Who sells the best mince pies?

[VintageNancy]

I live in the US but am on holiday in the UK and want to take a pack (or three) of mince pies home with me as they're nonexistent in America. So who makes the best?

Well after extensive taste testing Mince Pies over the years...

my favourite are Sainsburys Taste the Difference Mini Mince Pies.

The mini ones have the right pastry: mincemeat proportion. And there's just enough brandy to make them tangy.

I bought a pack of mixed ones last year (left it too late to buy my usual ones) but some of them had a weird 'banana' taste (though the Ecclefechan ones were nice)

The bog standrd ones tend to have very thick, doughy pastry.

Betty's of Harrogate are very highly acclaimed on the taste tests in magazines- available from Bettys by Post but ££

Marks and Spencer puff pastry are my favourite mince pies.

Greggs do a fantastic mince pie dusted with icing sugar. They are wide and flat and are utterly divine!!

Sainsbo's TTD or Greggs are both huge and yummy - much nicer than any others I've tried (inc Duchy and M&S).

The essential thing is to make sure the filling doesn't have any vinegar in it. Most commercial mincemeat has some vinegar in it which renders the whole thing disgusting. I seem to remember that Waitrose ones are acceptable!

M&S latticed mince pies are delicious and not too much pastry, failing that Co-op are also delicious.

I really love the Waitrose mini mince pies. Once I start eating them I just can't stop. They're dangerous!

Thank you for all the replies! I'd better do some serious testing so I don't fill my case with inadequate mince pies .

Bettys - I get one box delivered. I don't need more than a couple a festive season as they're so rich.

I usually buy m&s or waitrose mini ones are best IMO