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Kcal 170 Fat 10.9g Fat(sats) 6.5g Carbs 15.2gApologies for changing the posting order this week but with the amount of people requesting this review it made sense to fast track it to the front of line. Behold Cadbury's latest new offering - the Cadbury Flake Allure bar. For the first time in a long while the Flake brand has been given a bit of attention - it feels like forever and a day since they last put some investment behind this part of their portfolio. Since the middle of May our taste buds have salivating at the promise of 'The much loved delicate and crumbly Flake chocolate, enrobed in smooth truffle and coated in Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate' - trade article HERE. The addition of the Dairy Milk to the usual Cadbury secondary recipe chocolate that we are all used to with the original Flake sounded like a step forward for the brand - this week I got a chance to judge for myself.
The new Cadbury Flake Allure weighs 31.5g, a touch under the standard Flake bar which comes in at 32.0g. When I saw the initial press release I was impressed by the style of the wrapper and I was even more so when I had the bar in hand. Unlike the rest of the Cadbury Flake range this new Allure bar came presented in a swish looking matted foil wrapper (the same used on the Cadbury Dairy Milk range!!). This combined with the less feminine brown design pattern work made the bar feel stylish and modern - a tick in the box for Cadbury there! Out it's wrapper, the bar emanated the usual glorious Cadbury milk chocolate smells, though I couldn't help but notice it's slimness compared to the standard Cadbury Flake.
Studying the bar closer and in greater detail a few potential issues immediately became apparent. The first glaring issue was that this Cadbury Flake Allure was just as messy to eat as any other Flake product. Despite the supposed 'coating', I created a right old mess, crumbs of chocolate everywhere :D The next most apparent thing was that the descriptor stated above and on the wrapper appeared to be quite misleading. The promised dual layered combination of 'truffle and Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate' appeared to be just a single half coating of milk chocolate on the underside of the bar. This wasn't a massive issue by any means but I couldn't help feel somewhat mislead by what was described to me previously. Putting this all to one side I ate the damn thing and felt somewhat better about it all :D The distinct sweet tasting, creamy Cadbury milk chocolate flavours were all offered in abundance, and the textural interplay created the by the smooth outer coating and crumbly centre portion provided a compelling mouth feel. The entire bar wasn't exactly the most fulfilling thing I have ever eaten but it performed its role as a mid-afternoon snack to a sufficient level.
Overall this is a tough one to call! Half of me wants to appreciate the great tasting chocolate and nice looking snazzy wrapper etc, however the other half of me is wanting to let loose on one big rant about how we are being cheated by Cadbury with this supposed 'new' offering. Essentially you can look at this all from two different perspectives. On one hand we have a tasty, textured milk chocolate bar that comes in an attractive new wrapper. Looking at it from the other side it could be viewed that this new Cadbury Flake Allure bar is simply just the Cadbury Flake Dipped, with half the chocolate coating, in a smaller size (39.0g vs 31.5g) and being sold at the same or higher price (RRP for the Cadbury Allure is £0.60). I don't wan't to be a cynical so-&-so but I find it extremely hard to gloss over the facts I've just pointed out. From the Cadbury perspective I understand that margins are being constricted with the cost of cocoa rising etc, however I still think is no excuse for 'window dressing' the removal of the Cadbury Flake Dipped with the replacement of this cheaper to produce alternative. The ChocolateMission score may still be relatively high, but that is a measurement solely of it's attributes and not of it's morals.
7.9 out of 10
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69 comments:
Well done for getting such a thorough review up so fast J. I haven't found it myself yet but after reading what you have written I'm not fussed with it at all now.
Dx
Lol this is a review you have to read fully to get the full story. Normally I will admit I just look at the photos and the score before I read what you have said. I was only skim reading it to be honest but I'm glad I took the time to read what you have put fully, its fascinating.
Its for reasons like this why I always request you review chocolates from the smaller British firms mate.
Quality just isn't top of mind with all the big companies anymore, its just all about their bottom line and how they can make the most $$$.
Cadbury should be pulled up by the ears for doing this. What the hell are they playing at. This is exactly what you say it is Jim. A smaller more expensive version of something that we had already. What a rip off.
Omg! Gold star to the greatest chocolate detective I know :-)
I can't believe the cheek of them. It makes me feel like such an idiot that I just would have bought this without thinking. Its unbelievable they have the nerve to do something like this. Thank you for pointing out the obvious Jim.
Rxxx
Ooooooh I really shouldn't be looking at pictures of Flakes this early in the day. I know I will be buying one at some time today now. This site just feeds my inner cravings you meanie :P
I don't mean to criticse your photo but it even looks boring to me.
Sigggggggggggh its just another half hearted effort from cadbury creating some noise about something that isn't worth the attention. Bring back the snowflake I say.
No wonder everyone is so cynical about big companies these days. Which ever way you look at it they are just trying to shaft us any which way they can. If we can't even trust cadburys now I can't see this ever changing on a broader scale.
As cheeky as all the cadbury dipped comparisons I know it wont stop buying their chocolate bars. Dairy Milk is just too tasty to be giving up on a whim. Eugh its depressing how much control these big companies have on us isn't it.
Anyone who believed for one minute that cadburys were this loving family company needs a serious reality check. They are just like any other business guys. They try to sell their products for as much as possible whilst producing them for as little as they can. Its called profit lol.
Stuff writing about chocolate mate you should become a full time journo :)
I think you went about the review in the right sort of way. Approaching it from a stand point of it being an isolated chocolate bar and scoring it that way was the right way to do it. I still respect that you have called them out on the reality of it though mate. You are right to challenge them on the giving us less chocolate for more money though. The ethics behind that just don't work which ever way you look at it.
pt #2 - Do you know anyone from Cadbury who is willing to comment on this Jim?
I would love to hear what they have to say on the matter.
This is all a bit of fuss about nothing I think. Just accept the Allure for what it is guys. I've had one and I didn't think it was bad at all. I think you just need to make sure you buy more than one if you are hungry lol.
Wait until the newspapers get a load of this lmao.
They will call this scandal FLAKEGATE and Jim will be made famous for fighting the cause for all us choco-holics.
Sorry if you think I'm over reacting but this is disgraceful. Is the dipped one definitely on its way out then?
How in heavens do you keep up with all these new chocolates jim. Was this sent to you by cadburys to try or did you have to buy it yourself.
Lol if they sent this to you I don't think you can expect anything more. You sorta exploit them at the end of your write up.
I've noticed lately that all chocolate bars like these are getting more and more expensive. A year ago I swear that a caramac used to be like 45p. Yesterday in Tesco one cost me 65p or 2 for £1. That deal is all fine and good but I only wanted one :(
I totally buy in to what you are saying in your review Jim but I know im still going to buy one of these to try it myself. I will feel a bit stupid handing over my money for what I know is an inferior product to something that is already on the shelf but its the whole new thing. I can't help myself.
This is so unfair to do to people. How can they justify this to us all?
Epic fail from Cadbury here. Its a right old shame that no one will notice though. I think most people that buy it wont even remember they used to make that dipped one. People who love flakes might do I suppose.
Epic fail from Cadbury here. Its a right old shame that no one will notice though. I think most people that buy it wont even remember they used to make that dipped one. People who love flakes might do I suppose.
Im not at all surprised to hear about that stuff you put at the end Jim. Manufactures of chocolate have been doing that for years. The creme egg is about half the size it was 5 years ago but it doesn't stop them charging more for it does it.
Sorry for asking the obvious question but can someone tell me where I can buy one of these please.
What ever happened to all the different flavours of Flake. I remember a time when there used to be a truffle, mint, orange, dark and white chocolate flake. I admit some of them might have been limited editions but its never been like it is now when they just have the plain milk choc and this allure one. Its crazy how you can get one brand that takes all its flavours out like the flake and then another like the aero which has just released about five in 6 months.
I would have expected this from a company like Nestle but not my beloved Cadburys :(
This is so sad to hear about I had so much more respect for them before I read this. At the end of the day they are just as bad as any other brand out there aren't they. How sad, I would love to blame it on Kraft but this is something we wont ever be able to determine.
Ignoring the fact that its a total rip off I thought this was a pretty nice chocolate lol.
My girlfriend has become obsessed with them since she had one on Monday. Shes asked me to start rationing them for her lol.
I can see why people are annoyed by this but if you were the owner of a big company like that you would make exactly the same decisions. Its just the way life is I'm afraid.
Cadburys have to be jokers of the century.
Less chocolate .... more money????
Come on guys we aren't stupid.
Quality review mate. Another very good one.
The new wrapper is so pretty.
Cadburys have really upped their game with all their latest ones. I think the bliss bars look really good too.
My theory of you working for cadburys is well and truley out the window then lol.
Sorry but I was convinced you worked for them at one point because there were a few weeks last year when you said nothing but positive things about them and had a go at Nestle all the time. I offer my sincerest apologies for doubting you. Thanks for opening our eyes to this latest misdmeanour by a supposedly reputable company.
This looks like the praline flake not the dipped one.
I hate Flakes for the sole reason that I cant eat one without half of it crumbling away. I could see that covering in firmer chocolate might help but the twirl bar already does that. I can live without buying this I think.
I was stupidly really excited about this new Allure bar =<
I haven't got one yet to try but I was expecting more than just a normal flake with a half assed coating. I thought the truffle part was going to make it different to anything we had ever had before. Obviously that was too much to ask for.
Amazing work Jim. You always think about these things so much more than we do. You have opened all our eyes to the fact we are getting a raw deal out of something that is supposed to be celebrated by us. It makes us feel all look rather stupid doesn't it. Getting excited about a chocolate bar that is smaller and more expensive than one that existed already. Its cringe worthy.
I was shocked I had to pay 75p for just one bar yesterday. That was in my local corner shop though. They always put a hefty chunk of the rrp price the sneaky sods.
@David You are so right. Why oh why do they not do the white chocolate flake anymore. That one was so nice. Much better than this crummy one we have here, it just sounds no different to anything we have had before.
Rxxx
I can understand people being a bit miffed about this replacing the dipped flake but I can't help but drool at the picture of that flake today. Mmmmmm I wish I could reach out and nom it right now lol =]
The truffle bit is MIA by the looks of it. Do you think it was a manufacturing fault or are all of them going to be like this.
That well sucks if they all are. How boring could they make it.
It didn't take you long to get one of these did it!! You have no idea how slow all the shops round near me are rotating the chocolates they sell. Honest it takes them months before they stock any of the new items. Sometimes we don't even get them. All those Aeros your reviewed earlier this year have never made it here.
Excellent review Jim :-) I think i was ripped off if the rrp is 60p, because mine cost me 85p :-O
Got to get me one of these. Flakes are the best. Nom nom.
Hmmm part of me thinks 'Bad Cadbury - you can't fool us - espec when we have Jim on our side!' & the other part of me thinks 'Oooh new(ish) Cadbury Flake - yuuummm!' :) Thanks for the great review dude x
less chocolate for more moola,hmmm. I do like them though.
Less chocolate for more of my hard earned moola?Hmmm.
These look quite nice although they do sound very like the Flake Praline and Falke Dipped. They are actually still around (the dipped certainly is, I saw them the other day lol) so not sure why they created this.
I think Flakes are made with Dairy Milk not the secondary recipe (and according to your original Flake review they are Dairy Milk lol).. I think they couldve jazzed up the idea a bit more. Id love to see a flavoured Flake!
As long as it tastes ok I dont really care if it is like anything else or not.
What matters is that it does the job curing my choc cravings.
Sorry for lack of comments lately, not had a proper chance, but I do still read every new review and they're as great as ever. When I read the news article about this new flake & the description of the bar, I predicted that your review would be along the lines of what you've written.
It just seems like Cadbury trying to dress up more cost cutting as a new product. Seen the Allure for the 1st time in the Spar tonight and was shocked to see it labelled as "try now for the cheap price of 65p" (or such like). As lovely as flakes are as they cru,ble and melt in your mouth leaving you with that great Cadbury taste, no flake in the world is worth 65p, never mind one that's actually smaller & meant to be an introductory offer!!! Safe to say, I gave it a wide berth. If I see it actually cheap, I may try it for one-off's sake.
Have a great weekend, hope the weather down South has been as amazing as it's been up here.
Hi All,
This review today has certainly stirred it up a bit :D
I can understand the disappointment and criticism being thrown Cadbury's way today, I felt a little disappointed with them myself. One thing I will say mind you is that some of you have made a very good point that 99% of people either a) wont notice or b) wont care as much as some of us passionate folk on here :D
That doesn't make any of this excusable but it does provide a little perspective to the matter at hand.
Looking at all the comments its good to see sensible discussion and debate being shown :D Thats what I like to see. Only a few questions for me today (woohoo I want to get out the office asap haha!!!)
ANON - I haven't seen a Cadbury Flake Dipped for ages but some other readers appear to believe they are still about so I can't say its 100% definite.
STEVEN - I was provided samples by one of their PR companies again.
DAVID/RACHEL - The snowflake is still produced in South Africa I think. I don't rate it myself. It has that awful dream chocolate.
CINABAR - 85p!??? Where were you shopping!? Harrods??? :D haha!
ALAN - I looked on the wrapper again and the middle bit definitely states its the secondary cadbury recipe! Take a look when you get one. I personally think a mint flake might be rather good.
RIA - 65p is bad isn't it. I don't know how they justify it for something >32.0g. The weather was indeed glorious down south today and it looks like it will be for the weekend! On that note ....
Thanks to you all for the comments and your nice words about my reviews. I do still hold a lot of respect for Cadbury but if this is going to be the nature of their business going forward I will be having a lot more issues with them in the future.
Have great weekends.
JIM
Since when did you become the chocolate police. Jeeze lay off them mate. They are just a company trying to make money. Its called business.
These big cheese companies and their underhand ways eh!!!!
Seriously you just cant trust any of them any more can you. Cadbury are supposed to be one of our oldest and loyal brands and they go and cheat people like this. They should be ashamed about this. They need to take a long hard look at themselves.
I needn't even tell you people how much of a rip off 60p is for 31g. I know you are paying for the fact that it has the flake crumble texture but that is just ridiculous.
I cant remember the last time I saw a Flake that wasn't a normal one. They must have got rid of the others a long time ago.
I do like that wrapper. Ya right Jim it does make it a load less girly. I wont be so embarassed buying one of them than I am a normal flake. I don't know why but I always feel a little self concious buying one of them. I know its probs just me being silly but I always feel the same way when I'm buying maltesers as well.
As much as I respect your review I will still buy one to see what its like. The flake praline used to be a real favourite of mine and they look very similar in terms of their make up.
Part of your review that did make me laugh out loud was the bit about it still being messy :-) My mum always has a go at me for eating flakes in our lounge. Shes forever complaining about me leaving crumbs everywhere when I do lol.
Am I the only one to have never even heard of the flake dipped before? You had me so confused there for a while but I see what you mean about both of them being similar now. Thats pretty shocking stuff man
Thank you for the review Jim. I will be trying this one with my eyes wide open now. I'm a little embarassed to say that I wouldn't ever have thought about it vs the dipped one. It must be what what they are counting on to happen with the majority of people.
You should have just posted the ritter review you said you would. If this is the best they can come up with then they should just give up altogether.
You could say that cadbury could learn a lot from Ritter when it comes to sorting out limited editions and new flavours. At least when they release old flavours they make a point of telling us.
What a total swizz. The sad thing is 99.9% of people that buy this new allure thing wont even think about what they are buying. I guess that makes it all harmless in a way but its just as bad as them making all of their 250 gram big bars 230 gram without telling anyone. Its just a way of covering up isn't it.
Omg as much as I love Flakes I'm furious that this is nothing more that a Dipped Lite. I thought cadburys were better than this. If they were just upfront and honest about it I wouldn't feel bad towards them at all. This is just inexcusable though.
Woops I put my thoughts on this on the 7 days of reviews post. Sorry mate.
I just said that I tried one but it was all melted so I will have to do a retest before I say anything.
Excellent review mate. A real eye opener when you think about these dodge firms. They will do anything for a bit of £ wont they.
hey Jim, looks pretty simillar to the flake praline minus the nuts. I miss the dark flake:(
Chris
Ive just had one of these, and while it was nice enough, to me it was just like eating a giant Twirl lol it tasted just like a Twirl does! I couldnt see where the truffle was, it just looked like a thick chocolate coating.
Oh for goodness sake!!! It's just a bloody chocolate , that is all....nothing more nothing less. Jim get a proper job, and if you already have one ....it is not keeping you busy enough. I mean come on for pete sake , seriously ,get over it . It is a chocolate you like it buy it u don't shut it, SIMPLE.
LOL after posting my comment , I read that my post will be added after the 'approval' of JIM i guess. Well fat chance of that happening. Now it all makes sense...why the comments posted are all in favour with Jim. Pathetic. Well Jim so long as you read my comment, you know what I am talking about:).
ANON - Haha chocolate police. I like that term. Im just giving an opinion.
RICHARD - on a Kg/£ ratio it doesn't work out favourably compared to other bars no.
JAMES - I think a lot of manufactures could take learnings from Ritter Sport not just Cadbury.
STU - Haha a retest is probably a good idea :) Its best to be thorough when chocolate testing!
ALAN - The 'truffle' is MIA as far as im concerned :D I think we need to start a campaign to find it.
ANON - What a lovely comment. I do indeed have a full time job thank you :D I can't wait for your next comment, I just hope it will be as pleasant as your last one you lovely nameless fellow :D
JIM
Oh sure Jim ....my pleasure:D. So here is my 'next' comment. Hmmm interesting that you have a full time job. BTW I am not a 'fellow' I am a woman...and come on don't blame me for being harsh, end of the day ..IT IS ONLY A CHOCOLATE!!!! But anyway was well chuffed to see my comment posted yaaaay tyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy:DDDD.*Whispers* Jim , was this comment pleasant? ;). Oh and the name thing...here let me add it now.
Pssssst also Jim....all your other readers are being too bloody nice....someone needs to fill the baddies role. Why not me !!!!:p BTW....Sarah.
Well I'm on a chocolate mission of my own...I don't care if it's expensive or messy, I haven't been able to find a Flake Dark bar in probably two years, and the only place I can find dark Finger cookies is an online source where I'd have to buy six boxes at once. I don't understand why it's so hard to find a dark chocolate version of anything, especially with Cadbury.
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