Wickedly Welsh – Advent Calendar Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by Julie Hayward
I must confess, I am already a fan of Wickedly Welsh Chocolate. If I am visiting Wales, I will always try to buy some, either as a gift or just as importantly, to treat myself. So, it was amazing to receive their Advent Calendar to review, and the fact that its only October, was even more of a privilege.
The box is midnight blue in colour, with snowdrops fluttering around a gold reindeer, and a sprig of mistletoe. ‘Merry Christmas’ is written, also in gold, across the middle of the box. The ‘Wickedly Welsh Chocolate’ logo is at the bottom, written in white, as are the 24 numbers for the doors, that are opened to reveal the daily selection of chocolate. The numbers are set out across the box in four rows of six, adding up to the required 24 days of Advent. If you choose to follow the numerical order, they are randomly arranged.
The reverse of the box has a clever perforated stand, that can be pulled out to display this product. A list of ingredients, allergy information and nutritional information, also the logo and their tagline ‘Handmade in Wales’ are both proudly displayed on the packaging.
Then the impressive list of 13 different flavours; raspberry cream in dark chocolate, orange dark praline, Madagascan vanilla white praline, lemon sherbet in white chocolate, salted caramel in milk chocolate, Welsh sea salt and dark chocolate, gingerbread crunch in milk chocolate, toasted marshmallow in milk chocolate, milk chocolate truffle, honey in dark chocolate, chai tea in milk chocolate, spiced milk praline and Christmas pudding.
Each of the flavours have a distinct Christmassy theme, the spiced milk praline reminds me of a warm mince pie, the chai tea in milk chocolate is also warming, as is the gingerbread crunch, and you can’t get much more in the spirit of Christmas, than the Christmas pudding, decorated with a green fondant sprig of holly and a red berry topping. You cannot fault the attention to detail, each chocolate is handmade; some are embossed with a Welsh emblem, others have a golden shimmer, the honey in dark chocolate is decorated with a sweet little bee.
My only minor criticism is that the cardboard used for the box, could have been a little sturdier, as one or two of the doors has ripped, as I have opened them. But I do like that they have labelled each interior side of the door, so as you open it, you can read the flavour, unlike some you need to refer to a list.
I think this selection of chocolates are aimed at an adult audience, not only because some are flavoured with alcohol vodka and brandy, but also because in my opinion, they are an indulgent luxury. I can imagine happily enjoying a chocolate on a cold winters evening, whilst writing my Christmas cards or wrapping gifts.
Wickedly Welsh Chocolate have produced the perfect excuse, to enjoy a little ‘me time,’ during such a hectic time of year.
Rating: 4.5/5
RRP: £19.99
Wickedly Welsh Chocolate -Advent calendar can be ordered from www.wickedlywelsh.co.uk
Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Company Ltd. Withybush Road, Haverfordwest, SA62 4BS. Telephone 01437557122