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Original poster

So... What are the best mince pies?

470 replies

DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 21/11/2005 12:15

.. and i don't mean the crappy standard ones. i mean the finest ones ever. i was always partial to tesco 'finest' and sainsbury 'taste the diff' but someone last year recommended the next step up on the posh scale to 'Duchy Originals' which i've bought but haven't tucked into yet.

which are the very very best in your opinions?

OP posts:
Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 29/11/2005 10:05

SOMERFIELD LATTICE MINCE PIES

Taste Test 29.11.05

VERDICT: cheap looking, too much cinnamon and generally bogging.

OP posts:
Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 29/11/2005 10:06

I will submit my grading list in a few minutes time....

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 29/11/2005 10:06

That'll be quoted on the Somerfield pie box next year, just you wait.

Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 29/11/2005 10:16
  1. Waitrose All Butter - By far the best pie by a long shot. This is a superior pie and i'm not just saying that. right from the golden brown finish to the perfect, tangy filling.

  1. Tesco Finest - A surpise here. This is prob the most popular pie and given tesco's nature, will probably be on 50% to 60% of tables this xmas. This is an unusual pie. shallow and saucer like and kinda weird looking but the taste is lovely and it deserves to be at the top.

  2. M&S Luxury Deep Filled - A fine pie but like many other things M&S, doesn't quite meet the 'best of the best' requirements. M&S are getting lazy.

  3. Duchy Originals - Excellent pastry, terrible filling. Extremely expensive. The pastry is superior (similar to waitrose) but the filling really lets this pie down.

  4. Sainsbury's Taste the diff - Not all bad but too sweet, cheap gooey pastry and mediocre filling.

  5. Asda Extra Luxury - Not good. They look impressive but the filling is too strong and cheap tasting and the pastry is truly awful.

  6. Somerfield - Shouldn't even be on here. A truly minging pie.

OP posts:
Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 29/11/2005 11:51

nobody gives a sh*t anymore... and it hurts. it hurts bad.

OP posts:
FrenchKissUnderMistletoeGirl · 29/11/2005 12:24

oooohh poor you

it's just that we have all rushed out to purchase the top three

I got some more waitrose minis this morning

v naughty

FrenchKissUnderMistletoeGirl · 29/11/2005 12:25

here, have another mince pie (if you can still stomach them that is )

hunkermunker · 29/11/2005 12:28

I care but sugar levels too high to try even a Waitrose mini pie. Am for me. Don't expect anyone else to be though!

FrenchKissUnderMistletoeGirl · 29/11/2005 12:29

I am a little sad for you hunker, but if I get too sad might have to go and have a mince pie

am saving them to savour with dh tonight

Enid · 29/11/2005 12:33

agree with waitrose

dont agree with tescos being above duchy.

Pennies · 29/11/2005 12:34

Sorry DCNAYN. Too p'd off with Ocado who failed to deliver my fix this morning and can't get them to me until 10pm tomorrow night. I'm 39 weeks pregnant FFS - I need my pies .

Lovely review BTW, which I'm going to forward to my mate who is the bakery buyer for Sainsbury's!!!!! (he'll be v.v. upset)

Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 29/11/2005 12:43

Enid - yes, i know. it was a surprise but i couldn't ignore the blandness of the duchy filling and the crazy price.

OP posts:
NomDePlume · 29/11/2005 12:44

DC, you did the 'suger' thing again

Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 29/11/2005 12:46

what!!? NO!? it must be a weird mind block. i used to have serious trouble with they're/their/there awhile back no matter how many times people told me and I asked, I would still forget it.

OP posts:
NomDePlume · 29/11/2005 12:47

By DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose on Tuesday, 29 November, 2005 10:04:56 AM

M&S LUXURY DEEP FILLED MINCE PIES

Taste Test 29.11.05

VERDICT....

Initial impression is good. it's a large pie with suger on the top instead of icing suger and it has a nice little pattern on the top and one single little hole poked in the middle. The smell is weak

Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 29/11/2005 12:48

oh yes, i know. I saw it. I'm just amazed I did it!

OP posts:
NomDePlume · 29/11/2005 12:51
MrsDoolittle · 29/11/2005 12:58

We have just moved and we now live within a two mile radius of Waitrose!
Thsi is not good, dh is already complaining that this is likely to sabotage our money-saving schemes. Now I'm going to have to go and get some mince pies aren't I?

What about stollen though? New into Tescos, £1.69 for 6 slices. I have fallen in love with these and dd, 18 months, shovelled 3 in one after the other last week!! I saw stollen slices in Waitrose but dh wouldn't let me - they were £2.99 for 6!!!

GREATauntymandy · 30/11/2005 08:53

this thread still going?!!!!!!!!!

Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 30/11/2005 09:09

yes maam.

OP posts:
Bagpuss30 · 30/11/2005 09:28

Quick, Ocado have the mini ones back in stock!!

Original poster
DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose · 30/11/2005 11:37

hurrraahhhh! I've got my colleague getting me more. apparently they do big-ass 12 packs.

OP posts:
FrenchKissUnderMistletoeGirl · 30/11/2005 11:45

yes, have one in my cupboard

I could go and eat one now
if I wanted

hehehe

littledonkeyrach · 30/11/2005 11:46

Can I just mention that the Co-op mini ones are rather nice too? Nottoo heavy.

NomDePlume · 30/11/2005 11:49

I bought some more last night, I've got the kettle on ready...

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