House of Dorchester Luxury Assortment – Review and Giveaway #44
It’s the month of chocolate and Valentine’s Day is not far off. There was no way I was going to disappoint you by not offering some chocolate on the blog. I have teamed up with the House of Dorchester to offer one lucky Chocolate Log Blog reader the chance of winning a box of their luxury assortment.
Based in Poundbury, Dorset, the House of Dorchester produces chocolates right here in the South West of England and announce proudly that they are “the home of great British Chocolates”. They started off life in 1963 making handmade chocolates in a high street shop in Dorchester, The Dorset Maid. Now with a factory and a whole team of chocolatiers they supply chocolates not only around the UK, but around the world. Admittedly they are not a Cornish company, but I will try not to hold that against them 😉
The Luxury Assortment arrived in perfect condition, with not a single chocolate broken or out of place. The presentation was particularly good with an attractive, yet sturdy keepsake box which I can see being used for a number of different purposes. In fact it is just the right size for gifting a batch of fairy cakes or mini cupcakes – now there’s an idea.
The assortment contained a 400g mix of dark, milk and white chocolates. With 16 flavours and 32 chocolates, this is a box for sharing. I found nothing particularly surprising or innovative in the box in terms of the flavours offered, but they all sounded good. I’m guessing these are aimed more at the traditional market than the new wave of chocolate lovers. However, I was particularly looking forward to trying the violet and rose creams, which are hard to find and for which I have rather an old fashioned penchant. The chocolates were large with a plentiful amount of filling and the chocolate casings were equally generous. I found, they all erred towards the sweet side and when it comes to chocolates I prefer less sugar rather than more. Do take a look at the online shop, where you will find a number of bars, hot chocolate mixes and chocolate selections. This box costs £19.99.
I’ll start off with my favourites – after all, for the purposes of review, what could I do but try them all?
The violet creme was the first one I tried and the flavour was sublime. The sweet filling was offset by the dark chocolate and it looked very pretty with its drizzle of violet over the top.
The sea salt caramel had to be next as this is probably my favourite chocolate filling ever. The caramel was just how I like it, soft but not too liquid with a perfect amount of sea salt. The thick dark chocolate encasing it complimented the caramel well and was nicely proportioned – something that I haven’t always found to be the case.
The rose creme was as delicious as the violet, it tasted of rose and again the sweetness was offset by the dark chocolate casing.
The raspberry caramel wasn’t at all what I was expecting, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The flavour of raspberry was very much present, although it wasn’t in the least tart which was a bit of a shame. The caramel was chewy, not in a pull-your-teeth-out kind of way, but in a much more pleasant, stays-in-the-mouth-longer kind of way.
The pecan parfait was another chewy offering. I really liked this one which wasn’t overly sweet due to the dark chocolate casing. The pieces of pecans added crunch, interest and flavour.
The caramel heart was also delicious, although not quite so much as the sea salted one. Again the dark chocolate offset the caramel, which was liquid with a soft vanillary flavour.
The strawberry cheesecake had a good flavour with some tartness coming through. It was firmer than I was expecting, but had a nice chewy texture with pieces of strawberry scattered throughout.
The praline bouchee, whilst being rather sweet had a lovely flavour of roast almonds. You could taste the pistachio in the white chocolate coated pistachio mousse, which in my experience not many chocolates seem to manage. The latte crisp contained real ground coffee which gave a lovely crunch and flavour. CT reckoned the cafe noir had a good coffee flavour too. I enjoyed the combination of fruit and champagne in the strawberry marc de champagne and thought the white chocolate worked well in this instance. The orange creme was covered in dark chocolate and had a good flavour.
Not all of the chocolates were as good as I was hoping. Coconut and chocolate seem to be an under represented combination in the chocolate world, so I was looking forward to trying the coconut creme. Sadly, I found this to be overly sweet and have a rather artificial coconut taste. I enjoyed the texture of the roast nut praline with its pieces of caramelised nuts giving surprise and crunch, but didn’t find it had a particularly nutty flavour. The alcohol in the marc de champagne truffle was noticeable and the flavour was good, but it did leave a rather cloying feeling in my mouth after I’d finished it.
Thanks to the House of Dorchester for the chocolates given to me to try. There was no requirement to write a positive review and as always all opinions are my own.
House of Dorchester have kindly agreed to give one of my readers a 400g Luxury Assortment too. To be in with a chance of winning, please fill in the Gleam widget below. You will need to leave a comment on this post which then gives you additional chances to enter if you so wish. Gleam will pick a winner at random from the entries received. If you are commenting anonymously, please give me some way of identifying you as I will be verifying the validity of entries. Any automated entries will be disqualified. This giveaway is only open to those with a UK postal address. Winners will need to respond within 7 days of being contacted. Failure to do this will result in another winner being picked.
House of Dorchester Luxury Assortment
Tracey Peach
7th February 2014
Beautiful Country Side With Quaint Cottages
keith crooks
1st March 2014
Jurassic Coast
tabbaz123
7th February 2014
rugged coastline yet beautiful countryside – not often a county has both
jenny morgan
7th February 2014
beautiful coastline and peace and quiet
mellysocks
7th February 2014
Peaceful and beautiful.
Mimi
7th February 2014
Lovely scenery and coastline, distinctive local accent!
laura banks
7th February 2014
little tea shops
Kath
7th February 2014
These sound like good chocolates, my daughters love rose and violet creams too. I hope you aren’t getting too wet in all these storms.
Choclette
7th February 2014
Thanks Kath – so glad not all the old traditions are dying out. We’re OK here in Liskeard thanks, but it’s pretty bad around the coast and more storms to not look forward to tonight 🙁
Maya Russell
7th February 2014
I have images of a wonderfully wild and different coastline and pretty cottages.
Tracy K Nixon
7th February 2014
Indulgence, warmth, comfort!
helen
7th February 2014
Pure quality
SS Felton
7th February 2014
Pecan parfait sounds amazing… yum!
NuttyMummyof3
7th February 2014
the sea and coastline, country pubs!
Elaine Savage
7th February 2014
the beautiful Jurassic coastline
Louise A
7th February 2014
at the moment – floods!!!! which is a shame because it has some lovely countryside
D Lloyd
7th February 2014
These sound amaaaazing! Never had rose creams!
anthony harrington
7th February 2014
countryside, rolling green hills and lovely scenery
Alana Walker
7th February 2014
Lovely beaches!
Blulu
7th February 2014
Fossil hunting on their fabulous beaches 🙂
Ane S
7th February 2014
A nice green countryside
Leona Fisher
7th February 2014
Beautiful countryside.
purplepansyem
7th February 2014
Seaside harbours, rugged coastline, beautiful untouched countryside, shallow fast flowing rivers and quaint white cottages.
rosie154
7th February 2014
Walking to Dancing Ledge…
prwilson
7th February 2014
Green countryside and picturesque cottages.
lucky321
7th February 2014
beautiful coastlines and lovely quaint villages
Caroline
7th February 2014
Acres of open space and greenery.
cathyj
7th February 2014
quiet coastline with lovely villiages
soosieboo
7th February 2014
A great place for a getaway. Lovely countryside and beaches.
angie mummy
7th February 2014
little villages
peter campbell
7th February 2014
rolling countryside and very quiet
mummy24
7th February 2014
Lovely beaches!
Ashleigh
saurus
7th February 2014
Fabulous rolling countryside, and amazing little seaside towns
Gill
7th February 2014
Thomas Hardy!
Anonymous
7th February 2014
Karen d Lovely fishing villages like on doc martin, tea rooms and pasties.
Melissa Red
7th February 2014
The seaside.
Corina
7th February 2014
The countryside.
Alison Joyce
7th February 2014
Countryside and beaches
Emma Nixon
7th February 2014
Beaches
clairew137
8th February 2014
Countryside, seaside, dinosaur fossils
Anonymous
8th February 2014
Pastoral scenes, pretty coastlines, peace and quiet.
sairz eastham
8th February 2014
countryside and cream teas
Jude Eddington
8th February 2014
seaside and cream teas
Anonymous
8th February 2014
Beaches.
Rachel Craig
katie skeoch
8th February 2014
cream teas on a sunny afternoon
jenniwren12
8th February 2014
beautiful coastlines
Jayne
8th February 2014
Relaxing and pretty.
Isis1981uk
8th February 2014
Expensive but beautiful villages!
sam fut
8th February 2014
yum!
Hassni Malik
8th February 2014
Walking along the coastline in summer
ali thorpe
8th February 2014
My brother, sis-in-law and their boys, who moved to Dorset a few weeks ago!
Laura @ Kneadwhine
8th February 2014
Rambling!
FantasyMeister
8th February 2014
Dorset has always been the well heeled county of the West Country for me, my sales manager lived there in a very posh house, so it always reminds me of that.
Gerri Tennant
9th February 2014
Swanage and holidays we had when my children were small. Pretty villages and friendly people.
Keshia Esgate
9th February 2014
pretty country
Anonymous
9th February 2014
sunny rolling fields of countryside
-katrc3 on IG
Hannah ONeill
9th February 2014
Yummy yummy chocolates
sam fut
9th February 2014
yum
Ruth Harwood
10th February 2014
Dorset brings images of fast moving wide rivers and rolling fields interspersed with the occassional farmhouse 🙂
Claire Thorpe
10th February 2014
Quaint villages!
Patterry
10th February 2014
Beautiful countryside and picturesque villages
faye huntington
10th February 2014
peaceful scene of serenity, lovely weather and cosy b&b’s! with love, faye xx
Galina Varese
11th February 2014
At the moment, severe weather. generally, Dorset cereals and Dorset tea
kj19
11th February 2014
beautiful countryside but at the moment unfortunatly flooding
Sheila Reeves
11th February 2014
Beautiful beaches & countryside – family visits
Jackie ONeill
11th February 2014
fabulous beaches and countryside
joanne
12th February 2014
Beautiful beaches & countryside love visiting with friends
charlotte horsfield
13th February 2014
my favorite beaches adore them feel so free and countryside is presious and perfect x
Shazia Wahid
13th February 2014
Beaches and blue water
Solange
13th February 2014
Countryside with rugged coastline
Herbert Appleby
13th February 2014
a royal country house
Stephanie Whitehouse
14th February 2014
Dorset makes me think of rich cream, and Poundbury of classy English tradition with modern innovation – so an ideal blend for chocolates
freakfire
14th February 2014
Nice countryside
Mickie Bull
14th February 2014
The Jurassic Coast
eleanor73
15th February 2014
Relaxation and sunshine (maybe not at the moment!)
Jo Hutchinson
16th February 2014
The beaches and collecting pebbles
Anonymous
16th February 2014
Nice coastline
@ctpulley
16th February 2014
Chocolate is good for you. How many of us ate is kids and are still here? Ignore the sandal wearing doom mongers.
James Seale
16th February 2014
Beautiful countryside
cillastubbs
16th February 2014
Beautiful coast line and country, spent many holidays in Dorset
Deborah
16th February 2014
Countryside, fresh air and chocolate box houses 🙂
Stacey
16th February 2014
Peaceful walks along the coast
Rikka B
16th February 2014
Fossils and Thomas Hardy
Michelle Ferguson
16th February 2014
Pretty beaches
Kathy Cakebread
16th February 2014
beautiful beach walks
donna parkin
16th February 2014
a pretty wood just after its rained and the suns shining between the branches
Rachel Bustin
16th February 2014
fossil hunting and beautiful countryside x
Anonymous
16th February 2014
The funny lady at work and her amazing accent! 🙂 These descriptions have me salivating, yum yum!
ted
16th February 2014
memories of family holidays in a perfect english county
elaine dale
16th February 2014
lovely beaches and nice scenery
Sheila
16th February 2014
Walking on beautiful sandy beaches
emma
16th February 2014
Coastline
Anonymous
16th February 2014
Beautiful country side, spectacular shorelines
Amanda Deacon
michele omalley
16th February 2014
Beautiful coastline and the train running through the centre of poole
Hayley
16th February 2014
the fossil coast and Lyme Regis.
soozwales
17th February 2014
Me and my tent with a bag of chips.
Hannah Platt
17th February 2014
Family holiday memories!
Lillian Fisher
17th February 2014
Beautiful coastlines and great countryside walks.
Lucy Bishop
18th February 2014
stunning countryside and long walks- also pubs with log fires!
karen usher
18th February 2014
Country side, relaxing and lovely people!
jo
19th February 2014
Beautiful countryside and seaside views
Anneka Hulse
20th February 2014
A peaceful beach with rolling hills in the back ground
tarcsafalvi
20th February 2014
lovely beaches
jaden002
20th February 2014
gorgeous beaches and stunning countryside.
Lisa Jones
Anonymous
20th February 2014
The sea and lots of beautiful scenery x
Twitter @tjsi1963
Lorraine
21st February 2014
Lovely coastline, wild and beautiful.
melanie betteridge
21st February 2014
pretty and quaint
Rey Chun
21st February 2014
Beautiful countryside and relaxation
lizziejayne
22nd February 2014
lovely coastline
littlebean
22nd February 2014
Dorset makes me think about fudge! Dorset fudge is fab!
Allan
23rd February 2014
Sandy Beaches and traditional summer holidays
Anonymous
23rd February 2014
Lovely coastline, Thomas Hardy, beautiful clear rivers, Tolpuddle Martyrs, historic houses and castles, Sherbourne Abbey, Chesil Beach, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, Lyme Regis and Jane Austin, fossils & dinosaurs,
alyxzandra
23rd February 2014
Relaxing
Emma
23rd February 2014
peace and quiet
heather
23rd February 2014
Relaxation
kate kathurima
23rd February 2014
coast line and cider
Julie H
24th February 2014
Summer fun with the family
Miriam Said
24th February 2014
I’ve never been to Dorset, but I imagine that there are lots of beautiful scenic, rural views and wonderfully peacefull and friendly places to visit and stay.
Helen Bailey
24th February 2014
Beautiful scenery, a mix of rolling countryside and coast land – peace and tranquility!
Karen A
24th February 2014
Rolling green hills, swaying flowers and pure bliss!
Kay Brown
24th February 2014
You can’t beat a good selection of chocolates 🙂
Rebecca U
25th February 2014
lovely countryside
Esme Mccrubb
26th February 2014
the lovely scenery
Danielle Stevenson
26th February 2014
I’ve never been to Dorset, but I imagine it to be a lovely seaside town with picturesque views and friendly people 🙂
@mrspogs
maz
26th February 2014
Very dog friendly
frances hopkins
27th February 2014
amazing beaches
greigspencer
27th February 2014
Beautiful Country Side
Emily
28th February 2014
MMm they look delicious
Angela Kelly
28th February 2014
Lovely countryside and fresh air
Charmian Filewood
28th February 2014
The backstroke, :(, but flooding apart, cream teas, Oooer oooer, farmers markets and the beautiful sound of silence 🙂
thrlrds2007
28th February 2014
peaceful and beautiful
kasza
1st March 2014
The coastline plus we had the very best meal ever in Dorset
Anna-Marie Donnelly
1st March 2014
Great views and plenty of places to stop for refreshments!
Victoria Easton
2nd March 2014
Good views, friendly people and nice food – perfect UK holiday!
Victoria Easton
2nd March 2014
truffles to tiramisu – both my favourite! – love this review – not good for my stomach though!
charlieemma
2nd March 2014
Dorset is near to my hometown, so it reminds me of trips to Bournemouth beach with my friends when I was a teenager!
caroline cordery
3rd March 2014
Lyme Regis and Jurassic cliffs, in winter
Zoe R
3rd March 2014
Country side
William G
3rd March 2014
Countryside, cottages and beaches!
juneski
3rd March 2014
Thomas Hardy
maureen moss
3rd March 2014
the birth of my son in Dorset
Choclette
4th March 2014
Doesn’t sound as though you’re like to forget Dorset that quickly Maureen 🙂
Lynn
3rd March 2014
the fabulous countryside
Laura Jones
3rd March 2014
the jurassic coastline
Clint Howat
3rd March 2014
Indulgence, warmth, comfort!
Lorna MacFadyen
4th March 2014
I went to Dorest on holiday as a child and I remember very long car journeys (from Scotland!) to get there but the drives were worth it. Lots of lovely family memories on the beach and the surrounding countryside. and lots of lovely ice cream!
Jodie Yorke
4th March 2014
summer holds with my kids.
Victoria
4th March 2014
Seaside fossils!
Georgia Keogh
4th March 2014
Family holidays camping by the sea, visiting great places and eating delicious ice-cream.
teresa1963
4th March 2014
My dream prize
Sarah Lewis
5th March 2014
Beautiful countryside.
glittery59
5th March 2014
Great days on the beach, relaxing in the sunshine.
Ramblings of a bake-aholic
5th March 2014
peaceful and scenic
lindsey stuart
5th March 2014
Relaxing and therapeutic
spike1
5th March 2014
peaceful countryside, coastlines and fossils
Philip
5th March 2014
Rugged coastline , beautiful houses overlooking the sea & countryside
dwerry
5th March 2014
A lovely little cottage that my parents use to rent for our holidays & walks along the beautiful beach.
Heather Haigh
5th March 2014
gems, fossils, and the beach
Anonymous
5th March 2014
The coast but also the logo for Dorest cereal LOL
@oneisjamie
Robert Price
5th March 2014
Beautiful countryside and scenic coastline
Anonymous
5th March 2014
Rose and violet creams are my favourite too, but the really descriptive comments on the other chocolates has my mouth watering. Love to try them all!
liz ferguson
5th March 2014
Friendly folks who enjoy a laugh and a bit of a carry on.
Tracy Moore
5th March 2014
Chocolate Box cottages and quaint villages, Awesome countryside & as far as the eye can see coastline x
sheridarby
5th March 2014
Beautiful unspoilt coastline and never ending sunshine
matphil
5th March 2014
Lovely location for holidays.
Twiddle Dee
6th March 2014
Beautifull Countryside and Beaches x
Natalie Gillham
Emily Clark
6th March 2014
Durdle dor. It’s pretty unique, isnt it?
Steph Lovatt
6th March 2014
peaceful, lovely countryside
Ian Campbell
6th March 2014
Tea and clotted cream!
patanne1
6th March 2014
Dorset conjures for me the picture of a beautiful part of our English countryside
Donna Rudziak
6th March 2014
Cream Teas, beautiful countryside, chocolate box villages and The Famous Five!
Alison Turner
6th March 2014
Beautiful countryside and villages with lots of peace and quiet.
Amanda
6th March 2014
Great days on the beach!
Steph Campbell
6th March 2014
peace and beautiful coastlines
ammaline
6th March 2014
I have had some lovely holidays in Dorset
Trudee Hartley
6th March 2014
I live in Winterbourne abbas, just outside Dorchester, heard so much about your chocs, but never tried them xxx
Valencia Sowry
6th March 2014
Beautiful and peaceful ….. Yes please …
Alison
6th March 2014
Coastlines and sunshine
Georgia McAllister
6th March 2014
Fantastic beaches and friendly people.
antheaholloway
6th March 2014
The county in which I live and which I love – beautiful countryside and wonderful coastline too.
Jennifer Rhymer
6th March 2014
Beaches, family fun holidays & sunshine 🙂
TheKiss
6th March 2014
I think I’m turning into my Mum as I’m loving tranquility and teashops
taz
6th March 2014
peace and quiet
1806louise
6th March 2014
My holidays, I’m going there in July!
Ian
6th March 2014
River cottage, homegrown food and cider! 🙂
the4ts
6th March 2014
The Durdle Door and Thomas Hardy
Chris Fletcher
6th March 2014
Too many grockles! Only joking…Who said we were friendly?!
Anonymous
6th March 2014
Gorgeous scenery
@jaizduck
Kevin Minihane
6th March 2014
Quaint towns and friendly people
donna jones
6th March 2014
dorset
WeeWillieWilkie
6th March 2014
Beautiful coastline 🙂
SAISSE SANDERS
6th March 2014
BEAUTIFUL RURAL LOCATION X
Tiffany Callan
6th March 2014
sunshine, wheat mills and fields 🙂
Monika Suchonska
6th March 2014
Jurassic coastline
Caroline Bellamy
6th March 2014
This comment has been removed by the author.
Caroline Bellamy
6th March 2014
Lyme Regis, beautiful coastline and family fun
Karen Louise Wright
6th March 2014
Beach & sea x
Gail Bennett
6th March 2014
Jurassic Coast … fossil hunting 🙂
Anonymous
6th March 2014
Beautiful countryside, very peaceful
sjw01
6th March 2014
The countryside xx
Irene Murdoch
6th March 2014
coastline and fossils @Irenejanine
Rachel
6th March 2014
Sea and countryside
Deborah Bird
6th March 2014
countryside and beaches x
Lani Nash
6th March 2014
Love the beaches in Dorset, especially Weymouth
Nicola Holland
6th March 2014
Fossil hunting
Laura Vitty
6th March 2014
Visiting my auntie, uncle and cousins!! I’m from Newcastle so rarely see them xx
Anonymous
6th March 2014
the countryside and its beauty
from samantha price
Ellen Stafford
6th March 2014
Love Dorset. Weymouth is my second home. As a kid we used to go there about 4 times a year. I still visit as an adult with my family. Such a beautiful county.
John Shakspeare
6th March 2014
Green fields
chris parham
6th March 2014
the countryside with some sun
Cornishgirl
6th March 2014
Dorset makes me think of The French Lieutenant’s Woman, fossils, swans and seaside
Anonymous
7th March 2014
coastline and countryside beautiful
beautyadoration
7th March 2014
These look delicious!
champaklal lad
7th March 2014
sun shine coast
David Price
7th March 2014
Lovely countryside
Little Miss Contrary
7th March 2014
green and pleasant land
lorraine polley
7th March 2014
sun, sand and sunshine
Anonymous
7th March 2014
Calm tranquil beach and beautiful countryside with quaint villages and afternoon tea, with scones and jam
Claire Barker
7th March 2014
Thomas Hardy and the countryside that inspired him.
kate s-b
7th March 2014
lovely open spaces 🙂
vicky varley
7th March 2014
Coastal scenery and ice cream
HayleyT
7th March 2014
I’ve never been to Dorset but the impression I have is of beautiful coastline, beautiful scenery and countryside and fabulous fossil hunting!
Anonymous
7th March 2014
Beautiful Coastlines
Becci Cleary
rcleary57@yahoo.com
Lynne O'Connor
7th March 2014
Jurassic coast
Grace M
7th March 2014
Amazing countryside!
Jemma Lawrence
7th March 2014
The peaceful countryside for me I think! ;o) x
Judy Beba-Thompson
7th March 2014
Walking along the Cobb at Lyme with my partner – and then having a gorgeous meal at the Mill!
KrisDelAgua
7th March 2014
Gastronomically Orgasmic :0)
Emma Price
7th March 2014
Beautiful countryside and a stunning coastline!
Anonymous
7th March 2014
Scenic, serene and a typical welcoming English county.
Zwazzle
7th March 2014
My beloved great grandmother lived in Dorset, always makes me think of my many visits to her little chalet as a kid.
krnries
7th March 2014
Peace and tranquility 🙂
Karis
7th March 2014
The Jurassic Coast
floart
7th March 2014
fossils & fudge
Anita
7th March 2014
relaxing place to vacation
ryanmia02
7th March 2014
Glorious beaches
Emily Knight
7th March 2014
The stunning Jurassic Coast!
John
7th March 2014
Pretty cottages and beautiful countryside.
Anonymous
7th March 2014
jurassic coast
Fiona Ramsay
7th March 2014
Yum, yum and …Yum
Heather Tinkler
7th March 2014
Nice views of the country
dawn thompson
7th March 2014
Fields and sheep!
Erica Price
7th March 2014
Wonderful coastline
Anonymous
7th March 2014
THE AMAZING BEACHES
TREVOR LINVELL
Kathi Crane
7th March 2014
Beautiful English countryside
Wendy Guy
7th March 2014
The beautiful of England garden
joanna_kow
7th March 2014
french countryside and red wine
Charlie G
7th March 2014
Countryside 🙂 !
Diane Wood
7th March 2014
I’ve never been but have always wanted to visit that part of the country, in my visions I see the sea, lots of greenery, plenty of sunshine and lashings of ginger beer
Victoria thurgood
7th March 2014
the countryside
Happy Homebird
7th March 2014
Long coastlines, Corfe Castle, steam trains and the Famous Five. Oh and lashings of ginger beer of course.
Anonymous
7th March 2014
beautiful @lucyirv