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Offerings today come from Fox's Biscuits, McVitie's and a certain celebrity chef who has his own line of chocolate wafer bars. Once again your thoughts and requests are most welcome so please share them.
McVitie's Gold - Kcal 115 Fat 5.5g Fat(sats) 4.7g Carbs 11.5g
'Crunchy biscuit bar with a caramel flavour coating'
If the rules were strict on this site these McVitie's Gold bars wouldn't actually be worthy of a ChocolateMission review, as they don't actually contain any cocoa content. Not to be perturbed by this, I was still happy letting them have their 5 minutes in the spotlight - especially when I found them on a 'better than half price' 85p deal in my local Tesco :D In terms of packaging and presentation I have always liked the look of Gold bars. The wrappers are very typical McVitie's, but they are nicely in keeping with the premise of the product, whilst the bars are also suitably decorated with the Gold logo placed on top. For those with no experience of these McVitie's Gold, I can quickly inform you they serve up one hell of a sugar rush. Taste wise the caramel flavour exterior sets a milky taste, though it is soon dominated by the sugar content which is laden in both the coating and inner biscuit. As the years pass I seem to appreciate Gold bars less and less. Like Caramac, the occasional bar is fine but I don't they aren't a product I would suggest you buy regularly.
6.8 out of 10
Fox's Echo Mint - Kcal 126 Fat 6.6g Fat(sats) 4.0g Carbs 12.1g
'Mint chocolate with a crunchy biscuit base'
After reviewing the original milk chocolate variant in my first B&Bs chocolate biscuit reviews there was little chance I was going to get away without reviewing the mint variant. After a little bit of searching of my local supermarkets I was finally able to find a pack of all places in my local Waitrose (I thought they would have been way to high brow for Echos!), where £1 of my money bought me an 8 bar multipack. Packaging wise they looked almost identical to the original variant apart from the implementation of a green secondary colour as opposed to the normal blue. The bars themselves similarly looked little different aside from the slight tinge of green in the upper filling portion of the product. Since I had some of the original Echo bars knocking around I decided to do a side-by-side comparison, and there was a clear winner. The supposed 'mint flavoured' centre of these bars were poor, and came across as mild toothpaste as opposed to the fresh, real tasting peppermint I was hoping for. The Mint bars retained many of the good things about the originals, but the actual mint element was frankly pretty bad! My conclusion is that Fox's Echo Mint are hard to find for a reason ... because no one wants to buy them. If you want my advice I say just stick with the originals if Echo bars are your thing.
6.2 out of 10
Ainsley Harriott Caramel Delight Bars - Kcal 122 Fat 6.0g Fat(sats) 4.6g Carbs 15.3g
'Crisp wafer with chocolate flavour filling, caramel topping and milk chocolate chips, coated in Belgian milk chocolate'
After reviewing the McVitie's Taxi last month, it was suggested that I give Ainsley's Caramel Delight bars a try. After a quick search in Waitrose I found a seven bar multipack for the reasonable price of 99p. Now, If there was ever an innovator of celeb endorsed foods I think Mr Ainsley Harriott would be in with a great shout of being one of the first to market. Despite seeing this trend grow across several of different food categories in the last few years (David Beckham even has a range of ready meals you know!!), Mr Harritott remains one of the only celebs to have his own brand of chocolate bar offerings, and from what I can remember they have been around for quite some time. As you will see from his product description, Ainsley thinks a lot of his Caramel Delight bars :D - having now tasted them for myself I would do little to disagree with the man! The Belgian chocolate coating had a nice flavour depth, and the taste was noticeably smoother in it's sweet cocoa flavour delivery compared to the standard of chocolate you get from bars like Taxis and Drifters etc. Sat below, the wafer offered a similar experience to a Kit Kat, with the malty wheat flavours positively enhancing the experience. Unfortunately I can't be quite so positive about the caramel layer, which I felt was pretty lacklustre in terms of it's impact on the taste. Although the caramel didn't quite deliver in line with the other constituents, I still on the whole enjoyed these bars, and I would probably buy them again in the future. If you are looking for a wafer based biscuit bar that has superior chocolate to the average market offering this is one well worth a look at.
7.7 out of 10
Posts
38 comments:
Man I haven't seen mint echos for years now. I wasn't even sure that they still made them.
I remember that they used to be really good but the last few times I had them they had taken a massive turn for the worse.
Those Ainsley bars are the best!!! Seriously I think they are amazing, I'm always begging my mum to buy them when she goes shopping. I heard some awful news about them being stopped being made. Please tell me it's not true.
Rxxx
I like the normal echos but I can't say I'm a fan of the mint ones. They look nice but I often find they don't taste of mint at all.
I don't really like gold bars either I'm afraid. I hate caramac and white chocolate so that sort of thing isn't something I enjoy ever.
I've never tried the AH chocolates.
Thanks for the reviews.
It's good to see you rate the delight bars highly Jim I think they are pretty good myself. I struggle to find them in the shops nowadays though, I haven't been able to buy them for quite a long time :(
If someone can say where you can buy the mint Echo bars please say.
They are an old time favourite of mine.
I do like Gold bars but I see what you mean about them being well sickly. I can only eat a few of them from the packet before I get bored of the taste. They should consider selling them as single bars in my opinion.
I like your photo of the Echo Mint. Lol you make it look loads nicer than it actually is. I found myself thinking I fancy one but then I remembered I don't like them lol.
My ratings would be
Gold - 4/10
Echo Mint - 7/10
AHCB - 8/10
The Ainsley bars are by far the best. Great reviews Jim. I proper love these multiple ones.
I've not tried those ones made by that chef but I used to eat the mint flavoured echos loads. Like a few people have said I don't see them much anymore. They have made the packaging look loads nicer in the last few years. They deserve credit for that.
Yuck Gold bars are the so bad how did you give them anything over 3?
Seriously I can't stand them!!!! They taste like sugar and nothing else. The taste of them sends shivers down my spine.
I got a lot of love for the normal Echo bars but never for the minty ones. I dunno what it is about them because I like mint flavoured things, I just don't think they make the most of the mint bit I don't think.
Gold bars are ok but I wouldn't ever choose them over a twix or anything.
Gold bars remind me a little of the caramac kit kats that they used to make. They were loads better than these gold bars but they stopped producing them AGGGGGGES ago.
I've never seen or heard of the ainsley bars but they sound as if they are posher versions of drifters which can't be a bad thing.
Thanks for reviewing the Ainsley Harriott chocolate bars Jim I told you that you would like them ;)
I would have given them a bit of a higher mark, I always stick them in the fridge for a bit before I eat them so they are extra chewy and extra crunchy. I could go for one right now lol.
Dx
Those Gold bars are like crack man. Once you have one you wont be able to stop. 9 / 10 in my book.
Hi Jim,
I don't like the gold bars or the mint echos but I share your love for the ainsley harriott wafers. Is it just Waitrose that sells them now? They used to do them in sainsburys but have since stopped?
Thanks for the reviews.
Paul
Did you see all that stuff in the papers about Rooney Jim? What do you think of it all?
I like Mint Echos :) I bought some just this weekend. I will be eating my first one today so I will let you know if I think review does them justice.
For the first time ever I think you have managed to do a multi review where I haven't tried any of them lol how have you managed to do that?
Out of all of them the one I would most want to try are the mint echos. Back in the day I used to love getting echos in my school lunch.
Those mcvities gold bars deserved better than you have rated them here Jim.
They are totally unlike anything else you can buy, surly that earns them some brownie points doesn't it?
There are loads of things like those bars made by that tv guy.
7.7 for Ainsley Harriott? Don't make me laugh they are like a hundred times better than any chocolate bar of it's kind. I'm not saying they are the best chocolate bar in the world but they blow things like the Kit Kat to pieces.
It's not as if they are that much more expensive either. The last time I bought them they only cost just over £1. Get your head screwed on Jim.
Jim, if you need ideas of things to review why not try viscounts, tunnocks snowballs, harvest chewy bars, bahlsen biscuits ....... if I can think of any more I will let you know. I think you said you were looking for suggestions :) I thought that might help you.
@Graeme I think you are right about single gold bars. They are never something I fancy buying in big packs but one or two now and then would be nice.
Ever since I started reading this site I have taken notice of how things are described on their wrappes more. It's amazing how many things you see get described as 'chocolate flavoured' or 'caramel flavoured' like those gold bars. It's a pretty clear indicator that they aren't made with decent ingredients. Thanks for the reviews.
Gold - 3.5/10
Echo - 5/10
Ainsley Bars - N/a
I can't say anything about those ainsley bars apart from they look like my sort of thing.
Both the gold and echos aren't a favourite of mine I'm afraid. I would rather just have something like a kit kat on both accounts.
Phew that was a lot of reading. I agree about the Gold bars being too sweet but I'm not with you about the mint echos they are gorgeous. The trick with mint echos is to store them in the fridge as that makes the mint bits feel really cool and the filling bit tastes loads more refreshing.
Well i've had all these before hehe I don't buy any of them very often but I don't mind Gold bars but always felt theyd be fab with real Caramac on them.
Mint Echo's have been altered because the mint looks completely washed out. It used to look more like a mint aero and taste like one aswell, so I don't klnow what theyve done to it lol Echos themselves arent a favourite but the mint (and orange when they still made them) were always far better than the original.
I also like AH bars but never see them now :( The original version are also very nice. They are exactly like Montana bars - you should have a look at those and make a comparison :)
Yay you reviewed the Gold bars :-) I think they deserved a higher score than you gave them. Whats not to love? Caramel and biscuit :-) it's a simple yet effective blend of two fantastic things.
Noooo Jim how could you be so mean about the Gold bars? They are well lush.
Now if there was ever a biscuit which brings back memories from my childhood, it's the Gold Bar. I always used to have at least 1 when visiting my granda and would have given it a 10/10. Now I've grown up though, I agree about the sweetness. Way too sweet for me these days and I can see why the score is as low as it is.
I'd forgotten Echo's exist and had even forgotten you'd previously reviewed one! As for Ainsley's biscuits, I've never tried anything from his range but I'll certainly keep an eye out for them from now on. Thanks for the review
The mint flavoured Echo are amazing but no one sells them any longer.
Can anyone remember the orange flavoured Echo they used to make? They used to be my faves but they got cut out a long time ago.
@James I see echos all the time, in Sainsburys or othershops. I remember the orange Echo's, I don't buy Echos very often but Orange is one of my favourite chocolate flavours.. sadly it seems to be on the flavour that is cut all the time. Look at orange aeros :( It's mad. they all keep the mint but cut the orange lol
Mint Echo = 9/10 I love these so much. You can buy them in packs of five for £1 from poundland.
Gold Bars = 1/10 I detest these so much. Everytime I go to taste one I think it's going to taste of white chocolate but it disappoints me.
Thought you'd like to see this:
http://www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com/biscuits/media/mintecho.jpg
I googled Mint ecvho and found a cross section the way they used to be lol it may be the light but they look very different - this is how I know them :)
Everyone
Rather than rinse repeat what I say to you all over and over again I've decided to start answering comments like this now :D Where you ask specific questions I'm happy to answer then below of course.
I'm glad to see everyone has largely enjoyed the reviews today despite some disagrements when it comes to my scoring (which is always welcome of course!!!)
I do like doing these BnB posts so if you have any suggestions for futures ones be sure to leave me a list of products you have suggested.
Rachel - I haven't heard anything about Ainsley's bars being taken out of production!? I will do a quick google search this evening for you though.
Anon - You can buy them in Asda and Tesco judging by their websies. Perhaps they only stock them in the bigger stores.
Graeme - This is a problem with the gold bars. By the time you finish the pack having one each day you often find yourself a bit sick of them.
Peter - I like the packaging to. Shame about the product though haha.
Matt - All scores are subjective. Why not leave your own score next time.
Daisy - A few people requested the Ainsley bars but yes thanks for the sugestion. Unless it's dark chocolate I always stick these sort of products in the fridge :D Nice tip.
Paul - Indeed I bought them in Waitrose. I have no idea if anyone else sells them presently.
Nigel - It's best I not share my thoughts about Mr Rooney on a family site. Haha suffice to say I think an awful lot less of him as a person after the latest revelations.
Golden - Not any of them? Wow I'm surprised to hear that. I thought these were pretty popular products to be honest. Especially the Gold bars.
Harry - Being unique is great, but if there are no imitators doesn't that often suggest that other companies haven't see fit to try copy!? :D I get the point you are making though.
Anon2 - One hundred times better? Haha maybe not. As I said feel free to leave your own score next time.
David - Nice suggestions chap. They have been noted for future reviews, much appreciated.
Isobel - A lot of reading? Hmm I hope that was a good thing. I tried to keep them all as brief as possible.
Alan - Are there are another variety of AH bars then? I swar I've never seen any apart from the caramel delight bars. Also what is a Montana bar??? Theres one I've never heard of :D
Angel - Just my subjective opinion angel. Welcome to the site btw I think that was your first comment correct?
Ria - I have found that with a few products now :D Some of them are obviously just best left as memories in the past I think. Milkybar is a fine example of that for me.
James - I have no recollection of the orange Echos myself sorry. They aren't the sort of thing I would have requested my mum to buy mind you.
Alan - You are right out of all of them the orange flavoured products always seem the first ones to go. I'm sure fans of the Kit Kat oranges are shaking in their boots haha! Saying that they would still have the Penguin and Club orange biscuits to choose from if they did.
Thanks for the comments today everyone. I hope you don't mind me responding in this manner from now on. As I said it saves me repeating myself over and over! Believe me I do read each and every one of them still.
Thanks
JIM
Yay I like Bits & Bobs reviews :)
It's a while since I've had a Gold bar but they're nice now and again as you say. They're damn unhealthy though.
I've never liked Echo bars much. Also I've never wanted to try an Ainsley Harriot bar, I find it puzzling why they've used his name to sell chocolate wafers to be honest. I have some of his couscous packet peals in my cupboard, which I think fits his image better.
Btw Jim, I only found out today that I had won a pack of the Chocolate Weetabix :) Was a nice surprise, thanks for running the competition.
Yeah they make non caramel ones aswell, the same as the caramel but without it lol the Montana bar is made by Rivington's and has been around donkeys years (its named after the mountains in Montana, hence the choc chips on top!)- i found it on the web, and you might be interested to see Rivingtons also make - Ainsley Harriots bars! lol
http://www.rivifoods.com/montana.html
I have noticed that Ainsley seems to always be in stock in Home Bargains - quite far removed from Waitrose! (I am not a proud person - I shop in both! ;) )
uwdgwwiyuenjyuem, nail fungus treatment, kUARwIh.
The gold bar is the most beautifullest choclate your going to get, the thick layer of choclate over the crispy biscuit will leave a sweet smooth flavour in your mouth would deffo reccomend!!
Gold bars are minimum 8. Have you already rated timtams from Australia?
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