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Kcal ??? Fat ??? Fat(sats) ??? Carbs ???The number of shopping days left until Christmas are starting to dwindle so expect a bombardment of Hotel Chocolat reviews over the next week or so. This time last year, Hotel Chocolat debuted a new format of product in the form of their Hotel Chocolat Chocolate Log. That pistachio based gianduja chocolate registered and impressive 8.6 out of 10 on the ChocolateMission rating system, and earned itself the glowing praise: 'the 72% recipe was once again outstanding with it's finely balanced cocoa rich taste wonderfully complimented by the superb hazelnut paste and chopped nut ingredients ... I would certainly recommend you take a look at grabbing one of these this Christmas'. This year, the format of the product is back - though Hotel Chocolat have seen fit to release three different varieties. Today I tried the Dark & Fruity offering.
This Hotel Chocolate Yule Log Dark & Fruity came described as 'gianduja praline with orange, cranberry and morello cherry pieces', and came in a plentiful 190.0g log shape. Compared to last years, the packaging and presentation had it's positive and negatives. On the bad side, the log no longer came in a smart looking box, and was rather just contained within a plastic sheath and clear cellophane packet. On the more positive side of things, the log looked altogether more tempting, with the fruit pieces clearly evident spread throughout.
Unsealing the plastic packet, I was immediately greeted by a waft of nutty, fruity chocolate scents. These smells turned out to be highly indicative of the taste of the taste to follow, which was equally bursting at the seams full of different flavours. The method for eating one of these logs was simple - grab a dark coffee, a knife, a napkin (messy stuff to eat I tell you!) and slice away. Although the fruit content was pretty well dispersed, the fruitier looking sections were the first to be cut in to when it came to sharing amongst my family. When it came to getting their feedback on the taste, I was met with whole hearted approval all round, and unsuprisingly I totally agreed with them! For my taste the chocolate could have been a touch stronger, but it was still packed full of delicious cocoa and hazelnut flavours that grew with intensity as the soft gianduja mouth feel was created once heated in the mouth. The fruit constituents were similarly well implemented, with the candied orange pieces and morello cherries really standing out in the bites were present with their juicey sweet fruity flavours. The delivery of the sweet fruit and savoury nut experience was absolutely top notch, and made for a rich tasting chocolate that left a serious impression in the mouth for a long time after.
Overall when a product is met with such wide spread recognition for being totally delicious I can do little but award it a score that is as worthy as 8.6 out of 10. The size of this Yule Log Dark & Fruity was pretty big (190.0g) yet it only managed to survive a day in a household of four as we all couldn't resist slicing off a piece everytime we passed it on kitchen sideboard. Fundamentally it just tasted great - the gianduja was both luxuriously nutty and sinfully chocolatey, whilst all the added fruits brought an extra flavour dimension with their fresh tasting, sweet appeal. Compared to the Christmas Log last year I would have liked to have retained the pistachio nuts as well, but those looking for a nuttier alternative could always check out the Yule Log Nutty. Just like I did last year, I have no problems whatsoever recommending this to anyone that fancies it. I can promise you if you like your praline/gianduja chocolates that you wont regret it.
8.6 out of 10
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44 comments:
My god man this looks so delish. I can almost taste the chocolate look at that pic where you have it cut in half. I just want to reach in to my screen and gobble it all up. Top pictures jim.
Phew Jim!!!! I thought you might have given up on the Hotel Chocolat reviews for a while then ....... I mean it's been like what???? Three days since your last one ;) Lol don't worry Im just playing wit you. I love seeing anything that those people sell. I would love to try this it sounds great.
This wouldn't be the sort of thing I would usually relate with but I find your pictures intriguing. I think it is the fruits that are getting my attention tbh. I really like the thought of having big chunky fruit pieces in some soft chocolate. I know you disagree Jim but I think its cool not having bits of nuts in there. Everything HC seem to make has them in nowadays. Thank you for the review.
I saw this on their site ages ago but didn't believe for one minute that the real thing would turn out anything like their staged photography.
If I assume correctly that those are pictures are taken by yourself then they look almost identical to the ones they have on their site. Its so cool to see that it is actually like it is supposed to be. The bits of fruit look so nice.
Excuse me just while I drool over this :-) :-)
I put my Hotel Choco order in last week but I sadly missed one of these off. I went for some tiddly santas for my two sisters and then I bought one of the giant christmas tree things for my secret santa for one of my friends. Oh whilst I was there I bought myself some of the rum soaked raisins aswell lol. I had to treat myself :)
Rxxx
I HAVE to have one of these. Ever since I read about giadnjua for the first time ever on this site I have been obsessed with try any I can.
The only stuff I have had so far are the small gianduja chocs you can get from Tesco, I have asked for the box of gianduja chocs from hotel chocolat for xmas. I hope I get them :) Good review Jim. I can always trust you to show me something yummy first thing in the morning.
They should have kept the nuts in. I remember the pistachio one last year was out of this world. Its a real shame they just didn't keep it the same. Ho hum fruit and nut it is lol.
Why do we never get anything like this in real shops? This is genuinely completely something you can ONLY get from Hotel Chocolat, Ive not ever seen anyone try something like it, or even try and copy it.
Its annoying for me because I dont have a Hotel chocolat shop anywhere near. I will have to do without. Hmph.
Dx
What happened to the Hotel Chocolat competition you said you were going to be running? You weren't lieing were you now?
I don't like fruit that much so this isn't one for me I'm afraid. I have been looking online though and there is a chilli version which sounds a lot more my thing.
I think having one with loads of chunky nuts in would also have been a cracking idea (geddit lol!!!!). Thank you for the post Jim. Incredible photography again.
The packaging doesn't look that great. Is that just a clear plastic packet and label? What has happened to HC this year? They look like they have got sloppy in that department now.
You don't mention cost or where I can buy this!?
Fill us in with the important details next time.
I can't even remember the last time that hotel chocolate got bad score from you. This can either mean one of two things in my book
1) You just give everything a high score so you make money out of the ads they have on your website.
2) They are really good at making chocolate.
I know which one I want to believe.
I can't even remember the last time that hotel chocolate got bad score from you. This can either mean one of two things in my book
1) You just give everything a high score so you make money out of the ads they have on your website.
2) They are really good at making chocolate.
I know which one I want to believe.
WOAH I LOVE the look of this yule log. It puts the penguin crappy yule logs to shame that you showed us yesterday lol.
This is the sort of thing that I would have to hide away if I bought it for my family. I have a feeling that this would disappear in a matter of seconds rather than a few days lol. Top post mate.
Fruit and chocolate isn't something that interest me at all but I think my mum and sister would go absolutely mental for something like this.
I sorta half contemplating buying one for them but im undecided. It looks nice and everything but I think the slabs are more iconic hotel chocolat if you get me. This looks less fancy than the slabs dont you think? Which would you buy?
'gianduja praline with orange, cranberry and morello cherry pieces'
This sounds AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!
...it was still packed full of delicious cocoa and hazelnut flavours that grew with intensity as the soft gianduja mouth feel was created once heated in the mouth. The fruit constituents were similarly well implemented, with the candied orange pieces and morello cherries really standing out in the bites were present with their juicey sweet fruity flavours. The delivery of the sweet fruit and savoury nut experience was absolutely top notch, and made for a rich tasting chocolate that left a serious impression in the mouth for a long time after.
..... and it sounds like it was very much so. Lol there is a surprise ;) Eugh its so hard looking at such yummy things I want everday.
Uh oh my list of things I need to buy for christmas is just getting longer and longer. I think this would be something I would have to share with people. I bet you I would be sick of it by the time I had eaten half lol.
I might buy one to share with my family but I imagine it would be well expensive?
I bought one of these yule logs in the clean up sale that they did in January last year. Honestly it was the best thing I have ever bought from Hotel Chocolat. If you haven't ever had one of these I would really recommend it like jim has.
Ive been waiting all year for it to come back :) Im off to buy some now woop woop.
If it didn't have cherries in then I would have got one.
Cripes I haven't seen anything like this before. I love the look of it in the photos Jim. It looks pretty simple, like its just a big block of chocoalte with some dried fruit in!! Lol its not like its rocket science is it? It does look well tasty though, you have done a fine job of selling it to me btw lol
Someone buy me one of these now!
If I get one of these for xmas i will be hiding it from wandering eyes right away. This will be mine, all mine lol.
MUST resist, though if my local John Lewis ends up having this, I am not sure I can....
I love Giangduja, my favourite ice cream palor in Germany makes an Giaduja ice cream that I'd kill for... And a Gianduja log with fuits such as cherries and cranberries? That just sounds like a match made in heaven! And while some nuts might have been a nice addition, it is also quite refreshing to see a Christmas treat without added nuts.
Has anyone got a discount code for hotel chocolat? I see they are giving away a free gift with orders over a certain amount, money off would be better though. Anyone?
@anyone wondering these yule log things are eight pounds each. I think that is good value for the size of them.
This is one I will be sticking in my order. Im going to be ordering this lot later ....
christmas selection big box (parents)
dasher the reindeer (sister 10yrs old)
Tiddly reindeers (brother 5yrs old)
Yule log (to share out)
If I have enough money I might buy myself a little something aswell lol.
the best thing about Hotel Chocolat is that if you hang around long enough they give you free chocolate. Now that is a great marketing idea, as who can resist buying some once they have tasted it.
Super clear piccies today well done there =] I dont like the taste of nutty things so this isn't one I would ever think about buying for me. If I knew someone that was in to all those dried fruits and nuts malarky though it would be high up on my list seeing your high rating.
If I had a pound for everytime I had been on here in the last month or so and though 'ooooh I fancy buying that' I would probably still be nowhere near being able to afford it all LOL =D Your reviews have been amazing recently and the pictures even better. Well done for creating mass envy amongst us all Jim.
Jim you're so lucky getting to try all these luxury chocolates on a regular basis :) This looks absolutely lovely. It sounds like part of the fun is slicing bits off, although I'd probably just slice it in half and eat that haha.
I probably won't be choosing this when I go to HC though, they have so many products I want to try that it'll have to wait its turn.
@Nick - some of HC's photography is hilarious, they used to do some with a glammed-up woman seductively eating chocolate. They must have had a few complaints as they've toned it down a bit recently.
I have been doing some serious number crunching and I think I can work one of these in to my HC budget :) It looks so nice I might even swap it out for my christmas wreathe and get two of these instead. The one I get better be as nice as the one in your photos. They couldn't have put more fruit in if they tried.
Whilst we are on the topic of all things beginning with the letters HC do we get a Heavenly Cakes review soon? Im desperate to see what you have been trying out.
The purist in me wants to say that any creaction labeled "yule log" should at least visually resemble a rolled cake. That being said, dark chocolalte praline with cranberry, cherry, and orange isn't something I'm going to turn down, especially not from Hotel Chocolat. Wish they'd found a different name, though. Thanks for the review.
The purist in me believes that anything referred to a "yule log" ought to at least visually resemble a rolled cake. That being said, dark chocolate praline with cranberry, orange, and cherry, especially from Hotel Chocolat, sounds delicious. Thanks for the review.
This looks so tasty. I can imagine it would be so amazing with a drop of port and some cheese and biscuits. I think I will be buying one for a dinner party I will be having on Christmas eve. I dont want to waste it on people that wont appreciate it though.
Thank you fans. I did the photos for this one.
I would add, as somebody who gets to taste some of chocolates, Hotel Chocolat is the brand we always look forward to. Some of the taste combinations are better than others, but the quality of the chocolate itself is the best. I'd score them highly (almost) every time.
(My top score goes to the dark chocolate with crystallised ginger.)
This Yule Log looks delicious, it's something else from HC I'd feel guilty about cutting into! If I had my way, I'd just have a cabinet full of HC chocolates on display, looking all pretty. I'm guessing you have reviews for the other 2 logs awaiting us? I had my 1st Hotel Chocolat store experience in Manchester yesterday though somehow I managed to miss these. I was in heaven in the store and it was a real drag to leave without buying anything (with trains from Glasgow to Aberdeen being cancelled left, right and center and only just making it down in the 1st place after 12hrs and 5 different trains with numerous issues I decided I had to keep all my pennies incase of emergency). Next time however, I won't be leaving empty handed!
Thanks for the review, it's been a pleasure to read as always. I'm away back to re-read the ones I've not managed to comment on. I did read them to keep my occupied on my journeys but can't post comments from my phone.
Hi All,
There have been some really nice comments from you guys today :D You must all be getting in the Christmas spirit all of a sudden. Thanks so much, it's always nice hearing from you.
Ben / Nick / Andrew / Joel / Susan - Re: Photography
Again I must pass on my thanks to my old man. He did all the photography for the review today infact. I wasn't even there to see him do it this time. I don't think there have ever been as many comments about the photos - he must be better at it than me :D
David - Re: Phew Jim!!!! I thought you might have given up on the Hotel Chocolat reviews for a while then ....... I mean it's been like what???? Three days since your last one ;)
Haha There are more coming aswell :D
Golden - Re: I know you disagree Jim but I think its cool not having bits of nuts in there. Everything HC seem to make has them in nowadays.
I think it would have been better with some chunky nuts in, but hey it was still nice nonetheless.
Rachel - I put my Hotel Choco order in last week but I sadly missed one of these off. I went for some tiddly santas for my two sisters and then I bought one of the giant christmas tree things for my secret santa for one of my friends. Oh whilst I was there I bought myself some of the rum soaked raisins aswell lol. I had to treat myself
Good selection there. I hope my reviews can claim some of the inspiration behind those purchases.
Steven - Re: They should have kept the nuts in. I remember the pistachio one last year was out of this world. Its a real shame they just didn't keep it the same.
I think it's good that they are constantly trying to improve their products.
Daisy - Re: Why do we never get anything like this in real shops? This is genuinely completely something you can ONLY get from Hotel Chocolat
That is what makes them unique and different from other brands. You have to hand it to them.
Anon - Re: What happened to the Hotel Chocolat competition you said you were going to be running? You weren't lieing were you now?
Let me see what I can do. I'm sorry but I have been so busy lately. I can't promise anything.
Shuan - Re: The packaging doesn't look that great. Is that just a clear plastic packet and label? What has happened to HC this year?
Hey its not that bad at all. I wouldn't let it put you off thats for sure.
Robet - Re: You don't mention cost or where I can buy this!?
Haha is this a joke? You can buy it from Hotel Chocolat :S haha! It costs £8.00 online.
Mysterion - Re: I can't even remember the last time that hotel chocolate got bad score from you. This can either mean one of two things in my book
1) You just give everything a high score so you make money out of the ads they have on your website.
2) They are really good at making chocolate.
I know which one I want to believe.
Believe what you want. I don't see too many other people saying I'm talking rubbish - do you?
James - Re: WOAH I LOVE the look of this yule log. It puts the penguin crappy yule logs to shame that you showed us yesterday lol.
Indeed it does.
Gary - Re: This looks less fancy than the slabs dont you think? Which would you buy?
Thats like asking if you want a Ferrari or a Porsche :D haha ok not quite, but you get my gist.
Katie - Re: Eugh its so hard looking at such yummy things I want everday.
Sorry - but its better I make sure they appeal rather than just look rubbish :D I dont think the site would work very well otherwise.
Darren - Re: I might buy one to share with my family but I imagine it would be well expensive?
Just £8.00 will put a smile on the faces of your entire family I'm sure. Go on treat them :D
Selina - Re: I bought one of these yule logs in the clean up sale that they did in January last year.
I can't see them lasting until the sale day this year. I think they might have sold out of one of the flavours already.
Joel - Re: you have done a fine job of selling it to me btw
I'm genuinely not trying to sell you guys anything. I hope you trust my reviews enough to realise this.
Kev - Re: If I get one of these for xmas i will be hiding it from wandering eyes right away. This will be mine, all mine lol.
Thats not very in the festive spirit now is it :D
Anne - Re: Your Comment
Gianduja ice cream sounds splendid. By the sounds of things I think you should be going to that John Lewis and treating yourself. This Yule Log is one of my tips of the year for Christmas goodies.
Ryan - Re: Has anyone got a discount code for hotel chocolat? I see they are giving away a free gift with orders over a certain amount, money off would be better though. Anyone?
Sorry chap. Not this year I'm afraid. Lets be honest, HC don't need to discount do they!? It wouldn't make sense to discount something they know they will sell anyway.
Simon - Re: Your Comment
Well that all sounds great. Make sure you treat yourself aswell. We should all be doing so at this time of year.
Natasha - Re: the best thing about Hotel Chocolat is that if you hang around long enough they give you free chocolate. Now that is a great marketing idea
They are very kind with their samples aren't they. The people in their shops are always very friendly I find.
Phil - Re: Your Comment
I say bring back the cheesey photos with the women draped all over the chocolate :D
Indeed you are right about half the fun being the slicing. If you are sharing it with other people it's always funny seeing how everyone slices off bigger and bigger chunks each time haha :D Make sure you get at the fruity bits first :D
Paul - Re: I have been doing some serious number crunching and I think I can work one of these in to my HC budget
Good to hear you have planned ahead chap :D break the bank!!!
JK - Re: Whilst we are on the topic of all things beginning with the letters HC do we get a Heavenly Cakes review soon?
Watch.this.space .... either that or make sure you visit the site on Saturday.
Victoria - Re: Yule Log name
The name isn't best suited I agree. It's hard to pay too much attention to the name when the chocolate is that good mind you :D
Linda - Re: This looks so tasty. I can imagine it would be so amazing with a drop of port and some cheese and biscuits.
This sounds like an entirely sensible plan to me :D I think you will really enjoy it.
Thanks again for all the nice comments you have left today. Hopefully I am giving you all some handy points with your Christmas shopping this year. Bits n Bobs tomorrow folks!!!
JIM
Yes, I will pay John Lewis a visit on Saturday and hope they have it. Unfortunately they always only stock very little of the HC range. :( But fingers crossed...
Weren't you looking for the Mr Kippling rum and raisin slices the other day? Well I hate to say it, since you don't seem to be fond of Lidl (but yes, I understand your point about the not so nice atmosphere in UK Lidl stores...), Lidl sells the rum and raisin slices as well as Christmas pudding and cake slices. Just saying. ;-)
@Ryan Are you signed up with them? I did and they sent me a 'promotional code'.
@colin (old man) The photography you do is amazing you have real talent. Jim you should get him to do it more often lol. I hope he pays you well with chocolates Colin. It looks like he gets enough of them :] Thanks for the photos.
I agree with Golden, it's nice to have a choice. I prefer fruit pieces instead of nut pieces (unless we're talking pecans or walnuts :D ) - orange, cranberry and morello cherry all sound great to me, a lot better than pistachio :)
Anne - I actually managed to find them in Sainsburys today! Good news eh :D
Nick - Oh god please don't tell him that :D I will never hear the end of it :D Haha he does do a splended job doesn't he.
Ana - It was a wonderful mixture of different fruits. If you like that sort of thing I would highly advise this Yule Log.
JIM
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