Reese’s Dipped Peanuts (Tesco) By @Cinabar

These are a new product from Reese’s, made specifically for the UK market. A lot of Reese’s goodies are usually imports, but these have the price printed with a British pound sign right on the bag. That in itself is nice, it feels good to find a proper new UK Reese’s product. Admittedly, they are just dipped peanuts, which doesn’t sound all that exciting. Half of the bag has peanuts coated in milk chocolate, the other half has peanuts coated in, wait for it, peanut butter. Everyone knows peanuts are already pretty peanutty, but I was happy to roll with the extra flavour and give them a try.

On opening the bag, I found a real mix of sizes, some were just bits of peanut, some were whole, and a few were even doubles. First up, I tried a milk chocolate one. It was exactly as expected: sweet milk chocolate with that lovely nutty crunch, balancing sweet and savoury. A classic combo, but done well. Next, I tried a peanut butter one, and I really liked it, the salty edge boosted the flavour and made the peanuts feel even more indulgent.

These snacks aren’t revolutionary, but they are tasty. More importantly, it’s just nice to see a genuinely new British Reese’s product on the shelves.

Penguin Chocolate Milkshake Cake Bars (Texaco) By @Cinabar

I spotted these Penguin Chocolate Milkshake Cake Bars on the counter at the petrol station when we stopped for a refuel. We’d already picked up some treats, but these were an impulsive last-minute addition. They were reduced and close to their best-before date, so I’m guessing they were the tail end of a summer special. Chocolate milkshake also feels more like a summer flavour than an autumn one.

Let’s be honest, chocolate milkshake is a bit of an odd choice for a flavour. I like it as a drink, but it’s not chocolate at its best, it’s milky, low in cocoa, and not something I’d expect to inspire a cake bar. Still, I opened the packet to see what they were like. Inside, there’s a light brown crème filling sandwiched with sponge, all covered in milk chocolate.

The taste is nice enough. They’re essentially just chocolatey cake bars, maybe a touch creamier than usual. I might have missed these over the summer, but I’ll happily enjoy them now before they’re gone. The flavour isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s perfectly pleasant.

Minecraft Ice Creams (Iceland) By @Cinabar

I’m definitely starting to think I should have tried these ice creams before the change in weather. We seemed to move very quickly from lovely warm days to me digging out jumpers to keep warm.

These new ice creams are blocky, as you’d expect from something Minecraft inspired. They have a green vanilla layer, a cocoa layer, and another vanilla section with blue “crystals” (crispy rice coated in blue). The Minecraft styling is spot on. Even without the packaging, it’s obvious these are based on the Minecraft world. I was actually pleased that the green section was more muted in colour than the box suggested. On the pack it looked like it was going to be a very bright grass green, but in reality it wasn’t garish at all.

The vanilla sections were creamy and sweet, nothing too exciting but pleasant enough. The blue crystals added a light crunch, broke up the texture, and looked fun, though they didn’t really add any flavour. The cocoa section had a stronger chocolate taste that was very nice, still smooth and creamy.

These lollies are clearly aimed at kids, and that’s probably why the flavours are so simple and easy going. The appearance and theming are great, but I do think they could have pushed the flavours further, especially for us big kids who still enjoy playing video games.

Maltesers Mini Reindeers - Gingerbread Flavour (Morrisons) By @Cinabar

Well, today marks the first Christmas-related product review of 2025. It is only just September, and I really think festive items should wait until after Halloween. For the record, there weren’t any Halloween products in our Morrisons, but the Christmas stock is already creeping onto the shelves.

 

This bag of Gingerbread Maltesers Mini Reindeers contains individually wrapped chocolates, which makes them perfect for lunch boxes or as a little treat with an afternoon coffee, without feeling the need to eat the whole bag in one go.

I unwrapped the first one and it looked pretty cute, moulded into a reindeer shape. Inside, the filling is a mix of gingerbread cream and little malt balls for that classic Maltesers crunch. The combination gives a nice texture, with both a soft centre and a subtle crunch. Flavour-wise, these are well balanced. The malt still comes through nicely, while the sweet, gentle ginger spice adds a festive twist without being overpowering. It might feel a bit early for Christmas treats, but these are tasty, and I’ll probably finish the bag well before the week is out.

McVitie's Hobnobs Dark Chocolate Flavour Chips Oaty Cookies (Sainsbury’s) By @Cinabar

You can’t beat a mug of hot chocolate and a new biscuit for dunking. That was the plan when I spotted these McVitie's Hobnobs Dark Chocolate Flavour Chips Oaty Cookies on the shelf in Sainsbury’s. The only clue that they were new was the little label on the shelf edge, as the packet itself didn’t shout about it.

Back at home, I put the kettle on and opened the packet. The aroma was instantly inviting, that classic Hobnob oaty smell with a good hit of chocolate. They looked promising, and I dunked one straight into my hot chocolate. Disaster. The biscuit gave up, crumbling into a mess of oat and chocolate specks. I gave it a second chance, this time without dunking, and found the texture still crumbly, but at least intact on its own.

Texture aside, the flavour is spot on. They have that wholesome Hobnob taste with plenty of oat, balanced by little bursts of dark chocolate. Not overly sweet, with the cocoa adding a slightly richer, grown-up edge. I found them very moreish, despite the mess they make. So yes, these are a dunking disaster, but eaten dry they’re absolutely divine.

Bournville Salted Caramel (Morrisons) By @Cinabar

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Bournville Hazelnut and mentioned how much of a treat it is when we get a new Bournville product. I even said I wished there were more varieties using Cadbury’s dark chocolate. Well, my chocolate wish must have been granted, because here we are with another new bar. Don’t get me wrong, my wish for a million pounds would have been nice too, but I’ll have to settle for more chocolate.

This new edition pairs Bournville’s classic dark chocolate with a salted caramel filling. On unwrapping the bar, the neat squares each had a smart ‘B’ stamped on them, and when I broke one open I was pleased to see a decent amount of caramel inside.

Bournville is a sweeter dark chocolate, not particularly high in cocoa, but I like that about it. It has just the right balance for my sweet tooth. The chocolate shell was satisfyingly thick, giving a good crack before releasing the gooey caramel onto my palate.

The caramel itself was smooth and tasty, more sweet than salty. If you’re looking for a big salty hit, you might find it a little tame, but I thought it worked really well. The combination of the mellow dark chocolate and soft caramel made it far too easy to keep going back for another piece.

Overall, this was a lovely, moreish treat, and I really do hope it stays around. Yum.

Walkers Sticky Teriyaki (Tesco) By @Cinabar

If the rumours are true, these new crisps from Walkers aren’t just another fun limited edition but could be a permanent addition to the UK crisp range.

The flavour is Sticky Teriyaki, inspired by the Japanese sauce. The thing with sauce-based flavours is that they often miss the meaty element you’d usually expect to go with them. I’ll admit I prefer meaty crisps, so that was already on my mind when opening the bag.

Inside, they looked like regular Walkers crisps: thin cut with a good coating of seasoning. On first taste they were bold and sweet, with a flavour that reminded me of barbecue sauce but with an extra kick of Asian spices. It was more Teriyaki-meets-sweet-barbecue than pure Teriyaki, and yes, there was that lack of meatiness I’d been expecting.

The flavour is okay, but not something I’d rush out to buy again. If Walkers decide to make this a permanent flavour, I won’t complain, but I also wouldn’t miss it if it had stayed as just a limited edition.

Costa Coffee Barista Creations Maple Hazel Latte (Iceland) By @Cinabar

It feels like autumn is creeping in, and this new box of Costa Coffee Barista Creations Maple Hazel Latte sachets couldn’t look more seasonal if it tried. I love autumn, so I was excited to give these a go.

When I opened the box, the first thing I noticed was the amount of air in there. The packaging looks like it could easily fit eight sachets, but inside there were only five. It felt a little disappointing before I’d even made a cup.

I put one sachet in a mug, added hot water, and it dissolved straight away. No lumps, just a nice frothy top, which looked very inviting. The flavour was spot on. The maple added a gentle sweetness, and the hazelnut brought a warm, nutty edge. Together they made a very moreish drink that really suited the season. I enjoyed every sip, I just wish Costa had been a bit more generous with the sachets.

McVitie’s Hobnobs Ice Cream (Iceland) By @cinabar

I know summer feels like it’s winding down, but I still have new ice creams to explore. This one really caught my attention, Hobnobs Ice Cream. I love the idea of turning a classic biscuit into an ice cream flavour.

I ordered it online with my grocery shop and, I’ll be honest, I’d hoped the tub would be bigger. It’s quite a small pot, but it looks great with the full Hobnobs branding. Inside, the ice cream is biscuit-flavoured with a golden syrup sauce swirled through as an added bonus. The ice cream was fairly firm straight from the freezer, but there were plenty of biscuit pieces mixed in and a generous amount of sauce. From the first spoonful my sweet tooth was in heaven. The base flavour is creamy, oaty, and unmistakably Hobnobs biscuit, it tastes properly indulgent. Then you get a hit of that golden syrup swirl and it becomes truly divine. Maybe the smaller tub is a blessing in disguise, this is so moreish that portion control is definitely needed.

If you’re a Hobnobs fan, this ice cream is an absolute must-try.

KitKat HoneyComb Flavour Buzz (B&M) By @cinabar

This Kit Kat was found in a UK store, but it is an import from Australia. It’s always fun to try Kit Kats from around the world, and honeycomb is a flavour that’s hard to resist. At first glance I thought this might be a UK bar, as all the writing is in English, but the addresses on the back are Australian.

This is a large sharing bar, covered in the usual milk chocolate. The aroma had an extra sweetness to it, though the milk chocolate was still the main scent. I broke off a couple of strips and, once halved, they looked just like a regular Kit Kat inside.

The taste, however, was noticeably different. As someone with a sweet tooth, I really enjoyed it. The honeycomb (or cinder toffee as I know it) added a lovely burst of burnt caramel sweetness to the familiar Kit Kat flavour. It was smooth and indulgent, if a little on the sweet side. The one thing missing was the texture. Honeycomb usually has a crunch, but here it was only the flavour that came through. Even so, it worked well and made for a tasty variation. It isn’t one of the wildest Kit Kat imports out there, but it’s still a good bar and a great pick for anyone who likes their chocolate on the sweeter side.

Aero Melts Double Choc Brownie Bakery Inspired (Morrisons) By @Cinabar

Aero has a new “bakery inspired” flavour out, this time based on Double Choc Brownies. Inside the bag are two shades of button, milk chocolate and white. I did wonder if the white ones were meant to represent Blondies, but the bag doesn’t make that clear.

I’m a fan of texture, and this is where Aero always shines. The aerated bubbles in these little buttons were lovely, giving that familiar light melt on the tongue. On texture alone, they absolutely deliver.

The taste was where things started to go wrong. The milk chocolate “Brownie” buttons were chocolatey at first, but quickly became overly sweet. Instead of a rich brownie flavour, they reminded me of cheap chocolate trying too hard.

The white buttons had the same problem. If they were meant to be “Blondies,” they didn’t pull it off. The flavour was again very sweet, and lacking the creamy balance I expect from white chocolate. Aero’s bubble effect was as good as ever, but the actual taste just wasn’t working for me.

Honestly, I think I’d have preferred a simple mix of regular milk and white chocolate Aero buttons. This bakery-inspired twist sounds good on paper, but in practice it didn’t live up to expectations.

Burton’s Fish and Chips - Prawn Cocktail (B&M) By @Cinabar

We often pick up the Salt and Vinegar edition of Burton’s Fish and Chips as it is a proper classic, so I was pleased to spot a new flavour on the shelves in B&M. These come in the same cute shapes, with the little fish and chip pieces that I always think look very cute. They are a savoury biscuit, crunchy but with a light airy centre, which makes them very moreish and easy to snack on.

The first thing I noticed was just how much seasoning there was. These little fish and chips were absolutely covered, which is always a promising sign. The flavour did not disappoint either. They were fully loaded with prawn cocktail, lots of tangy tomato, a sweetness in the background, and even a gentle peppery heat that caught at the back of the throat. There was also a sharp vinegar edge, balancing things out nicely.

I loved how full-on the flavour was. My fingers were even starting to turn orange from the seasoning, which is exactly how I like my snacks. These were a fun variation on a retro favourite, and definitely one I’d buy again.

If you’re a fan of bold flavours and don’t mind messy fingers, these are well worth picking up.

Kit Kat Chunky Funky (WH Smiths) By @Cinabar

This is a very pretty Kit Kat. I’ve complained before that Kit Kats in the UK aren’t the most exciting, especially compared to the wild flavours in Japan, but we do still get a steady stream of new ones to try. This latest edition is all about the look. It’s called Kit Kat Chunky Funky, which is surprisingly fun to say.

The bar has a chocolate wafer centre with a layer of vanilla crème, all coated in marbled milk and white chocolate with a white chocolate base. The wrapper is bright and cheerful, and when I opened it the bar looked just as good, lovely swirls of milk and white chocolate making it stand out. The contrast of the layers inside is spot on too.

In terms of flavour, the new part is the vanilla crème and the addition of white chocolate swirled into the milk chocolate. There are no bold Wasabi or Cherry Blossom-style experiments like Japan is enjoying right now, but this bar does look fabulous. Taste-wise it was very similar to a regular Kit Kat. The texture is the same, with the wafer layers giving way to the thick chocolate coating. The flavour reminded me of a standard milk chocolate Kit Kat, but with a creamier edge. It actually reminded me a little of Kinder Egg chocolate, thanks to the mix of the two types.

It’s a fun new bar for summer, and very Instagram-able, which I suspect is exactly what they were going for.

Strawberry Lemonade Refresher and Canadian Maple Donut (Tim Horton) By @Cinabar

Our local retail park has a new arrival, a Tim Horton’s! It’s taken over the space where Pizza Hut used to be, and I’m glad it hasn’t been left sitting empty. Tim Horton’s is a big name in Canada, especially for coffee and doughnuts, so I had to go in and see what all the fuss was about.

It was a warm day, so I went for something chilled, the Strawberry Lemonade Refresher, and, because I’m me, I had to order a doughnut as well.

The drink came over ice, not blended, and had the prettiest light pink colour. First sip and… wow. The lemon was sharp, zingy, and just what I needed in the heat. The strawberry added a gentle sweetness, but it was definitely the lemon running the show. Tangy, fresh, and dangerously drinkable.

Then came the Canadian Maple Donut. This one’s topped with maple-flavoured icing and filled with cream, and it looked every bit the indulgent treat. The icing had that lovely crisp bite before you hit the soft, fluffy doughnut. The maple flavour was rich and sweet, and the filling was thick, creamy, and almost custard-like. Honestly, it was one of those “don’t speak to me while I’m eating this” moments. The pairing worked perfectly, sharp, refreshing drink meets sweet, fluffy doughnut. A little Canadian sunshine right here in the UK.

Cadbury Bournville Chopped Hazelnut (Morrisons) – By @Cinabar

This is a rare treat, a new variety of Bournville chocolate. I’ve always had a soft spot for Bournville; it was probably my first taste of dark chocolate as a kid. I know it’s not gourmet and that most dark chocolates are stronger, but it has full-on cocoa flavour with enough sweetness to keep my sweet tooth happy. Usually, it’s just one of those bars that’s always on the shelves without much fuss, so finding something new and exciting from them was a surprise. I couldn’t resist picking this up, I love nuts and chocolate together.

When I opened the bar, the back revealed a generous amount of hazelnuts, which was a very promising sign. From the front, the pieces looked like regular Bournville squares. I broke one off and was impressed, the hazelnut is packed in, adding great texture and a rich, nutty taste. It pairs beautifully with the darker chocolate, making for a really satisfying flavour. I had one piece, then another… and another. I’ve now had to put the last couple of strips in the fridge for tomorrow, because this stuff is dangerously moreish.

Munchies Vanilla Cheesecake (Morrisons) Review By @Cinabar

I’m a bit obsessed with cheesecake, especially the baked kind. It’s one of those desserts that always takes me back to childhood. So when I saw Munchies had a Vanilla Cheesecake flavour, I had to try it. I was curious how they’d squeeze that classic cheesecake taste into a handful of chocolates.

Munchies always has that crunchy biscuit centre, and this one didn’t disappoint. The biscuit inside reminded me a lot of a Hobnob, nicely crumbly and proper wholesome tasting. Around that was a thick, creamy vanilla layer that nailed the cheesecake vibe. It had a little tang but stayed smooth and not too sharp.

Then there’s the usual Munchies milk chocolate on the outside,  thick and firm, which added the perfect touch of sweetness and balanced everything out. Honestly, they were lovely little treats.

If you’re into cheesecake or just fancy something a bit different from your regular grab bags, give these a go.

Red Leicester Quavers (Ocado) By @Cinabar

This is the kind of product that makes you stop and wonder if it’s just too similar to the regular version. Red Leicester Quavers sound interesting, but let’s be honest, could most people even name the standard Quavers flavour? It’s just a fairly generic “cheese” taste.

I love Quavers, so this isn’t me being disrespectful. They’re just not what I’d call a gourmet crisp. Red Leicester, however, is one of our favourite cheeses, so I was curious to see if I could taste the difference and whether it was worth it.

The bag is a bright orange, which stands out nicely, but the aroma is almost identical to regular Quavers. When I poured some onto a plate, the seasoning did look slightly different, a darker orange. I gave one a try, and it was lovely. Cheesy, yes, but with a little extra bite to the flavour, a touch more strength from the cheese, and a mellow, creamy finish.

The taste was distinctly Red Leicester. They’re still similar to the original, so I doubt they’ll stick around as a permanent variety, but, and this may be controversial, they’re nicer than regular Quavers. It’s Quavers with the volume turned up. These are the Quavers they should have made in the first place. Can we please keep them?

Lamb Kofta Flavour Crisps (M&S) By @Cinabar

Our local M&S is closing, and that does make me really sad. We had a huge branch with several floors, and it was one of the oldest M&S stores still going. I’ll really miss the foodhall, especially having easy access to all the wonderful treats they bring out each season. Their Christmas goodies are always a delight, and it’s going to be hard knowing I won’t be able to just pop in for all the seasonal bits.

We’re in summer now, and these new Lamb Kofta Flavour Crisps are part of their ‘Summer Edit’ range of foodie goodies. Lamb koftas are spiced lamb kebabs, usually served on a stick, and I was curious to see how that flavour would work as a crisp seasoning.

The packet says these are “extreme ridge”, which makes it sound like they should be almost V-shaped, but in reality, they just have a deep ridge that holds the seasoning well, not exactly extreme. I opened the bag and got a light spiced aroma, a bit like curry powder.

I gave one a try and it had a good crunch and plenty of flavour. I could really pick up on the cumin, followed by a mix of spices that gave them a decent depth. Sadly, I couldn’t really taste any meat or lamb. These were tasty crisps, but they were all about the aromatic spices. They weren’t hot with chilli heat, but they also weren’t meaty enough for my tastebuds.

Limited Edition Ritter Sport - Pistachio (Asda) By @Cinabar

Pistachio seems to be having a bit of a moment, it’s the flavour of the year, riding the wave of that pistachio-obsessed Dubai trend. I’ve tried a few pistachio-inspired treats recently, and while the Angel Hair chocolate wasn’t quite for me, I’m still a firm believer that nuts and chocolate are usually a winning combo.

This Ritter Sport Pistachio bar feels like a much simpler offering, and all the better for it. I snapped off a strip, and could immediately see it was generously packed with chopped pistachios.

The milk chocolate is smooth, sweet, and has that lovely creamy cocoa taste Ritter Sport does so well. What really makes this bar stand out, though, is the texture, loads of crunchy nut pieces throughout and the clever balance of flavours. There’s a hint of salt with the nuts, adding a subtle savoury edge that really makes the sweetness pop.

Honestly, I might finally be warming to the pistachio craze. This bar was absolutely delicious, satisfying, snackable, and one I’ll be picking up again before it vanishes off the shelves.

Swizzels Marvellous Mallows Drumstick (Morrisons) By @Cinabar

I buy marshmallows for hot chocolate sometimes, but they’re almost always unflavoured. In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen many flavoured marshmallows over the years. I’m not sure why, as it’s a lovely idea. Here we have a crossover product: Swizzels Marshmallows inspired by Drumstick sweets. For those who’ve never indulged, Drumsticks are raspberry and milk-flavoured chewy lollipops.

The bag is bright and eye-catching, and I could see the marshmallows inside were a decent size, perfect for nibbling or topping a hot chocolate. As soon as I opened the pack, I was hit with the fab smell of raspberry. Not just any raspberry either, it was unmistakably Drumstick-scented.

The marshmallows are a little more square than a Drumstick lolly, but they do share the same pink and white two-tone colour scheme. I gave one a try and was impressed straight away by the texture. Light, fluffy, and just gently chewy, exactly how a good marshmallow should be.

The flavour was a little milder than the strong aroma had suggested, but it was still distinctly Drumstick. The raspberry and cream came through nicely, and they were seriously moreish. They melt in the mouth and are quick to eat, so I found myself reaching for another… and then another.

I’ve had to put the bag in the cupboard to make sure there are some left for hot chocolate later!