have plenty more coming over the next few weeks. I hope you aren't getting bored of these reviews.
Katie
The packaging is something I have been thinking about myself recently. I think there is scope for improvement in that department. Especially since they grown considerably as a company in the last year.
Mysterio
It is a very good white chocolate. Highly recommend if it is your type of thing.
Anon #2
I think I might be missing your point but not everyone likes strawberries do they. I say this all the time but sometimes simplicity is the best.
Nick
I think he used the numbers shown on the left hand sidebar.
GeekBoi
I can't say I am with you there. I'm not the biggest fan of either Cadbury Dream or Terry's white chocolate.
Kim
Why don't you some for yourself then. If you don't buy any you will never get any ... unless you have nice people to buy you presents of course :D
Matt
I did indeed but I had reviewed all the rest of them in there so I just picked this one out to review.
You could always buy online if it is a real pain travelling to their stores the whole time. I don't think you will be alone in that being your dream job :D
Alan
Walls Magnum ... superb aren't they :D Have you tried the new gold one!? What did you think?
I agree about the packaging ... it is about time they sorted something new out I guess.
Selina
Oh no please don't stop looking. Your input is always really appreciated. I hope you are just joking :D
Phil
You keep telling me to try that Sainsburys one don't you! Sorry I keep forgetting about it my fault!
I think this might be a little more to your liking if you found the one with cookies in a bit too rich.
I need to take a look at some of those requests now. I do have some new Lindt products coming up very soon! Infact I am just eating some as I type :D If I find a good source for German goods again I will be the first to fill you guys in don't worry!
PART 2
Paul
I spotted that the other day but it wasn't enough to convince me away from Ben & Jerries. There is only one king when it comes to that sort of ice cream.
James
I am indeed intending to get a review of them up very soon. They were one of the things that came requested so I will do my best.
Lauren
That was exactly what I thought about the Green & Blacks white chocolate. It really put me off it to be honest.
Daisy
Hotel Chocolat ice cream would be a fab idea.
£3.99 sounds too expensive for that ice cream. Its not as if they are known for their ice cream credentials is it.
Colin
The vanilla element does make it a bit more flavoursome than normal white chocolates. I would give it a try if you ever get the chance. I don't think you would regret it.
Chris
Definitely I would really welcome either of those spices into the mix. It's not something you see done all that much. It sounds like a good idea for a Christmas chocolate if you ask me! Lets hope Hotel Chocolat read the comments today :D
Resph
Out of all four you get in the package I personally think the Caramellow is the best. Its the ones I always buy if I am gifting Hotel Chocolat to people.
Thea
The only issue I ever have with things that have real vanilla in is if the pods make the texture of the ice cream/yogurt/chocolate rough in any way. I have experienced this with a few products in the past.
Rose
A million pounds :D do you have a million pounds :D if you do I will happily send you some in exchange
Thanks everyone - glad you guys all seemed to like this chocolate as much as I did. I'm always glad to hear your feedback so thanks for sharing.
JIM
They certainly are! :D I also like the mini versions you can buy, theyre abit smaller but still very decent. The Gold one is the one with the caramac type coating isnt it? I havent tried them yet, I must do esp since were getting some hot weather! :D
This is my favorite white chocolate of all time so well done for giving a good score!
Funnily enough this is one of the only chocolates that I actually threw away after a couple of bites, the other being a Kschocolat vanilla one!
I don't mind white chocolate, and I love HC, but this white chocolate had a cheesy aftertaste which made me go "yuck."
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