In a world with more than enough salted caramel flavors rarely do you come across a version that pushes the boundaries of convention, or at the very least is different from the rest, most of which are the same in just about every way. It's nice to see a unique twist on a trendy, albeit old fashioned flavor. The caramel element in Salted Caramel Chip is a traditional caramel on steroids. They create a dry caramel with different types of sugar to give it an almost "rummy" flavor profile. The caramel is spun into their signature (truly) low (<10%) overrun, 18.5% butterfat base.
McConnell's has their own unique, melted chip process. The Guittard chocolate chips are melted just before their introduction into the ice cream base. When added, they splinter into oblivion. In the end product these shards or “chips” provide in each bite a delicious, evenly represented, melt in your mouth chocolate component.
All of McConnell’s “chip” flavors are made using their 57 year-partner’s (Guittard) chocolate chips. Guittard is easily one of the best chocolate companies in America.When you let a chip in a McConnell’s pint melt on your tongue, you can taste the quality of the chocolate. McConnell’s chose to contrast a bittersweet chocolate here against the sweetness of the caramel flavored base.
Boutique, artisan companies like McConnell's have the ability to take risks, and this one paid off big time. This is a salted caramel that is uniquely theirs. This pint provides a great counterpoint to all the other salted caramels out there, and is a great example of McConnell’s’ ability to showcase the flavor and textural elements high-end Guittard chocolate provides.
Where Elliot Found It: Straub's Market
Elliot's Grade: A
