Handel's chocolate base could be one of the better ones I've come across. This is no mediocre Ben & Jerry's and this is a step up from the Graeter's base as well. This will not however, exceed Jeni's Dark Chocolate base which is the king of dark chocolate and chocolate ice creams overall. This has a very rich aftertaste and amazing initial burst like a dark chocolate Hershey bar in every single bite. This is far from lack luster.
The great thing about this pint is that it combined two complimentary flavors in peanut butter (small globs) and chunks of brownies (not flakes). It is clear that upon lifting up the lid there is a massive chunk of brownie in the center and small globs of peanut butter surrounding it. The first bite shows just the little bit of brownie and peanut butter that lies underneath it. The brownie is a dark and rich tasting compliment to the ice cream and it's very soft and gooey.
As you get down to the middle and bottom of this the brownies start to swirl into the pint and the peanut butter is in every other bite in nice globs. It's not as prevalent as the swirl in Peanut Butter Pie from Haagen Dazs, its still present in the chocolate base. This is not the best offer from Handel's, and does not top Caramel Pretzel Crunch, but I would have to say this is very close to the Buckeye flavor I had on the first trip I ever made to Handel's.
Bob's Grade: A