&f=Calibri-Bold&ts=14&tc=d4d4cc&it=gif&c=round&bgt=gradient&bgc=ad6807&ebgc=d98807&be=on&w=125&h=30){kind=small}
Attention boys and girls! Next Sunday (April 3rd) is Mothers Day so we today have a special edition Hotel Chocolat Monday looking at the a very nice little option you may wish to gift.Indeed, the kind folk at Hotel Chocolat sent me this 'The Sleekster All About Mum Selection' a few weeks ago, so this year I have been well prepared much earlier than normal :D This All About Mum collection contained 28 separate chocolates and came described as being 'created especially for mum to enjoy with their feet up - with uplifting fruit recipes, silky smooth cream truffles and melt-away pralines'. Before anyone ask, yes of course I did share these with my own mother - you may have noticed how her views make it in to pretty much all my Hotel Chocolat reviews anyway.
As you can see from my photo above, this was packaged in the traditional Hotel Chocolat Sleekster style. The gold coloured box and inner chocolates were aesthetically nice on the eye, whilst the inner menu displaying the thirteen different chocolates was accurate which is more than can be said for some of the previous Sleekster boxes I had reviewed before.
Many of the pieces were ones that I had reviewed in previous boxes, with many of them being sourced from the Valentines Day collection boxes. Below are my thoughts on each of the pieces.
The four hearts above were all featured in my review of the Hotel Chocolat Melting Hearts H-Box Selection (See HERE). Going from left-to-right, back-to-front, you may wish to be reminded that these pieces achieved the following ratings. Liquid Caramel - Very Good, Peanut Passion - Superb, Strawberry Love - Superb and lastly Pistachio Praline - Superb. We also managed to eat both Banana Split pieces before I could get a snap of one of them :D Before you panic I reviewed the exact same chocolate HERE - Very Good.
Isabelle - Previously reviewed in Hotel Chocolat The Sleekster Everything Selection (See HERE) - SuperbBlueberry Truffle - My mother absolutely loves blueberries and you may remember she was a real fan of the same sort of truffle featured in the 'Quail Egg' format in my Hotel Chocolat last week (See HERE). Once again she she absolutely loved it in this truffle form, and described the taste as a beautiful concoction of cream and wildberry fruits. Superb.
Caramel Sweetheart - Previously reviewed back in January 2009 (See HERE). I still didn't think much of these pieces. The promised touch of cherry didn't come through in the taste of the chocolate, whilst the cocoa crispies and chopped hazelnuts upset the texture of the melt. By Hotel Chocolat standards I still thought these were pretty sub-standard. Poor.A Kiss For Mothers Day - Well, what can I say about this piece? The dark chocolate and exterior and dark chocolate ganache filling made for a delicious cocoa rich taste, however there were a few notable mentions about the design of the chocolate. A pair of lips for mothers day? Hmmm ... we thought it was a little odd. Good.
Mother of Pearl - We all thought this was a beautiful looking chocolate. It's marble finish and smooth hazelnut praline filling reminded us all of Guylian Seashell chocolates, just with far better milk chocolate, with the house 40% recipe establishing a creamy sweet cocoa taste. Superb.Love-Me-Do - This was one of the liqueur chocolate truffles in the selection and combined an exterior dark chocolate shell with a Armagnac brandy ganache. Not being a spirits fan I wasn't the best person to try this one so I left it to my parents who described it as a well balanced, rich tasting chocolate. They also loved the mouth warming sensation it created. Very Good.
Bakewell Tart - This was a new piece that sounded very exciting to me,. so I latched in to it right away despite its cherry brand and Amaretto liqueur content. This chocolate was visually nice on the eye with it's cream coloured centre, and it also tasted delicious with it's creamy, sweet alcohol noted flavours. Most positively both the cherry and the nut element of the Bakewell dessert came though in what was a very authentic taste. Very Good.Champagne Truffle - This was a piece that silly had to be in this selection, and Hotel Chocolat didn't let us down. My mother is a real fan of champagne and she just loved the Marc de Champagne noted cream ganache centre and said it was a near perfect match for the delicious 40% milk chocolate outer shell. She ate both of them before I could get one :D Superb.
Overall this was a very accomplished selection of chocolates and should be one that you should seriosuly be considering in your mind for gifting if chocolates are your choice of present this year. Apart from the questionable lips design, we all thought the collection was well designed and the pieces offered great variety in the type of fillings included. As you can determine by the ratings, the only disappointment for me was the inclusion of the Caramel Sweethearts. Those aside there are some really cracking chocolates on offer here - the Blueberry Truffle, Liquid Caramel and Isabelle pieces being the ones that spring to mind first. As I said above, I would highly recommend this Hotel Chocolat The Sleekster All About Mum Selection as a fine option for Mothers day this year.
8.7 out of 10
Posts
62 comments:
These selection box reviews you do are easily the best when it comes to the photography. You must take hours taking pictures of them all. Do you get sent two boxes btw? One to take photos of and one to eat?
Good idea doing this one earlier in the week. I usually forget about these things until the last minute but I should be well prepared this year. Thanks Jim.
That florentine topped chocolate wont be as good as the ones I made this weekend ;-P I put cherries and orange bits in mine making them xtra special. If you care to dispute I will send some along for you to try - no joke.
Maggs
I still find it amazing that you are able to do these Hotel Chocolat reviews every week. Have you not tried near enough everything they have made now? I know they have added a fewbits and pieces but ever since you did the hot chocolates you must be close to having done 90% of what they do.
Rxxx
This looks really great but I wouldn't usually spend this much on mothers day and I think my mum would probably get cross with me for spending so much. What she doesn't realise is that it is my own 'cunning' excuse to buy some more hotel chocolat. Lol I often buy the things I fancy trying so I can kill two birds with one stone :) Cheeky but true.
I expect some people are going to be criticising HC for keeping a lot of the same chocs from that valentines box but I don't see any problem with it. All of them rated well previously so theres no point changing them.
Before the weekend I will see what Thorntons are up to but this is looking likely. Cheers Jim. Always good to see any sort of Hotel Chocolat review.
Jim do you really not rate the caramel sweethearts? I have to say I'm surprised by that. I know you really like caramel so I would have put you down for liking them one of the most.
I think the variety in the kind of chocolates is good but I would have liked their to have a been one of their chocolate orange truffles. My mums favourite chocs are chocolate oranges so I know she would appreciate at least one of them in there. You can't have it all I guess.
Well this is my mothers day gift sorted. Thanks a bunch Jim.
I do think mothers day is all just another big con to get money out of us but I would be happy to give my mum this as it looks worth the money. A lot of the chocolates you see made especially for days like this are just v cheap looking and are over inflated in price. Trust Hotel Chocolat to put something classy together. Thank you for the brill review.
Jim have you any alternative suggestions for someone looking to go a little smaller scale than this?
The cheeky buggers have put the price up on these boxes. They used to only be £17.50 but not they are £20. Its amazing how much differnt it mkaes the price feel isn't it? £20 is bordering on too expensive to jusitfy for a box of chocolate in my opinion, thats no matter how good they are.
Whats with the pink coloured graph again :P
I know its mothers day but I prefer the blue ones. Sorry thats just me being picky.
I think the hotel chocolat reviews are always the best cause we get the extra special photos. Some of these look so nice I want to lick my laptop screen lol.
Apart from the rip off guylian one they look like they deserve another pat on the back here. Nice one HC.
Does anyone else think that Hotel Chocolat should try giving their boxed chocolates some sort of theme each?
I think branding them all under 'The Sleekster *INSERT HOLIDAY NAME HERE* Collection' is a bit boring. I would like to see them try a little harder making them more individual. I fully expect everyone just to tell me to shut up lol.
Is the Isabelle the great truffle they have ever made? Looks like it to me.
The most intriguing has to be that Bakewell Tart one.
I know loads of other brands have done it, but it would be amazing to see what Hotel Choc could do with a box of chocolates that are all themed on our favourite desserts. The best one I've tried so far is the Lindt Petits Desserts. Its absolutely fabulous but I think Hotel Choc could give them a run for it's money.
When are you gonna be starting the HC easter reviews? Dont keep us waiting much longer mate. I wanna get ordering in the next couple of days.
Naughty naughty Jim. Not like you to eat a chocolate without taking a photo of it! I would have liked to have seen what a banana split chocolate looked like :P
@Lauren lol bordering on too expensive? Are you kidding me! They were way too expensive when they were the old price.
This is what I was trying to say to Jim the other day. Would you really pay 3 times the cost just because it has a hotel chocolat logo on it? I sure wouldn't.
I think I would have a little difficulty getting these past my partner ......... my mother passed away 8 years ago :-) I think he would be able to tell they were for me if I came home with these.
Lol jim you should have put a warning on this review saying look away if you get upset with Hotel Chocolat scoring well.
It was pretty blatant it was going to do well as soon as I saw the photos though. I love the look of the hearts they do all look well class. I don't get your point about the lips though? Everyone should lay a smacker on the cheek of their mum this Sunday :)
Why thank you Jim. I was just awaiting your confirmation these were sound as a pound. A box of these + a bunch of flowers. Easy peasy mothers day this year ;) What more can I ask for.
Mother of Pearl what a box of chocolates!!!! GEDDITT =) =)
Hi Jim I posted this at the weekend but you didn't respond. Have you sorted out an easter competition with hotel chocolat yet?
Hmm that kiss for mothers day chocolate is a bit on the weird side. They probs just had too many left over from valentines day or something. Its kinda understandable that they would try get rid of them in this mothers day box.
Hey J
Enjoy the england game at the weekend? I couldn't help but wish it was just a premiership weekend the whole time. I thought the game was sooooo boring. This friendly tomorrow is a joke. The poor people that paid all that money to see it don't even get to see the big name players. Bloody Capello.
This is another wicked review mate. I hadn't even thought about mothers day yet. I've seen all the fanfare in the stores but I haven't bought anything. These chocs will do nicely.
Cheers
N
I would of thought it would have made sense to make that oyster looking one a champagne flavoured truffle. Isn't it traditional to eat champagne and oysters together?! Just a thought.
Omgz I need to nom on one of those Bakewell Tart chocs right now!!!!!!
My favourite cake imitated by hotel chocolate is something I need to get down with.
Woah the Caramel Sweethearts copped it. Lol I just read the proper review on it and I see what you mean. HC are known for their chocolate so they should just stick to it. Oh well at least all the others in the box get well good scores.
These looks awesome but I don't think my mum would be that pleased if she found out I spent that much on a box of chocolates for her. Its nice pampering ya mam on mothers day but at the end of things these aren't the sort of times where its sensible splashing twenty pounds of a box of chocolates. God that makes me sound tight.
Dx
Sorry guys but im with Rich on this one. Ive not ever seen even hotel chocolat price one up at Twenty notes before. That is pretty ridiculous. Theres expensive and then there is just taking the piss.
Mmmm there are so many i like the sound of here that i wouldnt have the slightest clue where to start with it.
That Isabelle chocolate does look very special. The florentine canapes they do are amazing enough but the extra praline in the middle just sounds gorgeous.
All of these sleekster collections are always so good. They are a bit pricey but they are worth it for times when a special gift is needed.
As per usual there are some really gorgeous looking chocolates amongst your brill photos. The ones with my name on are the white chocolate and strawberry heart and that one with the florentine on top (Isabelle). I think they all look great to be honest though.
I do find the colour of that one ever so slightly disturbing but I bet it tastes incredible. Its one of those cases where I would have to shut my eyes when I eat it LOL.
Thank You for another Hotel Chocolat Monday. They always make me smile.
God we have some tight fisted sons and daughters on here. There is only one mothers day a years people.
@Golden I think you're 100% right mate. It would be great to see them put some more thought into to some themes. I know Thorntons dont make the best chocolate but I like the way they always put some thought into each chocolate box they make. All of them seem to have a kinda theme to them whether it be Italian or desserts etc.
I must be an awful son because I've never bought anything more than a card for my mum before. I think she would think it excessive if I bought her one of these all of a sudden.
Most of these sound lovely and I'm especially intrigued by the 'Mother of pearl'. The bakewell tart sounds interesting, surely it must be a first for a chocolate flavour.
I'll have to pop into HC this week, like Kim I use it as an excuse to get something for myself too, haha. I'll probably get some of the smaller selector packs for my mum, I think this box might be just a bit too pricey for me.
Another classy little package from Hotel Chocolat. I can't say it comes as any sort of surprise. Everything I have ever tried from them has been top class.
I need to be trying on of those Bakewell Tart truffles. I love it when the fillings are cream coloured, they look so much nicer dont your guys think.
This is the type of gift I would give and then make sure to hang around long enough until it was opened :)
You saved the best for last :)
The last three (Love-Me-D, Bakewell Tart, Champagne Truffle) sound great. It would be nice if Hotel Chocolat allowed custom selections.
These sound awesome Jim - brilliant pics too! Yeah I agree the lips are erm...random for a mother's day selection! It's true - HC chocolates are pricey but they taste so goooood & are great as a gift/treat! Cheers dude x P.S: Are there any Heavenly Cakes reviews on the horizon? :)
HI All,
We are T-minus 6 days until Mothers Day and this is my hottest tip so no excuses about me telling you guys too late :D
There seems to be a lot of discussion about the price today. It would seem they have put their prices up - I will have to ask them what the driver of that was .... it could be raw material costs etc or they could of just put the prices up because they believe they justify it. I wish I could tell you myself but I simply don't know. Let me try get you an update on that.
As always I'm rushing from one place to another with the day job so apologies if I miss out on answering anything ....
NICK - Just the one box usually.
RACHEL - Indeed there isn't much I haven't tried from their main range.
STEVEN - I'm not a fan of the caramel sweethearts chap no. I suggest you read the review I've linked in to see why in greater detail :D
PAUL - If you are looking smaller time why not go for a smaller pack of their champagne truffles. They are are tremendous. My old dear loves them.
JULIE - I just wanted to make it explicity clear that the rating system was different to normal. Are there any other colours your prefer then?
GOLDEN - I have no problem with the Sleekster Collections myself. I do see what you mean though, they could try apply some suitable themes to some of the boxes. I wouldn't want them creating really cheesey/cheap looking ones though.
ANON - The Isabelle is one of the my favourites they make. The Eton Mess is just as good though .... to be honest it really depends what sort of chocolate you are after.
KEV - The Easter reviews started with the Quail Eggs last week did they not :D Don't worry there are plenty more already in the review queue. They will be appearing soon enough.
ALISON - There is a picture of it linked in the review. It was lucky I had taken a photo of it before :D
LINDA - Sorry but that did make me laugh. Perhaps you could tell your partner that the kids bought it for you? :D
ANON - I still haven't got around to asking them about an Easter competition yet. Give me a chance :D I will try everything I can to make it happen.
NIGEL - The whole England team is a circus chap. I didn't enjoy the game to be honest. It was all over from 15 minutes. The rest was tedious.
TINA - I get your point it would have been sensible to make that Oyster one champagne flavoured.
ANON - Watch the language please.
PHIL - Actually this wasn't the first Bakewell Tart flavoured chocolate I have tasted. A few weeks ago I was given a sample of the one the new flavoured Thorntons square bars (Bakewell Tart) .... I don't want to spoil the review ... but I will .. :D .... its absolutely superb!! Like I said to one of the others above, if you are looking smaller time I would go for a small pack of the champagne truffles they always go down well.
ANA - Custom selections can't be far off. I expect this will be something they will do when they get a little bigger in terms of company size.
ROXY - Heavenly Cakes are really REALLLLLY busy at the moment so my communication with them is a little sporadic at the moment. Their company is growing at a massive rate (no surprise!!) so they are so stretched for time. Suffice to say they will be appearing in the near future, but not in the next few weeks.
Thanks for all your kind words today all. I'm sure there will be further discussion by tomorrow night so I will be sure to check back in tomorrow evening so ask anything else away.
JIM
Lol @Rachel. I think Jim must have eaten the most hotel chocolate in the world he has reviewed so much. Lucky for some eh?
Its a shame that im not going to get the chance to make it to hotel chocolat before next weekend because this looks wonderful. She will have to make do with the standard flowers and fry up this year.
Finally a bit of common sense. Its a great call them keeping some of the better ones from the valentines day chocolates they made. It wouldn't surprise me if they just made too many of them in the first place though. It might be a cheap way to get rid of the excess.
These do look very nice, if a bit pricey lol. Unfortunately as far as Mothers Day goes, this selection would be my mums worst nightmare! lol shed much prefer a darker, richer, coffee/dark chocolate/liqueur type selction that these type of things. Shed find all thesed way to sweet and sickly.
Theres no holding HC down these days is there lol. Good on them. If they really are this good then I am the one missing out at the minute. Hopefully I can put this right sometime soon. I just need to get to one of their shops x_x
Richard: These Hotel Chocolat truffles are completely different to the booja booja truffles that jim did the other day. For a start you get 14 different kinds here, on the boojas you only got one. That immediatedly will put the cost up. You need to compare apples with apples mate and you just can't do it in this instance.
Jim: Great reviewman
Im no hotel chocolat expert but this box looks like one of their best yet. If they have some in stock when I go into town on saturday then I will get one for my mum. I think she would love it. Nice one chocolate dude.
Champagne, praline, pistachio, caramels what a wonderful array of different flavours and fillings. The only problem is my mum isn't that keen on fruit chocolates so it looks like there are a few too many of them in here.
I don't think I could afford the twenty quid either. I have to side with Richard on this one I do think that is very expensive just for a box of chocolates.
I still haven't tried any sort of blueberry truffle from HC yet. Your last two reviews have set my lofty expectations high. Im sure Hotel Chocolat aren't going to let me down. I just hope they do them in the seperate packs that they make for their shops.
This is the first year I wont be buying for my mum. She passed late last year :(
Excuse my melodramatic violin moment. I know Im not the only one. She didn't like chocolate anyway lol she always used to shout at me for eating too much.
Im not sure where you are coming from regarding the lips thing Jim. Everyone should be laying a wet soppy one on mumsy on Sunday *MMMMMMMMMWAH*
I can't believe people are being so pathetic about the price! Guys Hotel Chocolat is a premium brand of chocolates. If they started selling them at cheap prices they wouldn't be as special as they are.
DAVID - Don't get me wrong I think I am very lucky to get these samples to try.
JAMES - Those are hardly bad alternatives :D
ALAN - Ahhh right. Your probably best off looking elsewhere chap. How did your Aussie ordering go the other day by the way?
MATT - I agree with you about reviewing things in context chap. They aren't really comparable are they. Two totally different brands offering very different products.
RESH - Im quitely confident you wont feel let down by them. They are very good truffles believe me.
Anon - Haha that did make me laugh. Don't worry I will make sure my old dear gets a smacker.
DAVID - I don't think it's surprising to see people concerned with pricing during economic times like this chap.
Thanks everyone
JIM
Well Ive put the order in, Friday or Saturday i think it was so just waiting for them to arrive now, maybe by the end of this week or the start of next I hope :) I will let you know what we think of the bars when we try them :)
Post a Comment