These look posh from the word go, with their understated mostly-black packaging, embellished with some festive decorations. The windowed box invites you in, and first impressions are very good.
Co-op have chosen an eight-pointed star-on-a-star design, and each pie has a generous sprinkling of caster sugar. This very welcome touch adds a crunchy texture when biting into these, as well as a passing resemblance to snow.
The pie is a generous depth, and the filling is rich and plentiful, moist too. The pastry thickness of the sides, base and lid is just right, although is lacking a pinch of salt to counterbalance the heady sweetness of the mincemeat. A proper hit of booze too, definitely from spirits.
Everyone liked these, and the box disappeared rather swiftly.
Packaging – 8
Appearance – 8
Filling – 9
Taste – 9
Overall score 34/40