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The Unofficial Ice Cream thread

Ample Hills The Eye Opener

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Great flavor, and really hit the spot on my taste buds. First I love coffee and this base was very good. I have not had Salt & Straw's coffee yet, but I imagine this may rival it for the best coffee base out there next to Jeni's Black Cat Espresso which used real beans from Chicago. The mix-ins were consistent from top to bottom. It amazes me how well Ample Hills makes these in-house and continues to keep them extremely fresh and prevent them from getting rock hard even in an ice cream. If you enjoy coffee, and liked It Came from Gowanus, you should venture this path even though it excludes the crack cookies which is the GOAT mix-in from Ample Hills.

Grade: A-
 
I'm trying hard not to look in here right now but I can't help but peek
 
On occasion damn right I will

But this thread makes me want it 24/7
 
New AH Flavors:

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Candy Cane: Peppermint ice cream with organic crushed peppermint candies.

Egg Nog: Your favorite holiday drink in ice cream form! Made with nutmeg, cinnamon and a splash of rum!

Festival of Lights: Cream cheese ice cream with pieces of chocolate Rugelach (made with walnuts) from Margaret Palca Bakes.

Cranberry Gin Fizz: Cranberry sorbet made with cranberry puree, lime and gin. Vegan!


Festival of lights is not available in the choose your own story..
AH Is slacking.
 
The Solution said:
New AH Flavors:

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Candy Cane: Peppermint ice cream with organic crushed peppermint candies.

Egg Nog: Your favorite holiday drink in ice cream form! Made with nutmeg, cinnamon and a splash of rum!

Festival of Lights: Cream cheese ice cream with pieces of chocolate Rugelach (made with walnuts) from Margaret Palca Bakes.

Cranberry Gin Fizz: Cranberry sorbet made with cranberry puree, lime and gin. Vegan!


Festival of lights is not available in the choose your own story..
AH Is slacking.
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bummer. thats far and away the best sounding. others are meh... kinda boring. I'm sure they're done well but just basic flavors
 
Ample Hills PB Wins the Cup
Grade: A-

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My expectations were high, and they were not let down. A premium base, incredible mix-ins, and a peanut butter lovers dream come true. Between this and PB For President its hard to decide what I like better, but I would probably give the edge to PB 4 President due to the cake pieces offered. The cups were fantastic and reminded me of Ben & Jerry's PB Cup with how big they were from top to bottom. The chocolate flakes were basically a broken chocolate bar that helped add texture and crunch to this offering. Solid around the board and a good grade from me.
 
Little G's Update on new flavors in the works:

peanut Butter Half Baked
Oatmeal Cream Pie
Candy Bar

yeah I am REAL Excited about these!!!!!

[video=youtube;DyzuTM94G9U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyzuTM94G9U[/video]

Start at 31 Minutes.
 
Ample Hills' Mr. Fox's Scrumdiddlyumptious Crunchy Cider Caramel

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Grade: B

While that is a bit disappointing the apple cider caramel swirl would be epic with those cookies. IT may have been laced somehow into the base, but I really did not find it. Besides that I have 0 complains about the cookies and base. Both were top notch as expected from Ample Hills. The only downside is I have to downgrade the score a touch. Overall a great seasonal pickup. If you love molasses cookies you will thoroughly enjoy this pint.
 
Ample Hills No Sleep Till Pumpkin
Grade: B+

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Combine a coffee lover ice cream base with basic bitch tendencies (pumpkin) ooey gooey butter cake and its a phenomenal combination. Ample Hills is very good with the consistency of the mix-ins from top to bottom, and the ice cream is super premium. This flavor does temper quick like the other coffee Flavor (Eye Opener) which gives it a slight downgrade. The amount of ooey gooey pumpkin buttercake was loaded from top to bottom like the light side. Nearly every single bite is packed with thick, chewy, and delicious pumpkin flavored cake pieces. Truly a very good pint especially for those who love coffee, pumpkin, and buttercake.
 
Nestle is shutting down here soon for new machinery.

Haagen Dazs is bringing a White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle that Klutzy tasted and said was amazing.

+an Irish Cream, a Gingerbread/Ginger Cookie, and a bunch more alcohol theme pints
 
Lake Effect Pumpkin Gingersnap
Grade B+:
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If you were to ask me ranking the bases alone this is right up there with Handel's and Coldstone Pumpkin Cheesecake. Talenti falls a bit behind, and Turkey Hill came in last. The reason why Turkey Hill is so damn good is the graham cracker swirl could be one of the best swirls ever made in a seasonal ice cream. Something Talenti and Coldstone lack being pure bases. If you ask me Lake Effect would be a complete A with a graham cracker or marshmallow swirl. With just the cookies alone it is still a high quality grade. I really have no complains with how good the base is, and how many cookies there are, but I think there is a missing element that could make this just that much better.

Grade: B+
 
Salt & Straw Oregon Honeyed Rocky Road
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Salt and Straw struck gold with this pint. Not only is the chocolate base on point, the swirl took this pint over the top. I wish there was more consistency with the candied hazelnuts, but beggars can't be choosers. I would highly suggest this pint if they offer it again next year as I was very pleased from first bite to last. There is not too much bad I can say about this pint.
Grade: A-
 
Salt & Straw Cocanu’s Coffee & Craque
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Overall the base alone was worth the scoop. The added cocoa nibs had fantastic chocolate flavor that melted in my mouth, but did not pack the candied aspect I was looking for. Would i repurchase this pint? Probably not, but I would like to see Salt and Straw make more Coffee based flavors.

Grade: C+
 
The Solution said:
Salt & Straw Sauvie Island Grapes PB&J
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Grade: A-

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Not only is this paradise for PB&J Lovers, but the quality of the peanut butter, ice cream, and jelly combination is the best I have had. If you thought B&J Swirled of Difference was good this absolutely pisses on it. Thick swirls coating from top to bottom is a trademark as S&S provides incredible consistency from pint to pint. I have nothing bad to say about this. If you like PB & J this is easily a must get next year in November. Do not sleep on this and buy multiple pints in your 5 pack.
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This looks like far and away the best pb&j I've ever seen. What is the base? Just plain vanilla?
 
The Solution said:
That's because you don't invest in quality ice cream because of your travel schedule.

Taste is not recorded through a picture your judging a book by its cover.

Grab yourself a pint next year and get back to me
LLN can vouch as well as mkretz and GNO how good this flavor truly is. I can bet you each one of them will tell you it's the best PB and J mixture offered.

You don't need to get fancy to make top notch ice cream if the elements provided are of superior quality .
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Thanks for the lecture on how to eat ice cream... you didn't answer the question about the base flavor tho?
 
The Solution said:
Yes it's vanilla
Your missing the point. Your judging something you have never tried and won't invest in. To form an opinion based off looking at a picture has no merit.

I could post a picture of a cheeseburger that has a pound of bacon and tons of cheese. Does not mean it's good even it looks good. Could be dry, over cooked and have crap quality.

Looks don't tell the final story

The best pint I had in 2016 looks far from great ice cream but all the elements involved nailed the flavor. I'll post it this weekend
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Thus why I said "this LOOKS like the best". I don't need a lesson on how to judge food.

Also, "you're"^
 
The Solution said:
That's because you don't invest in quality ice cream because of your travel schedule.

Taste is not recorded through a picture your judging a book by its cover.

Grab yourself a pint next year and get back to me
LLN can vouch as well as mkretz and GNO how good this flavor truly is. I can bet you each one of them will tell you it's the best PB and J mixture offered.

You don't need to get fancy to make top notch ice cream if the elements provided are of superior quality .
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Wait so he said this *looks* like the best PB&J and then you proceed to chastise him before agreeing that it is the best PB&J.

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Salt & Straw Sauvie Island Grapes PB&J
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Grade: A-

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Not only is this paradise for PB&J Lovers, but the quality of the peanut butter, ice cream, and jelly combination is the best I have had. If you thought B&J Swirled of Difference was good this absolutely pisses on it. Thick swirls coating from top to bottom is a trademark as S&S provides incredible consistency from pint to pint. I have nothing bad to say about this. If you like PB & J this is easily a must get next year in November. Do not sleep on this and buy multiple pints in your 5 pack.
 
New Little G's for Jan:

Puppy Chow -- PB Ice Cream, Chocolate PB Fudge Swirl, and Pieces of Puppy Chow
Go Banana's - Brown butter ice cream, Banana Bread, Candied Walnuts, and Chocolate Chips
Going to the Circus - Animal Cracker Ice Cream, Chunks of Frosted Animal Crackers, Sprinkles, and Pink Frosting Swirl
Cowboy Cookie: Brown Butter Sugar Ice Cream, with Oatmeal Cookie Dough, PB Swirl, Chocolate Chips, and Toasted Coconut Flakes

2 more flavors to still be announced.
 
Could see this on Friday for the Jan Flavors from Salt and Straw:

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Salt & Straw’s interpretation of this trio of ingredients starts with a banana pudding ice cream, mixes in Marionberry Jam from Oregon Hill Farms and adds homemade peanut butter-bacon butterfingers.

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Found this on sale at Kroger tonight so I picked it up. Pretty solid for the cals/serving.

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Invalid Link Removed finally got around to trying this. Consistency is the same as all the other new ones (much creamier). Flavor is very sweet. More like a black cherry vanilla. Heavy on the sweet and not much if any tart/cherry to it. A solid taste, but could use more cherry aspect.
 
Salt & Straw Jan Lineup

- Happy Birthday Elvis (should include peanut butter bacon butterfingers)
- Oregon Black Truffle
- Foie Gras Oatmeal Raisin Cream Pie
- The universe V
- Champagne & Candied Pear Sorbet
 
Can't remember -- which are the best Gelato Fiasco flavors (also, any to specifically avoid)? Found a few at my Kroger and I think I remember you guys saying Espresso Chip, but wanted to know for sure before pulling the trigger.

Thanks!
 
MidwestBeast said:
Can't remember -- which are the best Gelato Fiasco flavors (also, any to specifically avoid)? Found a few at my Kroger and I think I remember you guys saying Espresso Chip, but wanted to know for sure before pulling the trigger.

Thanks!
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Almond Butter Chocolate Chip
S'mores
Espresso Chip
Mascarpone Pistachio
Peanut Butter
 
MidwestBeast said:
Can't remember -- which are the best Gelato Fiasco flavors (also, any to specifically avoid)? Found a few at my Kroger and I think I remember you guys saying Espresso Chip, but wanted to know for sure before pulling the trigger.

Thanks!
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Espresso chip ONLY if you want a true espresso flavor (literally almost zero chocolate). Like eating a bean.

Dark choc sea salt caramel is far an away my #1 as you can really taste every element in each bite.

Maine blueberry Crisp is amazing so long as you get one that has a good amount of berry/cobbler in it. You can just look and see tho so it's easy to find a good one.
 
Thanks, guys! I'll be picking one up when I'm back home. Was so excited to see it, but was leaving the next day and wanted to double check vs. taking a gamble.

Went to a new (huge) HyVee in Peoria today and scouted out everything I hadn't seen before or just know I don't have regular access to. Ended up grabbing a quart in honor of The Solution called Uncle Bob's.

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After reading that article, I figured that was the one worth gambling on. I'll report back later. :food:
 
MidwestBeast said:
Thanks, guys! I'll be picking one up when I'm back home. Was so excited to see it, but was leaving the next day and wanted to double check vs. taking a gamble.

Went to a new (huge) HyVee in Peoria today and scouted out everything I hadn't seen before or just know I don't have regular access to. Ended up grabbing a quart in honor of The Solution called Uncle Bob's.

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After reading that article, I figured that was the one worth gambling on. I'll report back later. :food:
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Unless there's almost one of the mix ins listed that looks like a guaranteed winner. All things good in there
 
booneman77 said:
Espresso chip ONLY if you want a true espresso flavor (literally almost zero chocolate). Like eating a bean.

Dark choc sea salt caramel is far an away my #1 as you can really taste every element in each bite.

Maine blueberry Crisp is amazing so long as you get one that has a good amount of berry/cobbler in it. You can just look and see tho so it's easy to find a good one.
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Dark Chocoalte Sea Salt Caramel may be the best non-mix in gelato out there and very macro friendly.

Mascarpone if you never had could be their best flavor. Espresso Chip I love because of the chocolate mix-ins and the heavy coffee base.

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip is basically eating a jar of almond butter with chocolate chips in it.. Now who does not like that?
 
Salt & Straw Sweet Potato Casserole and Maple Pecan
The best ice cream I had in 2016. Make sure you get this next year if you have to order 5 pints off Salt & Straw


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Do you like Sweet Potato Casserole? If you do then you get everything you dreamed of thrown into a pint of ice cream. From the base to the mix-ins I have 0 complaints about this one.. This is easily one of the best ice creams I have ever had EVER. My favorite flavor off this line hands down.

Maple Pecans are sweet, crunchy, and have the perfect sugary aftertaste.
base is 100% Sweet Potato. Flavor is on lock.
Marshmallow Swirl? Think about eating Marshmallow Fluff.. Perfection on Salt & Straw's part here...

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Grade: A+
 
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Straight up delicious!
 
The Solution said:
New Little G's for Jan:

Puppy Chow -- PB Ice Cream, Chocolate PB Fudge Swirl, and Pieces of Puppy Chow
Go Banana's - Brown butter ice cream, Banana Bread, Candied Walnuts, and Chocolate Chips
Going to the Circus - Animal Cracker Ice Cream, Chunks of Frosted Animal Crackers, Sprinkles, and Pink Frosting Swirl
Cowboy Cookie: Brown Butter Sugar Ice Cream, with Oatmeal Cookie Dough, PB Swirl, Chocolate Chips, and Toasted Coconut Flakes

2 more flavors to still be announced.
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More Flavors announced:

Movie Night - Buttered popcorn ice cream with a mixture of the best chocolate, peanut butter, nougat and caramel candies
Peanut Butter Brownie Batter - Peanut Butter Ice cream with a brownie batter swirl
Maple Pecan French Toast - Maple Ice Cream with french toast chunks, candied pecans, and cinnamon cream cheese swirl

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Man. That maple pecan French toast could be unreal
 
NBC Nightly News just did a short story on Little G's. Didn't know that the owner is in high school and everything she's been through! I might have to order
 
BRUstrong said:
NBC Nightly News just did a short story on Little G's. Didn't know that the owner is in high school and everything she's been through! I might have to order
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17 years old and makes some great ice cream.

Order here:
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I would go:
Chocolate Milk & Cookies
Triple Cookie Dough
Maple Pecan French Toast
Snack Attack
Coffee Toffee Caramel
Chocolate PB Cup
 
Salt & Straw Apple Brandy & Pecan Pie

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First time having pecan pie in an ice cream, and indulging in an apple pie based ice cream. Both flavors go hand in hand, and the mix-ins were full of flavor. I really don't have a lot of bad things to say except the amount of brandy was a miss. For some people that will be awesome (especially myself not a drinker), but for those looking to get a good dose they will be upset. I only got about 4-5 pecan pie crust pieces inside this pint which was a miss as well. Seems to be lackluster for consistency in this pint as others have had the same issue.

Grade: B-
 
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