The Unofficial Ice Cream thread
- Thread starter GNO
- Start date
Driven2lift
Legend
Oh god sounds good, I'm ok with BnJ's M&C, and we know they can pull off a good PB when they want to
The Solution
Legend
It's a PB swirl but they are using basic Oreo cookies not the good ones like in milk and cookies (chocolate chocolate chip cookies)
May not be as good of quality but time will tell
booneman77
Legend
Honestly b&j is on a roll lately with the new flavors. Really liked what was teased in the survey too
The Solution
Legend
I would like to see what you have to say after you have a few pints of Handels, Ample hills, and Graeters I do not think you have had them really?. It may alter your outlook on B&J.
If Graeters CnC or Buckeye are some top tier flavors as well as Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip as a base flavor
Ask GNO after we had an 1870 tower. i think the guys life forever changed on ice cream haha.
Ample hills Nonn'a D Oatmeal cookie ( think you had oatmeal cookie chunk, if not you would love it)
Snap Mallow Pop (Basically rice krispy in ice cream form)
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake,
Raw Deal (If you love cookie dough)
Handels Spouse like a house (PB Filled Pretzles) bigger than Chubby Hubby (which i think you loved)
graham Central Station (Basically similar to cinnamon buns with chocolate chunks added in)
CCDD (two times the amount of cookie dough + better base)
Choc PB Brownie (Choc/PB Base + Brownies + PB Swirl)
Twixler (Twix broken down into ice cream)
Buckeye (Pretty straight forward here if you love Choc/PB)
Cotton Candy // Bday Cake (sleepers)
Midnight Madness (Dark Chocolate Ice cream, PB Oreos, + Peanut butter swirl)
Oreo dough (Oreo's + Cookie Dough + Vanilla base)
All of these may be worth a scoop, next time your in pitt hit up handels LLN
I do agree that B&J has really stepped up their flavors in the last few years...
Salted Caramel Brownie Ale, Candy Bar Pie, PB Half Baked, Roasted and Toasted were all worth quality scoops.
I hope to see them continue to trend with seeing variations in new mix-in features, marshmallow/pb swirls, and some more PB (like the base in what a cluster), Coffee, and Dark Chocolate bases (which are so much better than their regular chocolate)
booneman77
Legend
I don't disagree at all that some of those super premium, handmade ones are far superior. I haven't tried many of them but they are great. The reason I'm such a b&j fan tho is two reasons, first, the variety... As a big, corporate type brand they can have way more options than a small premium co. This is always nice when you're just feeling odd things. Second is accessibility/convenience. You can get b&j almost anywhere anytime which is really nice. If handels or ample was easier to find I'm sure they'd be better but combine access, price, and options and b&j makes up for what it may lack in extreme quality.
GNO
Well-known member
Handels does have a lot of variety too, just not as accessible. One of, if not my favourite, flavour from them is coconut crème pie.
The Solution
Legend
Graeters has around 30+ Flavors including the gelato line. If you are around pitt you can grab them in grocery stores with ease. You may see some down south when you were around the ATL. Head into a giant eagle and usually they will stock a minimum 15-20 flavors to choose from.
Handels near 40+ and they are mostly a NE Chain, but everything is made in house as premium ice cream. hell Handels may offer more flavors than B&J does at the given moment depending on how many seasonals they have and B&J offers.
Just an example from one place, there may be more depending on location. They are exapanding and just opened a shop in Vegas and will continue to expand in the future as business continues to increase.
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Ample HIlls may not have the most diverse menu, but they are exotic with how they flavor their products, plus the quality is a bit ahead of your average B&J Connoisseur . I highly suggest the 6 pack on goldbely for 70$ if you really want to try some good stuff back when you are in the US or around Brooklyn.
The Solution
Legend
Wegmans Peanut Butter Cup:
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All in All if you love peanut butter, or Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup this is a safe bet. A top notch peanut butter base similar to grounded peanut butter you could make in a whole foods. A semi-salty swirl with dense peanut butter flavor, and reese's mini's added to the base to make a trio for peanut butter lovers. The 350+ kcals a serving may turn some people away, but if you are a peanut butter lover have no regrets and pick this up!
Grade: B+
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All in All if you love peanut butter, or Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup this is a safe bet. A top notch peanut butter base similar to grounded peanut butter you could make in a whole foods. A semi-salty swirl with dense peanut butter flavor, and reese's mini's added to the base to make a trio for peanut butter lovers. The 350+ kcals a serving may turn some people away, but if you are a peanut butter lover have no regrets and pick this up!
Grade: B+
mkretz
Well-known member
Had Handel's cherry cordial last night. Pleasantly surprised. I was worried. Base could've had a stronger flavor but tons of chocolate and enough cherries. Also had gelato fiasco malt coffee... I love coffee ice creams but this was just way too strong for me. Couldn't finish it
The Solution
Legend
mkretz
Well-known member
Yea I've had it and got it again its in my freezer
The Solution
Legend
McConnell's Double Peanut Butter Chip
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Overall I am a huge fan of Hybrid French Pot process and recommend that other ice cream companies step it up to this level of ice cream processing. Quality is always something I would suggest over quantity when it comes to premium ice cream. Ridiculous peanut butter mix-ins chunks that are reminiscent of Haagen Dazs Peanut Butter Pie and its swirls. The PB // Chocolate chips are great, and pack a ton of flavor into the pint. For being a chocolate and peanut butter lover this is a must try. This is a dense ice cream that holds a creamy consistency from first bite to last.
Grade: A-
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Overall I am a huge fan of Hybrid French Pot process and recommend that other ice cream companies step it up to this level of ice cream processing. Quality is always something I would suggest over quantity when it comes to premium ice cream. Ridiculous peanut butter mix-ins chunks that are reminiscent of Haagen Dazs Peanut Butter Pie and its swirls. The PB // Chocolate chips are great, and pack a ton of flavor into the pint. For being a chocolate and peanut butter lover this is a must try. This is a dense ice cream that holds a creamy consistency from first bite to last.
Grade: A-
jaredmus
Active member
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Had this baby last night
OVerall the taste is spot on just what the flavor describes nice balance, nice caramel swirls, Their are peanut in every single bite obv they are hard and you chew them . I really enjoyed this and would RESCOOP this any day if looking for something a little outside the typical CHOC/PB Ice cream
Gets a B+ In my book
Had this baby last night
OVerall the taste is spot on just what the flavor describes nice balance, nice caramel swirls, Their are peanut in every single bite obv they are hard and you chew them . I really enjoyed this and would RESCOOP this any day if looking for something a little outside the typical CHOC/PB Ice cream
Gets a B+ In my book
The Solution
Legend
Grab hazelnut chocolate chip next or sea salt caramel both top notch flavors
jaredmus
Active member
As of now Sea salt caramel is the best of what I have tried
1- sea salt caramel
2- Choc PB cup
3-salted caramel peanut
4- Tahitian Vanilla bean
5-Coffee Toffee-- surprised I am not a huge coffee guy but this was good
6-Southern butter pecan
7-Black Rasp choc chip- not one for berry ice cream really
Hazlenut choc chip is next on the horizon and oatmeal raisen for Talenit! BEcause its always on sale at shoprite
The Solution
Legend
Oatmeal is kinda meh.. its ok.. but Oatmeal Cookie Chunk B&J crushed it... RIP
Grab Ample Hills Oatmeal since you live in NY if you can.
Grab Ample Hills Oatmeal since you live in NY if you can.
The Solution
Legend
Ample Hills Chocolate Milk & Cookies:
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Ample Hills is off to a good start. While the ice cream took me by surprise on how light the consistency is, that was made up for in chunks of cookies from top to bottom. Half way through the pint it started to resemble 70% cookies and 30% milk chocolate ice cream. If you are a chocolate and cookie lover you will want this in your freezer instantly. Since AH is out of Brooklyn, those in the mid-west or west coast may have to purchase online. I would give it a crack after my first AH experience.
Grade: B
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Ample Hills is off to a good start. While the ice cream took me by surprise on how light the consistency is, that was made up for in chunks of cookies from top to bottom. Half way through the pint it started to resemble 70% cookies and 30% milk chocolate ice cream. If you are a chocolate and cookie lover you will want this in your freezer instantly. Since AH is out of Brooklyn, those in the mid-west or west coast may have to purchase online. I would give it a crack after my first AH experience.
Grade: B
booneman77
Legend
Is that the one in the box? I saw it for the first time down here in Louisville last night... never heard of it before that.
The Solution
Legend
it is
i had a very bad experience with them before as did many others... they are very very hit or miss
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booneman77
Legend
what ones have you tried? I was eyeballing the bourbon ball
The Solution
Legend
PBI reviewed Simply Southern. I know you like pecans
dunno if Mkretz had this one
[video=youtube;JD3dmeBAlDY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD3dmeBAlDY[/video]
and brown butter peanut brittle
[video=youtube;MF34OkwJMzA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF34OkwJMzA[/video]
booneman77
Legend
Haven't seen either of those here
The Solution
Legend
Review above. Your about to get a mediocre offering. It is honestly not very good. You would of been better re-scooping some ben and jerry flavors. The mix-ins are very lacking which I know you do enjoy. The Coconut is underwhelming and there was 0 hint of White chocolate (which may turn you down) hopefully you have a better experience.
Boone i found it at Whole Foods when I was in Columbus
MidwestBeast
Legend
If you end up back in Louisville again, hit me up ahead of time and we can grab some ice cream.
As I'm sure you've already experienced this morning, the snow has made things a madhouse around here so no chance of me being able to head up there.
GNO
Well-known member
cubsfan815
Well-known member
We took our daughters to Comfy Cow last year while doing a little weekend visit to Louisville. I thought the idea of "Flights" was pretty cool. I had Bourbon Ball ,Arnold Palmer, and Sangria. I figured since it was a flight, I'd stick to drink themes.
It was too long ago to remember exact, I just know the bourbon one tasted like straight up alcohol. No complaints lol.
It was too long ago to remember exact, I just know the bourbon one tasted like straight up alcohol. No complaints lol.
The Solution
Legend
booneman77
Legend
haha I'm dying laughing at the "snowmageddon" comments and everyone freaking out... its like 2" MAX. silly people
GNO
Well-known member
People in Canada hope for 2" on Christmas because they like a white Christmas without a big hassle ha
mkretz
Well-known member
First off all the bases are nowhere nearpremieum in terms of richness, some of the flavors however have been very good and unique
Southern comfort
Base has alcohol hint to it but not overpowering, I hate alcohol and still very much enjoyed it, avg. Amounts of mix ins pecans are great pie pieces are great, a swirl would help alot,
Secretariet
White chocolate base is not strong enough for me. Lots of blueberry cobler pieces which were great but this one def. Needs a blueberry swirl
O my chess pie
Brown butter base is great, not super strong but unique. Lots of great chess pie pieces I love swirls so a carmel swirl would be great imo
Peanut brittle
Brown butter base is great again. This one doesn't need a swirl, so much carmel and peanut brittle. High quality brittle too
The Solution
Legend
The Solution
Legend
Ample Hills The Raw Deal:
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Being a cookie dough fan, I have to rank this one towards the top of my all-time favorites. It is hard to crown something above Handel's CCCD & 2nd Street Cookie Dough as a basic cookie dough offering, but this brought the heat. Ample Hills again brings a ton of mix-ins, and a delicious creamy base of ice cream. As the vanilla ice cream melts on your spoon you are left with thick globs of cookie dough in every single bite. The size of the cookie dough mix-ins begins to overpower the amount of ice cream in every single bite. The ratio of mix-ins to ice cream tends to slide in favor of mix-ins after breaking the initial layer of ice cream. Cookie Dough fans that love brown butter will want to scoop this in seconds.
Grade: A-
15% off GoldBely.com (LemonBar159)
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Being a cookie dough fan, I have to rank this one towards the top of my all-time favorites. It is hard to crown something above Handel's CCCD & 2nd Street Cookie Dough as a basic cookie dough offering, but this brought the heat. Ample Hills again brings a ton of mix-ins, and a delicious creamy base of ice cream. As the vanilla ice cream melts on your spoon you are left with thick globs of cookie dough in every single bite. The size of the cookie dough mix-ins begins to overpower the amount of ice cream in every single bite. The ratio of mix-ins to ice cream tends to slide in favor of mix-ins after breaking the initial layer of ice cream. Cookie Dough fans that love brown butter will want to scoop this in seconds.
Grade: A-
15% off GoldBely.com (LemonBar159)
The Solution
Legend
Found Cake My Day at Super Walmart:
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mkretz
Well-known member
Also had ice cream jubilee marionberry this weekend. The mix ins of grahm and mmarionberry swirl are good but the base which seemed to be a plain vanilla had an odd texture and flavor to it.... Same thing in their matzo crack pint which honestly one of the biggest let downs ever. Funky base barely any mix ins and mix ins lacked flavor big time
MidwestBeast
Legend
Wife and I were watching Unique Sweets or whatever the show is and saw Ample Hills on there. That segment definitely made me want to try their ice cream lol. May have to bite the bullet at some point and have some shipped.
The Solution
Legend
MidwestBeast
Legend
Appreciate it, bro.
My mind still has a hard time wrapping around that, though (I understand it's worth it for quality product, but my budget-sense self is like ''you can buy much more B&J for that price!" lol).
The Solution
Legend
Yeah. well same could be said with a lot of people who buy a lot of supps that collect dust or are not worth their dime, and wont really give them the results they want. Could add up to a lot of lost money over time. We all have been there done that.
You get what you pay for. AH is quality. If you lived in brooklyn it would be far cheaper due to being local.
But taste wise, a lot of the flavors I have had so far topped a lot of B&J pints for consistency in mix-ins (The raw deal cookie dough was ridiculous) from top to bottom, and a superior base of ice cream. It wont be the same for everyone. but GNO can even chime in and tell you he really appreciated his order after i gave him the nod to try it out.
Sure you can get a lot more B&J, but you also have probably had a lot of the flavors. so you are going to go into that piint again and again and again at a law of diminshing returns.
I can also buy a lot of phase 8 protein at BOGO, but am i getting what is on the label or a good product? most likely not.
You get what you pay for. AH is quality. If you lived in brooklyn it would be far cheaper due to being local.
But taste wise, a lot of the flavors I have had so far topped a lot of B&J pints for consistency in mix-ins (The raw deal cookie dough was ridiculous) from top to bottom, and a superior base of ice cream. It wont be the same for everyone. but GNO can even chime in and tell you he really appreciated his order after i gave him the nod to try it out.
Sure you can get a lot more B&J, but you also have probably had a lot of the flavors. so you are going to go into that piint again and again and again at a law of diminshing returns.
I can also buy a lot of phase 8 protein at BOGO, but am i getting what is on the label or a good product? most likely not.
GNO
Well-known member
I have purchased ice cream online at a high cost in the past and thought it was mediocre. But, every AH pint of the 6 pack I got were great so even though the per pint price was high I don't regret it.
The Solution
Legend
MidwestBeast
Legend
All of your points are right on the money. And I completely understand that.
I'm just saying despite knowing all this and fully recognizing it, there's that part of my brain that's conditioned to save, scour for deals, etc., it's still really hard to get over that hump. What I will likely do is wait until a birthday or some bigger event when I feel like I can justify it (again, knowing it doesn't need to be justified) and do it then. The segment with the owner/creator was really cool and between that, along with the reviews from you and others, I'm looking forward to trying it. If I lived in NY or had any desire to travel that way, I'd do it out there, but I'll be honest -- I have no real desire to go that direction (at this point in my life). So $70 for a few weeks of delicious ice cream treats is way better than springing a few hundred for a plane ticket to go buy cheaper ice cream lol
The Solution
Legend
Just letting you know that 70$ would be very delicious indeed
i may be spending a pretty penny on myself for a cake or desserts for my birthday in march, so i feel your pain there.
i may be spending a pretty penny on myself for a cake or desserts for my birthday in march, so i feel your pain there.
mkretz
Well-known member
It's worth it, only thing stopping me from getting more is that they are supposed to be coming out with new flavors
The Solution
Legend
there are more AH flavors in scoop shops. Online they are selected to a lower amount.
The Solution
Legend
[video=youtube;RxLejtVjBUc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxLejtVjBUc[/video]