Irn-Bru 1901 Original Flavour (Ocado) By @Cinabar

Irn-Bru is famously Scotland’s favourite soft drink, and one of my colleagues who lives in Edinburgh always has a can on her desk during our Teams calls, which feels like definitive proof. When I was a child, they advertised it as being “made in Scotland, from girders” a slogan you’d think might have put us off, but it didn’t in the slightest.

In 2018, the recipe for Irn-Bru was changed, with sugar-free variants becoming more common. However, this bottle of Irn-Bru 1901 takes us back to the original recipe. Made with sugar and packaged in a glass bottle; which, as we all know, somehow makes soft drinks taste better (through a scientific mechanism I don’t quite understand), it promises a nostalgic experience.

I poured myself a glass and was pleased to see the bright, familiar colour, which hasn’t changed. There was plenty of fizz too, which I appreciated, I do enjoy fizzy drinks, or “pop” as we call them here in the Midlands.

Taking a sip, I found the flavour as delightful as ever. Irn-Bru is notoriously hard to describe to those who’ve never tried it. It’s sweet, with a taste that’s somewhere between bubblegum and spiced orange. It’s such a distinctive flavour that words don’t quite do it justice, if you haven’t tried it, you really must.

This 1901 version offers a softer flavour than the sugar-free editions we’re now used to. It’s smooth, sweet without being sharp, and utterly nostalgic. I thoroughly enjoyed the classic taste and would gladly have it again. That said, it would be an occasional treat due to the sugar content, but it’s certainly one I’d look forward to.

With Burn’s Night approaching, I think I’ll need to get another bottle of Irn-Bru 1901 sooner rather than later.

Sainsbury's in-store Patisserie - Lemon Tart [@NLi10]

 Supermarkets in the UK have had in store bakeries for ages now - but some are upgrading and doing actual patisserie sections - inspired by the similar ones in euro-supermarkets.  So how do they stack up?

The range looks good - and there are more fragile ones over to the right - but I wanted something robust to share with nanna.

And I chose a little lemon tart - risking that she isn't one for acidy flavours.

Looks the part and is still crisp

And is a slim enough portion that nanna risked a quarter and enjoyed it!

While not quite France quality, this was a decently light snack with deep flavours and a lovely pastry case.  Nothing too exotic, but better than you'd get on the non-fresh shelves for sure.

So - a win - maybe I'll risk something flakier and creamier next time.

Nespresso for Change Please Coffee (Nespresso) By @SpectreUK

I don't often write about coffee. I do love a black coffee, especially in the afternoon after lunch. I find coffee first thing in the morning overpowers everything I eat for the rest of the daytime. So, generally I drink copious amounts of tea while I workout.

I don't have any time for instant coffee (pun intended). I prefer my coffee made from a machine. Nespresso for Change Please is a coffee with a good purpose. Change Please is a social enterprise founded in London in 2015. It is focused on changing the lives of homeless people through job opportunities, and this will be by providing them barista training and qualifications, to give them a shot at building a new life.

Nespresso gave this Change Please an Intensity of 5/10. I like my coffee smooth, sweet and strong. The reviews state this coffee has sweet notes of toasted cereals, biscuity flavours and a hint of nuts. It certainly had a toasted nutty biscuity aroma whilst making it in my Spectre mug.

On taste this coffee definitely had body to it. It was like a meal on its own. Unlike many coffees on the market that just taste of coffee in varying degrees of strength, Change Please had a toasted cereal flavour to begin with, followed by a sweet biscuit taste and ending with a hint of nuttiness into the aftertaste. I was impressed. I usually concentrate on caramel flavoured Nespressos, but I would have this again.

Waf-Fulls Choc Hazelnut (Asda) By @Cinabar

I may have gone to the supermarket intending to buy bread, but I got a little sidetracked by the sweet bakery section across the aisle. That’s how this pack of Waf-Fulls Choc Hazelnut ended up in my basket. (Don’t worry—I remembered to grab the bread too!)

This snack features an individual waffle, ready to eat straight from the pack—no need for a microwave or toaster, which I appreciated when I looked into it at home.

Inside the packaging, you’ll find two oblong waffle pieces sandwiched together with a generous layer of chocolate hazelnut spread. It looked so inviting, with some of the spread oozing slightly at the edges, a promising start!

When I took a bite, I was pleasantly surprised by just how much chocolate hazelnut spread there was. They certainly lived up to their name, Waf-Fulls. The waffle itself was soft yet satisfyingly sturdy, making for a filling snack. Combined with the rich, indulgent flavour of the chocolate hazelnut spread, it was a winning combination.

I’d go so far as to say this was a better treat than a standard chocolate bar, something a bit different, and definitely a step up. It’s a resounding thumbs up from me!

Fox's The Snowman and the Snowdog Gingerbread Minis (Iceland) By @Cinabar

While rummaging through the cupboards for post-Christmas snacks, I was delighted to discover Fox's The Snowman and the Snowdog Gingerbread Minis. These little biscuits are the perfect companion to a hot chocolate on a chilly afternoon. After all, biscuits and hot drinks are a match made in heaven, especially for someone like me who loves a good dunk!

Opening the box, I was pleased to find a generous amount of mini gingerbread men inside. However, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of gingerbread dogs, which the product’s name had led me to expect. It seems the title is more about referencing the classic film than reflecting the contents, which are exclusively gingerbread men.

I tried one and was impressed by its satisfying snap, these are firm biscuits, not the soft and chewy kind. The flavour struck a lovely balance: sweet enough to be enjoyable, with a gentle warmth from the ginger that doesn’t overwhelm. They’re subtly spiced and wonderfully moreish. I quickly polished off three before remembering I was meant to share them!