Packet #49 - Mackie's Haggis & Cracked Black Pepper

The joys of writing a crisp blog. Firstly, we get to eat as many crisps as we want, whenever we want. Secondly, we get sent crisps from exotic places such as Scotland and Cambridgeshire. This particular selection came to us thanks to fellow crisp lover Rónán and his travels to Scotland.

This is the first time I've tried any of the Mackie's brand. They made their name as an ice cream manufacturer after generations of dairy farming at Westertown farm. Now calm down. I can hear you screaming, "What the hell are they doing making crisps!?" It's OK though Mackie's have teamed up with potato producers Taypack in attempt to make “the perfect Scottish crisp”.

Anyway enough of the history lesson, onto the crisps. I was impressed that they were all in tact as the pack had been posted to me. There was a strong meaty smell arising from the package and I couldn't wait to get stuck in. The first flavour to hit was a powerful peppery punch. The more I munched the more flavours came through finally leaving a spicy white pudding like flavour tingling my taste buds. They were good and crunchy which enhanced the intensity of the delicious spicy meatiness. Having these delights wrapped up in a strong wax like paper ensured that the crisps were kept fresh for my consumption.

Mackie's use the tag line... taste one and the rest just disappear! Well that didn't quite happen. It was a big 150g bag and even though I was sharing with a friend it was still too much. Still a delicious treat and I'd love to try some of there other flavours, namely Flamegrilled Aberdeen Angus and Scotch Bonnet Chilli Pepper. The one flavour I would like to see Mackie's try, seen as it's their history, is ice cream. That would truly make them the perfect Scottish crisp. Get on it Mac!

Deano.

Competition Time!

When you arrive at this blog, do you think "yes! I love crisps! But these guys don't know nothing about them." Well you have some attitude, but now is your chance to set the record straight! We want you to review your favourite packet of crisps! Send in your review and a pic of the pack to ablogaboutcrisps@gmail.com the winner will be notified via an electronic mail and published next week! So get munching and get writing! One thing though, make sure we haven't reviewed them already!

Mark & Deano

Packet #48 - McCoy's Bacon Sizzler

Rashers. Rasher sandwiches. Not Irish? Bacon. Bacon sandwiches. These things are absolutely delicious, however the only thing that could possibly be nicer than a Rasher sambo are Rasher Crisps. Or Bacon Crisps if you will.

It seems McCoy's agree, and therefore came up with the plan of making Bacon Sizzlers. They're not the first crisp company to attempt a bacon flavoured crisp and hopefully not the last. But are they any good? Are they better then their main rivals in this particular genre? Packet #32

Well yesterday I attempted to find out. I got the pack from a vending machine, I was starving, so the part where the machine begins to "vend" as it were, was particularly nerve racking. Fortunately for me, this was a class machine and the crisps arrived promptly. And off I went.

There was plenty of crisps in the bag which is always a sign of confidence. The crisps were all of a decent size something you'd come to expect from McCoy's. On the back the packet ensures you that because they are "Ridged" crisps the hold the flavour better, this particular claim may have no scientific grounding but it seems to work all the same as each crisp was jammed with a nice smokey flavour. The whole experience left me highly satisfied, I even shared some with friends one of which was so happy with them, he went and bought a packet himself (90c fyi). The only thing I would say though, is that my fingers were left with a bacon scent to them for the rest of the day. Not necessarily a bad thing though, in fairness.

Are they better then Hunky Dory's Smokey Bacon? I'm going to say yes.

Mark.

Packet #47 - Meanies Hot & Spicy

When perfection is achieved, why change what you've been doing? Many crisp companies are constantly trying to tweak and change the flavour of their crisps to enhance it. Often when the pack in question is quite fine just the way it is. The same goes for bringing out new and EXCLUSIVE flavours. These new flavours are always going to be compared to what has come before. ALWAYS. That's why I was skeptical, worried even, when purchasing this latest pack of Meanies, Hot & Spicy.

Meanies are probably my favourite anytime crisps. So automatically I was going to be extra harsh on the new boys. However, as Peter Falk would have put it, there was just one more thing, they were absolutely DELICIOUS! I've ranted before how crisps mascaraed as hot & spicy so now I'm going to focus on the positive. The balance between the hot and the spice was perfect, it allows a nice flame like sensation to develop in your mouth as you contemplate shoving the next handful of deliciousness into your mouth. The heavy crunch and corny texture we all know and love from the pickled onion bunch carries through here to add even more delight to the pack.

I'm not sure what else I can say. I'm delighted with Meanies Hot & Spicy. So delighted in fact I think I'll go out and buy enough boxes of them to make a new bed for myself. And yes, I will be making bed covers out of the empty packs.

Deano.

Packet #46 - Corkers Sea Salt & Black Pepper

Sneaking things out of pubs is great fun. Last night I successfully smuggled a fancy mojito onto the street. As I swayed towards the Nitelink I couldn't help but feel I had achieved some sort master stroke, a drunk Robin Hood or something.

This morning however I thought otherwise and the only thing that could possibly make me feel better? Crisps, of course! I came across a pack that had been lying around the house for some time, Corkers! Sea Salt & Black Pepper Flavour. They promise a 'Natural British Crunch' I'm not sure what an un-natural British Crunch is, but it's not here and Corkers seem delighted with that fact.

It's rare to come across black pepper flavoured crisps, usually in posh places that sell all sorts of home-made organic stuff. But let's not dwell on poshness, it's all about the crisps. And there are plenty of crisps inside the bag (which is a lovely bag btw - it provides a great weight). The crisps vary in size which is also nice and the flavour is epic, quite spicy overall. Before chilli's and jalapeno's came about pepper was the defacto spice monger in town, and so it carries on in these lads. A great bag of delights, texture wise it's quite heavy but once you get over that you'll be guaranteed some tasty treats! Also, they're from 'East Anglia' - I don't even know where that is.

Mark.