Context - I got several Catherine's Originals products for my birthday this week, and here's my thoughts on this one:
TL;DR - Loved them! All flavours well balanced, nothing too strong, too fragrant, or too intense, all smooth and pleasing textures!
A lovely selection of different chocolates. The packaging is delightful, I love that the inside of the lid tells you more about what each chocolate is, rather than having a separate little menu paper like so many of the big brands have.
The chocolates themselves, I'm not expecting "big brand flavour" because that's not what I like about things like this. I can tell these have been made with love and attention and to a small batch process, and they're all delicious!
Usually in a selection box, there's a few I'm not keen on. But:
- The lavender & chamomile was pleasantly well-balanced, and didn't taste as intense and lavandery/perfumy as I'd imagined
- The hazelnut praline, honeycomb, orange & almond, and cookies n cream are all exactly as expected when hearing those names, and all smooth with the occasional crumb-like texture in a few of them which only serves to match the flavours
- The Coffee truffle is smooth, intense, but still sweet, very rich coffee ganache inside while avoiding any potential coffee bitterness
- The coconut one is a bounty bar! It's VERY reminiscent of the texture and flavour I recall, and actually reminds me of some very addictive "vegan bounty bars" I made myself once!
- Liquid caramel chocs are always an interesting one for vegan chocolates but these ones were great! They don't have that weird aftertaste that the Hotel Chocolat vegan ones have, and have a great silky, non-grainy texture to the filling!
- Finally the Cherry Cream... Admittedly, I LOVE cherry candy, and the fondant in this one did not disappoint! It IS very sweet, it's definitely a "cherry candy" type flavour rather than a "dark cherry", and tastes like a fondant made of cherry jelly sweets which I personally am a huge fan of!
Overall, a great selection, at least 3-4 of each chocolate, and frankly for it being vegan, a great flavour, eco-conscious, ethically-minded, and from a small business instead of a corporation? A great alternative to provide for that vegan chocolate lover at the holiday family gathering!!