As Sam's Choice gets more and more rave reviews, I wanted to test another flavor that was an instant classic when it came to a gelato in Talenti's Sea Salt Caramel and 2nd Street Creamery's Copper Kettle Caramel to see where this truly ranks among the caramel flavors out there. I would have to say that before trying this, Sea Salt Caramel and Copper Kettle Caramel were my two favorite caramel pints I've had in the past, so lets see where this stands.
Sea Salt Caramel is Caramel Ice Cream with a Caramel Swirl and Sea Salt Truffles. As you pop the lid, you notice the glaring caramel swirl among the quart, and also small little chocolate pieces where the truffles are underneath the light looking caramel base. The overall flavoring of the caramel base is good, not great like Talenti or 2nd Street, but it's above average especially for only 230kcals per serving even though it doesn't give you the rich and creamy buttery caramel taste of others.
After digging in further to the pint I got to experience a few pieces of the truffle and of course the caramel swirl. I do have to say this, the caramel swirl is what makes this ice cream. It's so dominant and not lacking at all. The outsides of the container are literally globs of caramel and you just get other random chunks of caramel throughout the quart. The truffle pieces are no where near as much as you found in 2nd Street or Talenti. Talenti has enough that they're included in nearly every other bite or a couple per bite. This is maybe one small flake every few bites.
Overall this is a good pick up for the amount of calories (230) per serving. You get an incredible swirl, perhaps the best caramel swirl I have had. It is so rich and dense in flavor the caramel truly shines. The base is good, again not great like some others, but it's on par if not better than Ben & Jerry's. The truffle mix-ins are hit or miss, no where near as much as Talenti, around as much as in 2nd Street, but the pieces are far smaller and not as dense as those others when trying to compare it to competition.
Where Bob Found It: Walmart
Bob's Grade: B