READER REVIEW: Kenneth's Review of Ben & Jerry's Scotchy Scotch Scotch (Limited Edition)

I don't know how to put this, but I don't think Anchorman is that big of a deal. There, I said it. While every bit of footage gets my peers antsy for the sequel, all I can do is roll my eyes and sigh. On the other hand, I don't think it'll be tough for me to enjoy this Anchorman-inspired flavor from Ben & Jerry's, Scotchy Scotch Scotch. True, a simple butterscotch-on-butterscotch play doesn't sound very interesting, but aside from Rockin' Blondies, butterscotch is a (awesome) flavor we don't see too often in ice cream. So let's see if simplicity is on this flavor's side.

The usual traction from peeling the lid back yields an ice cream showing its mix-in glory from the get-go. Whenever there's residue on the cap, I like to use that as a preface for trying the ice cream in full force. What I'm surprised to find are tiny bits of butterscotch candy in the base. Although, that surprise was nothing compared to the sharply sweet flavor greeting my tongue.

Don't let that light base color fool you, Scotchy Scotch Scotch is a gigantic case of so-sweet-it's-deadly. Those candy-like bits I already mentioned appear throughout the entire ice cream. Unless you're eating with a toothpick, you'll be treated to more than a few in every bite. These also seem to be smaller parts of the butterscotch swirl, which I imagined with be very chewy and gooey. Instead, the swirl is stiff, but not hard. Think of it as a Werthers candy crunched up and muddled together; softer than peanut brittle, but harder than peanut butter. As for the taste? Let's just say it makes the base feel like Blue Bell's Rum Raisin, by comparison (bland).

Though I continue to dig in (try), I quickly find myself overwhelmed. This ice cream is so sweet, it should come with a warning label. It takes less than half a serving to make me feel like I've hit the point of no return. Sugar, Werther's and cream is all I can think of it (in that order). If you feel like entering a diabetic coma, this is the ice cream for you. As for me? I'm going to check my blood sugar.

Where Kenneth Found It: Walmart

Kenneth's Grade: C

REVIEW: Ben & Jerry's Ron Burgundy's Scotchy Scotch Scotch (Limited Batch)

With the release of Anchorman 2 in just a little over a month, Ben & Jerry’s latest release teamed up with Will Ferrell’s alter-ego, Ron Burgundy to create Scotchy Scotch Scotch. This butterscotch ice cream with butterscotch swirls should slowly be makings its way into supermarkets, but is already available in scoop shops nationwide. Considering Scotchy Scotch Scotch pushed back the anticipated scoop shop to pint form release of Candy Bar Pie, this better be well worth the delay.

At 280 calories per serving, the ingredient list seems pretty short, but after lifting off the lid, it’s evident that a good portion of this pint is made up of an impressive-looking butterscotch swirl. In past experiences with flavors like Vanilla Caramel Fudge, Ben & Jerry’s really steps up their effort when a swirl is the focal point of a flavor. The base is dense, rich and possessed a bold and powerful butterscotch taste from start to finish.

The butterscotch intensity is taken up quite a few notches when a bite contained a nice portion of the thick swirl. This swirl not only amplified the taste, but the texture caught me completely off guard. I’d first had the butterscotch flakes in Rockin’ Blondies, but this complex swirl also seemed to feature the same sugary shards. The level of enjoyment you’ll get out of Ben & Jerry’s latest flavor will obviously depend on how much you like butterscotch in general, but if you’re a fan like me, this one is a nice addition to the Ben & Jerry’s lineup if even only for a few months.

Where I Found It: Food Lion
Grade: B

NEWS: Ron Burgundy's Scotchy Scotch Scotch, Ben & Jerry's Latest Flavor

Ben & Jerry’s continued the tradition of teaming up with celebrities earlier today when they announced their latest flavor, Ron Burgundy’s Scotchy Scotch Scotch. With the release of Anchorman 2 right around the corner, this butterscotch ice cream with butterscotch swirls should be the perfect way to prepare for one of the most anticipated sequels of recent memory. The folks over at Huffington Post claim that this tastes better than many of the other celebrity-themed pints despite the rather simple ingredient list.

This is now available at participating scoop shops and should be available in stores over the next few weeks. Now only if they would roll out Candy Bar Pie with such haste.

Although I'm skeptical, that swirl does look luscious.

An Ice Cream Informant forum member also pointed out that this has the exact same description as the scoop shop only test batch called Butterscotch from last year.

READER REVIEW: Mo's Review of Hood Mystic White Gold

There’s something about being in a different state that makes me want to try new ice cream flavors—even ones I normally wouldn't go for. On a recent trip to New Hampshire, I decided to pick up a carton of Hood ice cream, a brand I’ve heard of but have yet to see hit the stores in my area. Though the selection at the Hannaford supermarket up where I was staying had a number of Hood flavors, I decided to forego the more traditional ones in favor of Mystic White Gold, described as "butterscotch flavored ice cream with cinnamon caramel swirl and white chips."

Now I have to be honest: By buying this flavor, I was sort of setting myself up to fail. The idea of butterscotch ice cream sounded really sweet—too sweet almost, especially when paired with a mix-in like white chocolate chips. But because this flavor, at least based on the description, seemed to be like none other I’d ever had before, I was tempted to try it nonetheless. And even though it did end up being a bit too sweet for my taste, I’m glad I broadened my horizons by giving it a go.

So here’s how this ice cream breaks down: The butterscotch base itself comes across as fairly light, which, for a flavor this sweet, is actually a very good thing. The swirls, which amp up the sweetness factor a little bit, are rather abundant, especially as you make your way deeper into the carton. And the white chips, though obviously sweet on their own, add a nice little crunch that somehow, at least for me, helps to offset that sweetness. And oh yeah, the white chips are plentiful; I found several in my very first bite, and the chip-to-base ratio only got more favorable along the way.

So would I buy this flavor again? Probably not. But am I glad I tried it? Definitely. It’s one of the more interesting concoctions I’ve sampled this year, and if it had about double the fat and a funnier, funkier name, I’d almost liken it to something our friends over at Ben & Jerry’s would’ve come up with.

Now I don’t know how much Hood ice cream usually retails for, but I got my carton at a very reasonable $2.99. And considering I’ve been known to pay significantly more than that for a so-called artisan pint, I’m coming away feeling like I certainly got my money’s worth.

Where Mo Found It: Hannaford (Plymouth, NH)
Mo's Grade: C

READER REVIEW: Kenneth's Review of Ben & Jerry's Rockin' Blondies (Target Exclusive)

Our friend over at The Retail Judge finally got his hands on the new Target exclusives and here's what he had to say about them...

Almost immediately after conquering (what used to be) every Ben & Jerry's flavor found at Target, two were retired and, subsequently, two new batches were introduced. Rockin' Blondies, which promises a combination of butterscotch, toffee and brown sugar flavors, immediately got my attention, almost to the point of disregard for Peanut Butter Jam Session. After all, this is a combination of flavors we don't see too often, even from Ben & Jerry's. Because of that, I have high hopes.

The initial layer is quite plain, with one brownie and one flake being the only notable bits of intrusion. The self-proclaimed "Buttery Brown Sugar Ice Cream" has more of a light, creamy, maple flavor to it. It doesn't feel too far off from Trace Adkin's Maple Macadamia Mash Up (Good & Delish). As I continue to indulge, my mind begins to acknowledge this base almost like a French vanilla flavor. We're not necessarily dealing with an exciting foundation, but there's potential if the mix-ins leave a good impression.

I manage to quickly acquire a golden brownie and a butterscotch/toffee blake together, providing a nice combination of sugary flavors. The golden brownies are chewier than I expected, as if undercooked. They emit a strange flavor, throwing my mind and taste buds for a loop. I go from thinking of raisins and cranberries to caramel. Coming to a final verdict on them proves to be a surprising challenge. They definitely seem to be the primary mix-in, given I encounter at least half a dozen halfway down the pint. If there's one certainty about them, it's that they're unique and give the pint its own flavor and identity. However, I'm not sure if I'd call them pleasant or not.

Conversely, the butterscotch-covered toffee flakes have a nice, candy-like coating that melts and crunches away, with a sweet flavor that pops through the ice cream. These also make a great case for "bigger is better," since the larger flakes truly enhance the overall experience. I just wish they showed up more frequently. When everything is taken together, it's surprisingly chewy, with the brownies sticking around and essentially blurring the butterscotch/toffee flakes into an afterthought (along with the ice cream).

I expected Rockin' Blondies to be a nice change of pace from the norm. In most respects, it is. The brownies are a strange force to fathom which, giving a distinct personality to what would otherwise be a fairly routine pint. It would be nice to see more of a role from the flakes, or maybe even a flakey swirl to keep the base from standing on its own. As is, Rockin' Blondies is definitely worth checking out and might just earn a repeat purchase, even if it fell below my high expectations.

Where Kenneth Found It: Target
Kenneth's Grade: B

READER REVIEW: Arjun's Review of Ben & Jerry's Rockin' Blondies (Target Exclusive)

Having closely followed and read news and reviews for Ben & Jerry’s Peanut Butter Jam Session flavor, I was dreaming about the aesthetics and taste of the peanut butter base and intermixing peanut butter and raspberry swirls. My impetus for making the bus trip in the torrential downpour after a long Monday was in pursuit of that flavor. I lose all sense of rationality and discipline when I see “peanut butter,” especially in ice cream. While hoarding as many of those pints as a cart could fit, I caught the Rockin’ Blondies flavor sitting on the shelf and swapped a Peanut Butter Jam Session for the sake of diversity.

Whereas my mind was primed for the known and rich taste of Peanut Butter Jam Session, I had no idea of what to expect from Rockin’ Blondies (Fair Trade certified). The description under the cow: buttery brown sugar ice cream with blonde brownies and butterscotch toffee flakes. I do not care for butterscotch, toffee is the ultimate whatever flavor, and the base lacked the visceral appeal of a peanut butter or caramel. Regardless, I embarked on my exotic excursion. One of my favorite aspects of the Ben & Jerry’s pint-demolishing experience is absorbing the aromatics upon lifting off the lid. It passed the smell test with flying colors.

Digging into a Ben & Jerry’s pint is an effervescent feeling that I want to capture and preserve forever. It took a few bites to reach the mix-ins, but the wait was worth it because those mix-ins were glorious. Toffee and butterscotch are flavors I would expect my mother or grandmother to adore – the kind that masquerades around as dessert, but actually is a facsimile. I could not be more off-kilter; the gooey blond pieces were the highlight of the pint and the butterscotch flakes contributed the perfect crunch. Yogurt and ice cream benefit immensely with an added crunch and I endeavored to include those flakes in each bite. I found myself evading the base, seeking out those individual flakes and blonde brownies. Unfortunately, that is an indictment against the base. I am not familiar with blondies nor do I have a connection with them, but I would favor using these mix-ins with a different base, even something like vanilla. The base was totally nondescript and I have a bit of a bad taste in my mouth from it. Despite this being a premium Ben & Jerry’s flavor, the base felt light rather than the density I am acclimated to relishing. Thankfully the mix-ins were abundant and made the pint worth the purchase.

I am glad that I tried out this flavor, but I would have been severely disappointed if I had made the Target expedition for this solely. It is something I would get to knock off the old checklist, but it is not making a challenge for my top five. This is a suitable compliment to Peanut Butter Jam Session, but next time I am there, I will not be swapping Peanut Butter Jam Session for this. If I do, I will have to extract the mix-ins and toss those in with a different base (maybe the Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla flavor).

Where Arjun Found It: Target
Arjun's Grade: B

REVIEW: Ben & Jerry's Rockin' Blondies (Target Exclusive)

The ice cream world has been abuzz this week following the release of two new Ben & Jerry’s flavors. Only available at Target locations, Peanut Butter Jam Session and Rockin’ Blondies replaced two previous exclusives, Berry Voluntary and one of my personal favorites, Brownie Chew Gooder. As soon as I could, I made my way to the nearest Target in hopes of finding the new releases. Although the two labels were both affixed to the shelves, my closest store only had Rockin’ Blondies. Even though I had been more excited about trying Peanut Butter Jam Session, the description of buttery brown sugar ice cream with blonde brownies and butterscotch toffee flakes helped to alleviate the letdown of only finding one of the two.


The description sounded slightly similar to that, and even appeared to include the same blonde brownies, of an ice cream I’d always been eager to try, but had sadly predated my serious ice cream days: Ben & Jerry’s Hannah Teter’s Maple Blondie (and one of co-founder Jerry Greenfield’s favorite flavors -- see video above). Needless to say, even though I couldn't track down Peanut Butter Jam Session on my first attempt, I was still anticipating Rockin' Blondies. I headed for the exit, paid the Target premium for a pint of ice cream and headed home to test out this brand new offering.

The 250 calories contained inside Rockin’ Blondies is on the low side for a super-premium flavor containing butter, toffee and brownies. It’s rare these days that I have the chance to try a pint from Ben & Jerry’s that involves ingredients I haven’t experienced before, but I’ve yet to see any of the three featured here. I lift off the lid and find a pretty basic looking base peering back at me with only a few flecks of toffee flakes to break up the off-white ice cream. Without an overload of mix-ins infiltrating the first layer, securing some of the buttery brown sugar base was easy. Sporting the same high-butterfat, super-premium consistency as I had expected to see from Ben & Jerry’s, the taste is mild for the most part. Some additional richness and the hint of molasses are the only things that have been seemingly added to their generic ice cream mix, and although I was hoping for some bold, buttery flavoring, this still served as a suitable host for the blonde brownies and butterscotch toffee flakes to come.

I was a bit disappointed following my first few bites, only because I hadn’t hit many mix-ins. Fortunately, after disposing of the first serving, I started hitting some sizable chunks of both the flakes and the brownies. The butterscotch toffee flakes ranged in size from crumbs to inch-long chunks. They were kept small enough, even in their largest form, as to not freeze rock-hard, but instead gave each bite a crunchy texture followed by the sugary taste and feel of toffee to start and butterscotch to finish. After intentionally avoiding the brownies until I had tried the other ingredients, I finally extracted the moist, gooey brownie that would serve as my first taste. Ben & Jerry's chose to keep these blonde brownies at a slightly-undercooked consistency, so they stay soft and chewy despite being surrounded by ice cream. As far as taste was concerned, these rich, buttery brownies are bursting with the taste of brown sugar and compliment the buttery brown sugar base perfectly. While the mix-ins could have been included in higher amounts, and a bolder base could have been used, the bites including all three components is still able to achieve the A I expected.

Where I Found It: Target
Grade: A

READER REVIEW: Zachary's Review of Safeway Select Oatmeal Butterscotch

I am sure most of you have heard the terrible news about the discontinuation of Ben & Jerry’s Oatmeal Cookie Chunk. Sadly, the delightful flavor is being carted off in a hearse somewhere on its way to the flavor graveyard. Oatmeal Cookie Chunk and I had a short, but wonderful relationship together and I will always cherish the good times we had together. However, I am proud (and slightly ashamed) to admit I went looking for a replacement. This leads us to the ice cream you see pictured above, Oatmeal Butterscotch Ice Cream. It’s a store brand ice cream that is put out by Safeway. I picked it up locally at a Tom Thumb grocery store. It was the closest thing I could find to Oatmeal Cookie Chunk, so when I saw it, I immediately grabbed it. It’s described as a cinnamon ice cream swirled with butterscotch and pieces of real oatmeal cookies. The keyword being, “pieces” notice they did not say chunks.

Upon opening the lid, my nostrils became overwhelmed with the smell of cinnamon. It was a nice surprise, and it was nice to see little pieces of oatmeal cookies poking out the top. I could tell right away that the cookie pieces would not be as big as the Ben & Jerry’s version, but I was okay with that. I scooped out a serving or two and went to work. The first thing that will hit you is the strong taste of cinnamon. At first it’s almost too much, but after a few bites your taste buds fall in love. Shockingly, I’d actually say that the base is better than the one used in Oatmeal Cookie Chunk.

However, the cookie pieces are definitely smaller and the butterscotch swirl is virtually non-existent. Every few bites you might get a hint of butterscotch, but it’s really just a tease. I will admit that the cookie pieces were a little bigger than I initially thought they’d be. The piece you see above was the biggest “chunk” I found in my two servings. In all honesty, it’s really a decent size for a mix-in, but Ben & Jerry’s has me spoiled. Enough about their size; how did the cookies taste? Well, they were actually very good! They lacked the almost doughy like quality of Ben & Jerry’s, but the taste was spot on. I swear one piece had a little bit of crunch to it, which was actually quite nice as it added texture to the frozen treat.

Overall? It’s like the girlfriend you get after your first love breaks your heart. She’ll never replace your first love, but she’ll do. She will be there for you when you’re sick, depressed, lonely and just plain hungry; just don’t expect any breakfast in bed or foot rubs. I give this flavor a solid B and will definitely buy it again.

Where Zachary Found It: Tom Thumb
Zachary's Grade: B

REVIEW: Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop Exclusive, Coconut Seven Layer Bar

Following a delectable dinner at Leunig's Bistro in downtown Burlington, some fellow bloggers and I were treated to dessert at the local Ben & Jerry's scoop shop a short walk away. After browsing the available flavors, I quickly settled on Coconut Seven Layer Bar. This scoop-shop exclusive is described as coconut ice cream with coconut and fudge flakes, walnuts and swirls of graham cracker & butterscotch. Seeing as how I was still stuffed from the meal I'd had minutes earlier, I only opted for a single 3 ounce scoop; but that would be more than enough to provide an accurate representation. This particular flavor was so dense with mix-ins that it was practically impossible to sample anything independently, but also ensured that every bite had a tremendous texture. The coconut ice cream was much sweeter than I was expecting; a welcomed surprise considering most coconut bases are overly mild. My first full bite finished with a mouthful of coconut pulp, which provided the authentic feel of the actual fruit and another bit of coconut flavoring.

The fudge flakes, unlike they do in most freezer packed pints, avoid an overly hard consistency and provide a soft, slightly-chewy burst of chocolate that works well with the coconut components. The walnuts are the same used in Chunky Monkey and provide an easily breakable texture that adds the ideal amount of nutty flavoring. Coconut Seven Layer Bar is rounded out by a pair of swirls that enhance this scoop-shop exclusive even further. The graham cracker swirl adds a gritty feel to any bite it makes its way into; offering some additional sweetness to boot. The last ingredient comes in the form of butterscotch and looks similar to a standard caramel swirl; only giving away it's true identity with the unique flavoring offered by the butter and brown sugar inside. Every bite of Coconut Seven Layer Bar combines a bevy of top-notch tastes and textures; begging the question: why not offer this in pint form? Hopefully Ben & Jerry's will soon release this flavor from the confines of the ice cream counter.

Where I Found It: Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop in Burlington, Vermont

Grade: A

REVIEW: Bob's Review of Ben & Jerry's Scotchy Scotch Scotch (Limited Batch)

With the release of Anchorman 2 a few weeks ago, Ben & Jerry’s released a Ron Burgundy's Scotchy Scotch Scotch flavor that is butterscotch ice cream with butterscotch swirls. I can't even tell you the last time I ventured to a butterscotch ice cream, as it has been some time, so this will really be something different from me.

Upon pulling off the lid and digging into the first bite, you can see the pint has a nice butterscotch looking base and hints of a swirl from the midsection of the pint. As I dug into the bite, you can see on the spoon a large chunk of the swirl from the middle of the pint. The best way to describe the butterscotch base is to think of Werther's butterscotch candies. It has that similar taste, but a bit of a sweeter kick to it (if you enjoy something a little sweeter). The swirl on the other hand is a bit dense.

As you continue to get down through the pint, the swirl amplifies and progresses to get larger and larger until you are getting spoonfuls of a thick/dense swirl that is harder than the creamy butterscotch base. I will have to say this, it's not a bold butterscotch base, it's more of a sweet butterscotch. The added sugars from the ice cream amplifies the overall taste of the ice cream to a sweet butterscotch flavor. If you are not a person who likes a sweet ice cream, or someone who wants a salty compliment this may not be up your alley, but for someone who enjoys a sweet ice cream or is a diehard butterscotch fan this will be right for you. I am biased and I enjoy my peanut butter and cookie dough to no end, but this was a great change of pace and received a decent score from me. If it had some pretzel swirls or some kind of mix-in to go with the butterscotch base and swirl this would get an improved score.

Where Bob Found It: Wegmans (Erie, PA)
Bob's Grade: B