| Date: |
02/12/2008
|
| Pie: |
M&S Connoisseur 6 All Butter Pastry Deep Filled Mince Pie. £2.99
|
| Cost: |
£2.99 |
| Score: |
64.8% |
A new box and a new pie for the M&S Connoisseur this year. We always look forward to this pie, a personal favourite of the Mince Pie Club. So much so, that we have a few from last year still in the freezer.
However, this year a disappointing results from M&S. The box and pie redesign did not go down well. In particular we were disappointed with the amount of sugar that had fallen off the pies and in to the packaging.
Come on M&S you can do better...
|
 |
| |
Pie Scores (0 to 5) |
| Visual Presentation: |
3.25 |
| Aroma: |
3.08 |
| Sugar Coating: |
3.21 |
| Size / Weight: |
3.33 |
| First Impressions: |
3.08 |
| Crust Thickness/Quality: |
3.46 |
| Filling Quality: |
3.58 |
| Filling Quantity: |
2.92 |
| |
|
| TOTAL (of 40) |
25.91 (54.8%) |
| VFM: |
0.53 |
| SD: |
3.75 |
Reviewers Comments and Guessed Origin
"A pie that failed to deliver. Nice buttery overtones from the crust backed up with a tough brandy foot providing a kick in the teeth. Couldn't help but think something was missing, like a cup without a handle rather than a jug full of ale. A pauper of the pie world dressed in sheepskin clothing. Perhaps Marks and Spencer furthermore?
Well that certainly had a kick to it...brandy content was...? Not presented as well as some, but again that could be due to it being hand made. Content tasted wonderful, the crust was top notch....so when it came down to it, visually it didn't score well, but the taste was lovely"
"Co-op: First impressions were mixed. An even, yet generous sugar coverage was spoiled by its visual sloppiness. This pie has more overhang than Michelle McManus, and like the singing whale herself, the pie is filled with an acidic centre. The poor quality of the brandy cuts through the fruit, like McManus cuts through slabs of cake at an all you can eat buffet. The crust was however very finely balanced. A tight, stable crust, with a buttery richness does attempt to do this pie justice, although that all important filling makes the pie fall flat on its face, very similar to McManus running the 400m hurdles, but without the promised after smile due to its rushed filling. "
"Asda ES? - Pretty reasonable all rounder, no frills, was disappointed with the pie after the aroma and exterior looked very good but the Pie itself was very mediocre. "
"Morrisons Finest? Good all round pie - but little initial aroma before biting into pie and did not look like much filling but what was there packed a bit of a punch with a suggestion of alcohol content or quasi alcohol flavouring that left a boozy aftertaste for some time. Pastry was not bad actually with a buttery undertone and would think if pie was warmed up slightly the whole ensemble would be even better. A pie that delivers more than meets the eye."
"It looked a little anaemic which was a little off putting however once the pie was bitten into the filling proved to be a good, with a strong alcoholic taste. "
"The pie appears to have been put together by a cowboy pie maker as the lid had more tilt than pinball machine. With a lop sided lid perhaps it's a Pisa Pie? Granular irregularity with the sugar coating is pleasing, and the casing decoration has Christmas overture. With a mild aroma of butter and brandy the first bite is agreeable. The post brandy hit on the taste buds is enough to quench any alcoholic yearnings, and there is congenial crunch of nuts. This is an above standard pie."
"Tasted the brandy (but did not dominate), not the best first impression but it warmed on me, unusual, good crust, even sprinkling of sugar coating. Filling half empty, but may have been enough - would buy this pie. Guess it is "Salisbury Special Brandy Selection" "
"M & S - Nice hint of Alcohol but not too much"
Packaging Description
6 all butter pastry deep filled mince pies - all butter shortcrust pastry deep filled with a rich fruity mincemeat with vine fruites, almonds, dried apricots and Courvoisier Vs Congnac
Nutrition Information (Per Pie)
| Energy |
280 kcal |
| Protein |
4.1g |
| Carbohydrate |
39.7g |
| Fat |
11.6g |
| Fibre |
1.5g |
| Salt |
0.18g |
Best Before: 08 Dec 2008
|
Comment by GUEST on 2008-12-20 14:47:51
i tried these pies and was disappointed - too much of an apple taste, the pastry was nothing remarkable (lacked the shortbreadines i like in all butter pastry) ..boozy but without the fullnes of flavour one would want for £2.99 A BOX. |
Comment by GUEST on 2009-01-06 14:37:14
I work at M&S and the amount of sugar that fell out of the boxes was incredible, after putting a display out I had to sweep up the sugar so that someone wouldn't slip on it! There were nice though :) |
|
