[size=+3]AntM Reviews Controlled Labs Venture Bars/[/size]
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Profile
The profile is very similar to the leading protein bars out there currently. The bar is 67 grams, a little larger than a Quest or Mission 1 Bar. The bar contains 230 cals 10g of fat, 28g of carbs, 18g of fiber and 20g of protein. Depending on the flavor, macros will be a little different, but they are in the same ballpark.
Price
Venture Bars are priced around $22-$25 a box, which is the same price as Quest and Mission 1 Bars.
Texture/consistency
The bar is softer than a Quest Bar and a touch softer than the Mission 1 bars. With those two bars, if I have one straight out of the wrapper, I need to keep it in my pocket to make it softer. That is not needed with the Venture Bar. However, it does take on a laffy taffy texture in terms of chewiness. For the sake of this review, I did not warm it up or keep it in my pocket prior to eating it. I think if I had it in my pocket, it would not have been as chewy. The texture is also pretty much the same. It is that smooth bar with some mix ins, in this case peanuts. I do like the addition of peanuts because one, I like the flavor and two, it gives the bar some texture and breaks up the monotonous smooth texture. However, I wish there were more peanuts in the bar.
Taste
This is the Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge flavor. I am not the biggest fan of chocolate, but I love peanut butter. I can tolerate chocolate when there is enough peanut butter. With that said, there is enough peanut butter flavor. I would say the combo is 65/35 in terms of chocolate to peanut butter. Although when you get a peanut in the bite, I would say the ratio goes to 60/40. This is why I would like more peanut mix ins.
As soon as I took a bite, I was hit with peanut butter. My tastes buds love that. The more I chewed, the more the chocolate would come through and the peanut butter flavor would dissipate. Every single bite was like that. I only wish the peanut butter flavor stayed throughout the entire experience.
Overall
My rating is taking into consideration the bar and the flavor. First, the bar is great. It is priced nicely, macro friendly and has a great taste. I do enjoy the flavor, the chocolate is not overwhelming and the peanut butter is not hidden. I just wish there was more peanut butter.
I would make one change to this bar and I believe this single change would change the bar in two ways. I would add more peanut mix ins. I believe this would make for a better experience. I can't lie, but I enjoy the texture of NuGo, Carb Killa, Fit Crunch and Detour bars more because they have a crunch to them. There is texture to the bar that Quest, Mission 1 and Venture bars do not have, In addition, I believe that the extra peanuts would add more peanut butter flavor to the bar. I still have the give Venture bars an 8.5, I knew what the bars would be, texture wise, so I cannot take points off for that. This flavor falls just short of perfect in my book, mostly due to flavor preference. 8.5/10
