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If you thought Artisan du Chocolat were content with showcasing just the one Christmas 2011 offering this year on JCM you better think again because today we have this 'O Magic Collection' giving our tried and and tested rating system a run for it's money. Yes indeed, following on from my review last week of their 'Christmas Chocolate Pudding' truffles (See HERE), this 'limited edition twenty piece box of dark, milk and white chocolate O discs filled with seasonal coulis' was also sent my way from Artisan. With the 'Old Man' on photo duty, and my Mother providing her "expert opinion" :D we today embarked upon our latest Artisan du Chocolat festive experience.
As described above this was a box of chocolates that contained twenty disc shaped chocolates weighing 130.0g and retailing online for £15.00 (See HERE). Last week we were all falling over ourselves lauding Artisan with praise for the quality of their presentation. I hope you will agree that once again this level of appreciation should be merited to them again with this 'O Magic Collection' as it was every bit as beautiful. If you look at the Old Man's photography you will be able to see the level of care they went to once again here. The outer box was wonderfully decorative in it's detail and the chocolates had some of the most intricate pattern and design work I've ever seen on any chocolates before. Just look and admire.
Within this special collection, Artisan were offered five different flavours: apple and cider, red current, Champagne, whisky and cherries and spiced wine. Contained within various different chocolate types depending on their suitability e.g. red current with white chocolate, these flavours were all well matched and I think the total package was much better for having white, milk and dark options rather than just designating all to just the one type. As you can see in the photos the discs were thin in stature and broke with a distinct snap sound that reassured me of the fresh ingredients. The extremely smooth melt of the chocolate and cool sensation of the coulis created a luxurious mouth feel which only further substantiated the sense this was a premium chocolate product. Thankfully this was all matched by the flavours offered by the majority of the different flavours, with the only partial disappointment coming in the form of the underpowered whisky offering. That flavour aside, the fruit flavours were terrific and created sweet, real tasting, tarty/zingy fruit experiences that contrasted perfectly with their sweet milk and white chocolates shells. For such thin, elegant chocolates we were all surprised at the volume of flavour each delivered - perhaps we shouldn't have been given past experiences. If we had to pick-out a stand out flavour, the champagne offering came in for particular praise from my Mother who instantly expressed her delight with a resounding 'wow'.Overall this Artisan du Chocolat O Magic Collection has to go down as one of the best things I have tried whilst doing all my reviews for Christmas 2011. Everything about the total package, from the way it was presented, to the taste of the actual chocolates again just felt like it was done with a touch of class. This box of chocolates successfully managed to give me that feeling that I was lucky to be reviewing these for the site, and that every chocolate I was sampling from the box was an exciting and potentially delicious prospect. Speaking as someone who tries their fair share of chocolate (understatement of the century) this has to be regarded as no mean feat. Artisan du Chocolat O Magic Collection offers a festive themed flavour experience that I would recommend to anyone who appreciates good quality chocolate. The bonus of it all is that the package is presented in a near perfect form. A purchase of these for yourself or a significant other wouldn't be a decision resulting in regret.
8.5 out of 10
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69 comments:
Yet another beautiful set of chocolates. Whats going on this week Jim? Are you just showing off with the pictures or something :P :P
I'm not to sure I like the flavours they have done here. They certainly aren't the sort of ones that I would naturally associate with being Christmassy. I wont deny that it looks good but if the flavours of the chocolates aren't well matched to what they are supposed to be I think it sorta defeats the object of it all in the first place. Whats up with Apple cider being to do with Christmas??? That's not the only one I would say is questionable.
Another great review J. It's a shame you aren't posting as much now. Your reviews have noticeabley steeped up in quality for everything you have done for Xmas time.
Like I said the other day I'm still unconvinced by Artisan because of the experience I had with their caramels.
They got so bigged up to me beforehand I was disappointed with them when I got them. Your review of them was a bit positive for my liking lol.
Is there any danger you reviewing something we can all actually afford? It would be nice for you to look at something that wont send us all into further debt thanks.
I think I would end up putting those chocolates on display not in my mouth. They have been decorated so well its almost like they are too good to eat lol.
I don't think I would buy these but yeah they do look gorgeous. These guys sorta remind me of how I used to think Thorntons were before they turned all crummy.
Expensive but you pay the price for what you get here. I think if you gave these to someone for Christmas they would be well impressed. They've managed to make it on the shortlist for gifts for my mum. She better not be sneaking a read at this I know she looks on here sometimes.
These would be the absolute business to whip out after a meal. I think they would do a whole lot more impressing than the standard after eights lol.
Dx
How is it you get to know about all these quirky choccie companies before we do. It's most unfair you know. I want to suggest some things for you to review for once. Most things I think of I can find already done though.
I will catch you out sometime soon, its just a matter of finding something worth reviewing from a local chocolate maker.
I might have the wrong end of the stick here but would it be fair to say that these looked better than they tasted? That's the sense i'm getting from the review.
The only person I will probs buy chocolates for this Christmas is my Dad because i can never think of anything to buy him.
He likes Whisky and dark chocolates so I think i'm just going to go for the ones from thorntons. It was wicked seeing these though. I like that they took so much care with making the chocolates look as good as the thing they came in. They are so detailed.
I'm all for things being presented well and looking nice but would you rather they have spent more time on making more of the chooclates? It doesn't sound as if any of the flavours they made with them came across as that special
Wow Jim these are some of the best foodie pics you have put up on this site ever. Thats obviously saying something given the standard of some of the cake ones you have done before.
Hey Hun. You didn't get a shortage of lush looking chocs this year did you. Either you are showing them from their 'best side' or these people have really made some very pretty looking chocolates for you to review. I'm sure it's a combination of them both :-) Thanks for the review again. I wont buy them because I prefer to buy a more well know name but its still nice seeing you review them.
Rxxx
The detail they went into on the chocolates is amazing. I would find it soul destroying going to watch someone gobble them up if I was the person that did them lol.
Another Xmas cracker review m8. Well done.
I think these would only be worth buying for someone who would really appreciate them. They are blates a cut above most things you can buy in the shops etc.
I have a few people in mind that might appreciate them though im not sure the flavours match their tastes.
I thought the price would be higher than that myself.
You can't expect to pay cheapo prices for chocs that have had so much effort put in to them. It would be stupid to think they should come any cheaper than that. I'm all for paying more for things that do stand out from the norm.
Every day that passes I just get more and more confused as to what im buying for people this year.
LOL i'm sure you are doing these with best intentions but in a way your aren't helping me here big man.
If you work it out cost per chocolate these are half the price of he Hotel Chocolat desserts ones posted on Monday.
Some of the varieties sound just as exciting imo.
I think you could make someone feel really special giving them a box of these. The way they have done them up and everything lets you know they are expensive.
Jim what another lovely choc review. This will get the people complaining you don't talk about about choc enough off your back. I thought your father couldn't have done a better job with the pictures on Monday but he had a decent attempt here lol. They just look so yum, even the dark ones ;)
Those photos are the reason why you need to go back to posting more again Jim :o I need my daily fix of lush looking chocs.
(+ points)
* They look exquisite
* Interesting flavours
* Indiviual looking
* Niche
(- points)
* Expensive
* Not all the flavours will be to everyones taste
* Dark chocolate
Bloody hell they have to be pretty magical for that sort of monies lol.
Lol your photos are so much better than the ones they have up on their own website. They should pay to use your ones because you can tell they have been taken naturally and not touched up.
Thats the problem with these big cheese companies. They don't understand we don't want the glitzy modified versions of what their products look like. I think we would all much rather see genuine shots of what you would get rather than glammed up ones which set expectations unrealistically.
I so want to nom all of them up right now. I've never had a set of chocs as fancy as this b4. I would feel uber uber spoilt if I got these given to me. I will have to see what Santa will bring me.
The gold patterns on the chocolate make them look just stunning. I would be very keen to give these a try if I had the money.
Everything looks great but its theflavour that aren't doing it for me today.
For a start for Christmas themed chocolates they aren't at all to do with Christmas.
Secondly I don't drinks alcohol so that rules out half of them from the start.
I'm starting to think Artisan could be worth checking out more if thee last two are anything to go by. Most the time for these companies it isn't the seasonal things they do that are the best. Take Thorntons for instance, they do a lot of seasonal rubbish that doesn't showcase them in their best light. If the same is to be said of Artisan du Chocolate it could be that they have a few pearlers in the normal chocs they make.
Go find out for us Jim :-P
They look way too pretty to eat. I would feel horrible biting in to one and ruining all of the hard work of the chocolatier.
Jim have you seen that Lindt have new Irish Creme Lindors out now? Please do us a review. I haven't been this excited about Lindt's chocolate since I heard we got the sea salt one.
Artisan do some gorgeous truffles. They actually have a counter set up in the Selfridges store in London where you can pick and choose from all their truffles and chocolates etc.
I had a really nice chin wag with the person on the counter when I was last in there. She helped me pick out a very nice custom set for my mum. All I had to do was tell her that she liked dark chocolates and fruit and she put together in a lovely little box with a ribbon. The customer service was second to none I was very impressed.
So there are alternatives to just Hotel Chocolat then ;) I thought this place was getting a little too one-sided for my liking but at least you've found another decent enough alternative for us folk that aren't as Hotel inclined as you good sir. I never want to spoil your Hotel reviews so I don't contribute on them much. I just don't get all the fuss that comes with their chocolates. Some of their slabs are cool but as far as their truffles go I think they have improvements to be made myself.
Jim random question ............ DO you have an advent calendar LOL!!!!
The only one I don't like the sound of is the whisky one. It sounds annoying you aren't given the ability to be able to tell them apart. That could get v annoying v quickly.
Did Artisan du Chocolat send this to you to review or did you buy it yourself. If you bought it yourself theres got to be an element of 'I bought this at great expense so I'm going to justify anyway' involved here. If they sent it to you do they tell you what to say or are you free to write whatever.
Do they only sell these online? If they are easy enough to pick up in one of the highstreet stores I might well get them. They look the biz dude.
Well done Jim another great looking review here. Your last two have been so good I struggle to see how they can be topped. The only other sort of chocolate I think you need to look at before Christmas is some of the cheaper ones. I love seeing all these mega money ones but I would alo like to see what you think of ones like the milka and terry's selections. Don't forget you should do some of them.
They can't have much filling in them if they are just flimsy discs. Are the centre fillings really strong enough to get themselves established? Unless they are particularly potent I would of thought that the ones in the dark chocolate would struggle to make an impression.
These look a ton of a lot better than those Christmas Pudding flavoured truffles you showed us the other day. I would be far more likely to buy these than those ugly things you posted.
I just read your review of their award winning caramels. I always laugh when I see companies claim that something they make is 'award winning' cause half the time the award they have won is made up by themseleves.
Saying that I think those ones won the chocolate academy good taste one correct? You can't pull the wool over anyones eyes with that one.
There's no point in my buying Christmas presents for anyone just yet.
I think if I bought people chocolates I would eat them by the time it came around to giving them to them lol. I'm so bad like that I did it last when I bought some champagne truffles for my mum's bday. I had some of my friends over for a girly night in and we ended up eating them a week beforehand. I had to go back and buy some more after that and I don't fancy doing that again =)
Granted these look fab but I don't like the sound of the flavours at all. Is there any way you can tell which one is which. You don't make any reference to their being a menu and I can't see a way of telling them apart from each other.
I'm always so cautious about spending a lot of money on chocolates now. Whenever I have done in the past i've often ended uopdisapointed with the final thing.
Its one of the falaties of internet buying I suppose. Because you can't have the product in hand until you buy you never know what sort of quality you are going to truley get.
I would be one of those annoying people that doesn't give two fiddlesticks what they look like. To me it's al about how things taste and not their looks.
As long as they don't look like a dogs dinner most things fly with me. It's only when they get really lazy and crappy looking that I start getting concerned.
Jim if you don't want us bigging up your Father and expanding his ego then you are going to have to quit posting his pictures on your site.
These look outstanding once again. I'm not sure about putting them in to such thin discs though. They could be a little flimsy for my liking. I like a good solid chunky truffle to get my lips around.
Are there any other Artisan products you could suggest to us instead of this one Jim.
I'm intrigued to try something from them but the two Christmas ones you have featured aren't ticking my boxs for what i like.
Anything made with white chocolate is a goer btw ;) Get on the case Jim.
If I wasn't so poor I would be all over these for my Mum. She really loves her food art and deco stuff, we have all sorts of food art books in our cuboards so I know she would appreciate these. It's a right old shame they aren't a little more affordable.
These look sooo pretty & sound delicious too Jim! As always you've reviewed some lovely Christmas treats for us - am looking forward to more to come! ;) Roxy x
they look great. Question: did the different coulis come in a variety of chocolate types? ex: both a dark and white red currant?
The flavours sound wonderful. I really love the presentation, not just of the box, but the slimline chocolates as well.
They are absolutely beautiful (I think they look a lot better than the Christmas Chocolate Pudding Couture Box, which, by the way, is missing the link in the text - it says "See HERE", but there is no link on it) and I love the choice of flavours, but I cannot figure out which is which? Which were made with dark and which were made with milk chocolate?
These look really cool, but as others have said the flavours just arent the sort of thing I could really get anyone. My sister would like these if they were in different flavours.
@Tim, Im the same, I dont really get the fuss with HC either to be honest, some of the stuffs ok but I dont see why its so special. It never tastes that good to me, the truffles chocolates are often way to sweet even for me lol
Hi All,
Thanks again for the wealth of comments today. I'm not surprised to see so many positive messages being left about the packaging and the photography. This box of chocolate looked very special and the 'Old Man' again did some very nifty work with the camera to best show it off.
You can get in contact with Artisan Du Chocolat on Twitter @Artisanchocolat I'm sure they would love to hear from you if you have any matters that you want clarity on.
ANON - Wait until my buyers guides for some of the cheaper things.
MICHELLE - I have seen the Irish Creme Lindors. I will try review them if I get time. The Schedule is rather packed mind you.
KATIE - I'm glad to hear they provide a good service.
ANON - No I don't have an advent calendar this year.
GAMER - They sell in some selected stores in London. They mostly trade online in the UK I believe though.
NICOLA - Artisan do plenty of other chocolates but I wont get time to review them before Christmas I'm afraid. You could have a try of them for us and then suggest some of them to me.
ROXY - That's a good thing to hear :D as I've got plenty in the pipeline :D
Rodzilla - No unfortunately not. The flavours were designated to a particular chocolate type so the coullis only got paired with the white chocolate, the whisky with the dark etc etc. It would have been a good contrast to have been able to make.
ANA - Thanks for picking up on the broken link I will mend that this evening.
Apple & Cider - Dark
Whisky - Dark
Red Current - White
Champagne - Milk
Cherries & Spiced Wine - Milk
ALAN - I've always said the beauty of the site is that we all don't agree on everything. If we did it would be incredibly boring wouldn't it :D
Thanks for the comments everyone. Keep them coming!
JIM
Being a cider fan, I'd love to taste a cider and apple chocolate! The spiced wine, and whiskey and cherries also sound wonderful. And they look fantastic, as does the presentation box. Yes, they're expensive, but if I were ever to get a box of these, the box itself most certainly would be for life, not just for Christmas! The chocolates inside it, on the other hand... well, maybe they'd last until Christmas Eve...
Those are the most beautiful chocolates I think I've ever seen. I never seen such detail before. I'm very imrpressed with them. I would love to try the white chocolates ones with strawberry jam. Yum yum!!
You should put those photos into a food photo taking contest or something and make some proper use of them. I doubt you could have made these truffles look better if you tried. They look so 'perfect' for amateur ones.
I'm starting to recognise this style of packaging as Artisan's own now.
Before I saw these two latest reviews before I would have had to have guessed someone like Thorntons or Hotel Chocolat had made them.
I dunno why but I straight away knew Artisan were the ones who made these (lol without looking at the title I mean).
I think I need some of these whisky ones to warm me up Brrrrr im so so cold :(
You haven't quite convinced me that I need to buy this exact selection but I will almost certainly be looking out for more from Artisan du Chocolat from now on. I'm not gagging to try the two Xmas things you have just done but the chocolate coated coffee beans are far more my sort of thing.
When you've done with all the Xmas reviews it would be great if you could give them a try. Here's a link to the ones I'm talking about.
http://www.artisanduchocolat.com/coated-coffee-beans.html
I like the way they put all three types of chocolate in there. It's much better them putting some variety in there rather than just going the simple route of just one.
This is your last warning J. Stop making all these chocolates sound so incredible or I will have to bunk off reading your site.
Sharpen up your knives and pick something you can have a go at for once.
You didn't surpass your efforts from Monday but boy you did get some lovely photos of those chocolates man. Nice work again Jimbob.
Is it me or this Christmas are the premium chocolates getting more expensive and the cheaper ones getting cheaper and cheaper. There's no middle ground anymore. You can either look a cheapo or a fancy pants.
Sorry Jim,but have you seen the price of these?, absolutely outrageous. I love my sweet stuff but dont earn megabucks so will have to wait till you start reviewing more affordable stuff.
£15 for 4oz of chocolate, you cannot be serious mate, what are you on lol.
Gosh those are beautiful, and beautifully shot. At risk of contributing to the head expansion, I can honestly say that I think Jim Sr's photography is actually still improving.
I wouldn't buy these, cause it would be a shame to break them apart, also cause I don't drink. Also cause they're terribly expensive, although I think the price is comparatively reasonable for what you get.
PS I have solved the problem of missing Friday reviews -- I just save the Weds for Fri ;)
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