Bourbon Wars! Haagen-Dazs Bourbon Pecan Praline vs. Ben and Jerry's Urban Bourbon
In 2015, Lizzy predicted that alcoholic ice cream would be the new ice cream trend of 2016. Turns out, she was a year early in her predictions, and 2017 is the year that multiple mainstream brands came out with alcohol-flavored ice creams.
Both Haagen-Dazs and Ben and Jerry's, arguably the two behemoths of grocery store super-premium brands, released a bourbon ice cream. Haagen-Dazs has Bourbon Pecan Praline, nutty pecan pralines and pools of brown sugar bourbon folded into bourbon ice cream.
Bourban Pecan Praline is a very grown-up flavor. Bourbon is a very sweet and smooth alcohol, which makes it the idea alcoholic ice cream flavor. The bourbon base had these sweet and smooth qualities, but it also had that uniquely alcoholic burn that you could both smell and taste. The pecan pralines and brown sugar were the perfect mix-ins. The flavors were distinct from, complementary to, and not overpowered by the strong bourbon base. The pecans were coated with a finely grained sugar coating adding a caramel note to the flavor profile. The brown sugar bourbon swirls had a nice sticky texture, and the brown sugar added some warmth. I really want to give this 4 cones, but I just can't. Swirls are one of Haagen-Dazs' biggest weaknesses, and I really wanted a thicker, more prominent swirl. Gah! I'll give this 🍦🍦🍦.75/4 cones.
Ben and Jerry's Urban Bourbon is burnt caramel ice cream with almonds, fudge flakes, and bourbon caramel swirls.
The burnt caramel base was .... interesting. I wasn't sure I liked it at first, but it grew on me, and it's definitely something different for Ben and Jerry's. The caramel of the base was very, very dark, but I didn't pick up on a burnt flavor as much as a hint of smokiness. Remember the Haagen-Dazs Artisan Collection? Praline Patisserie, one of the artisans, makes an Applewood Smoked Caramel, and Lizzy got me some for Christmas. The base reminded me A LOT of that caramel.
The bourbon caramel swirl added a slight hint of bourbon, with none of the burn present in Bourbon Pecan Praline. Instead of being the bold element, it toned down the boldness of the base. The fudge flakes were typically huge Ben and Jerry's chunks, and their dark chocolate added a slight bitter edge to the pint. I'm giving this 🍦🍦🍦/4 cones. I wanted more bourbon for a flavor named Urban Bourbon and a cleaner flavor profile. The base was a bit confusing, and the sum of the parts wasn't as coherent as that of Bourbon Pecan Praline. I think those who don't love the burn of alcohol in their dessert will enjoy this more than Bourbon Pecan Praline. There's something for everyone!
Both Haagen-Dazs and Ben and Jerry's, arguably the two behemoths of grocery store super-premium brands, released a bourbon ice cream. Haagen-Dazs has Bourbon Pecan Praline, nutty pecan pralines and pools of brown sugar bourbon folded into bourbon ice cream.
Bourban Pecan Praline is a very grown-up flavor. Bourbon is a very sweet and smooth alcohol, which makes it the idea alcoholic ice cream flavor. The bourbon base had these sweet and smooth qualities, but it also had that uniquely alcoholic burn that you could both smell and taste. The pecan pralines and brown sugar were the perfect mix-ins. The flavors were distinct from, complementary to, and not overpowered by the strong bourbon base. The pecans were coated with a finely grained sugar coating adding a caramel note to the flavor profile. The brown sugar bourbon swirls had a nice sticky texture, and the brown sugar added some warmth. I really want to give this 4 cones, but I just can't. Swirls are one of Haagen-Dazs' biggest weaknesses, and I really wanted a thicker, more prominent swirl. Gah! I'll give this 🍦🍦🍦.75/4 cones.
Ben and Jerry's Urban Bourbon is burnt caramel ice cream with almonds, fudge flakes, and bourbon caramel swirls.
The burnt caramel base was .... interesting. I wasn't sure I liked it at first, but it grew on me, and it's definitely something different for Ben and Jerry's. The caramel of the base was very, very dark, but I didn't pick up on a burnt flavor as much as a hint of smokiness. Remember the Haagen-Dazs Artisan Collection? Praline Patisserie, one of the artisans, makes an Applewood Smoked Caramel, and Lizzy got me some for Christmas. The base reminded me A LOT of that caramel.
The bourbon caramel swirl added a slight hint of bourbon, with none of the burn present in Bourbon Pecan Praline. Instead of being the bold element, it toned down the boldness of the base. The fudge flakes were typically huge Ben and Jerry's chunks, and their dark chocolate added a slight bitter edge to the pint. I'm giving this 🍦🍦🍦/4 cones. I wanted more bourbon for a flavor named Urban Bourbon and a cleaner flavor profile. The base was a bit confusing, and the sum of the parts wasn't as coherent as that of Bourbon Pecan Praline. I think those who don't love the burn of alcohol in their dessert will enjoy this more than Bourbon Pecan Praline. There's something for everyone!
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