After my first taste of Highland Chocolatier truffles last month at my #loveFifefood adventure, I wasn’t expecting to have a repeat tasting quite so soon, but when Iain Burnett offered me another taste of some gourmet chocolate, how was I to refuse? (I know, it’s a tough life).
The home of the Highland Chocolatier is in picturesque Perthshire and this is where Iain Burnett has the Scottish Chocolate centre, a veritable haven for chocolate lovers. Using both high quality chocolate and fresh Scottish ingredients, these are some of the most recognisable chocolates in the UK.
I was sent from there a mini selection of chocolates to review and it was a true lucky dip as when they arrived, as I had no clue what flavours to expect from the box! My box arrived perfectly intact and was securely packaged, having two layers of protective wrap to guard it from being squashed or damaged in transit. Bigger boxes have magnetic closures and are in decorative red and gold luxury boxes.
This first chocolate was a dark chocolate truffle. Simple, smooth, yet luxurious!
This beautiful floral designed chocolate hid a sharp citrus filling that was completely natural tasting – none of that horrible synthetic lemon flavouring you can find in equivalent chocolates! Lemon and dark chocolate are a great pairing.
Inside this striped rectangle was a very tasty caramel filling. I’m sure I could taste a hint of liquorice too, which normally I’m not too keen on, but it worked well! (Edit: On the day of publishing, Iain was awarded gold at the World Chocolate Awards for this very truffle!)
Finishing on my favourite – I loved this beautifully intricate chocolate – filled with a fragrant passionfruit filling.
Iain has been making chocolates for ten years now and, looking forward to the next decade (and beyond!) the Scottish Chocolate Centre now also has an audio chocolate tasting tour in his revamped Chocolate Lounge.
While relaxing with a hot drink , visitors can (coming soon) listen to Iain’s own Audio Tour – explaining why Highland Chocolatier chocolates are so special, followed by a tasting of contrasting origin chocolate as well as an assortment of some of the chocolate truffles. I’ll certainly be heading for a visit next time I’m heading down the A9 from Inverness!
I was invited to post a review Highland Chocolatier chocolates in exchange for a sample box of goodies. All opinions are my own.
Thanks Susan, Just FYI the audio tours are not yet available. Light lunches no longer served.
Thanks Iain,I’ve amended the post with that information.
Hi Susan, what a talented chocolatier Iain is. They’re all works of art and you’ve photographed them beautifully. I have to admit that I’d never heard of the chocolate centre – but I now know where to take my wife for a treat now!
Thanks David!