So, you've already tried the Niederegger Classic Marzipan bar. You've devoured the deliciously moreish Niederegger Hazelnut Toffee Loaf (which also happened to be the Loaf of the Year 2020). You've even worked your way through their marzipan hearts and mini loaves. So, what next for a marzipan connoisseur such as yourself?
How about a Gin and Tonic marzipan? Perhaps a Rum marzipan or a Mirabelle Plum Brandy marzipan? How about an Apple Calvados marzipan? These are the four varieties found in the 16-piece Classic Liqueur Collection Box by Niederegger.
It just so happens that in my latest bundle of treats sent to me by Niederegger via Hertfordshire-based Chocolates Direct was a 200g box of boozy chocolate-covered marzipans. So, are they worth buying?
Packaging
Niederegger's packaging is often exceptional, with the right balance between multilingual information and sleek aesthetics. This gift box is no different.
Niederegger's trademark white, red and gold packaging benefits from a green band that sits over the clear window through to the marzipan loaves inside. Together with the blue, orange, gold and green colours of foil that individually wrap each loaf, the packaging is a feast of complimentary colours. Altogether, it works to create something quite sleek and sophisticated, that looks ripe for giving as a special gift.
Lift the lid and you'll find 16 marzipan loaves, in four groups of four. Each flavour benefits from a different colour of paper-foil wrapper:
- Blue: Gin and Tonic
- Orange: Rum Croquant
- Gold: Mirabelle Brandy
- Green: Apple Calvados
The loaves sit inside a golden plastic tray to keep them in place during transit. There's minimal wasted space here.
Flip the box over and you'll find the rear is covered in text, albeit in many languages. The ingredients and nutritional lists appear in German, English, French, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.
Niederegger Classic Liqueur Collection Box ingredients:
Almonds (38%), sugar, milk chocolate (14%) (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa mass, emulsifier (soya lecithin), vanilla extract), dark chocolate (14%) (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, emulsifier (soya lecithin), vanilla extract), invert sugar syrup, apple (0.9%), rum (0.7%), hazelnuts (0.7%), alcohol, Mirabelle plum brandy (0.5%), gin (0.5%), natural flavourings, glucose-fructose syrup, Calvados (0.3%), natural apple flavouring with other natural flavourings, dried lemon preparation (dextrose, maltodextrin, acidifier (citric acid), concentrated lemon juice), acidifier (citric acid). Cocoa solids: 50% minimum (dark chocolate); 33% minimum (milk chocolate). Milk solids: 14% minimum (milk chocolate).
On average, these chocolate-covered marzipan loaves contain just under 39% sugars. The calorie information is based on the entire product, but on average, each bite comes in at under 63kcal.
Niederegger Classic Liqueur Collection Box Review
These Classic Liqueur loaves are a collection of marzipan spiked with booze which are then covered in a thin milk or dark chocolate shell.
The loaves are made up of around 71% to 72% of marzipan, and are coated in a smooth shell of chocolate. The underside of the loaves are imprinted with the Niederegger branding.
- Gin and Tonic is the flavour name, but what we have here is actually a gin and lime marzipan sealed in a dark chocolate shell. It's probably a good thing too as quinine isn't always a palatable flavour. A boozy aroma dances with the rich cocoa notes from the chocolate shell. The aromatics and botanicals of the gin come through clearly at first, which is then followed by a wave of warmth from the alcohol. The lime flavour doesn't really come through as much as I'd like, but was always meant to be a background flavour anyway. The sweet almond marzipan centre is kept in check by the rich dark chocolate, without a trace of bitterness.
- I love a good rum chocolate, and it's always best when the recipe features authentic rum rather than a synthetic alternative. Here, a rum marzipan is blended with crispy pieces for crunch, and smothered in milk chocolate. The rum flavour comes through clearly, although isn't as forceful as I expected. The crunchy pieces add a nice textural contrast, while the milk chocolate enhances the sweetness of the marzipan. Again, there's a wave of warmth from the alcohol that peaks just before the end and lingers into the aftertaste.
- Fruity notes dominate the flavour of the Mirabelle Brandy marzipan loaf, with notes apricot, tropical fruits, and stone fruits coming through at the top, with a subtle spiciness beneath. While its aroma teases these flavours, it doesn't prepare you for this sublime cocktail of fresh and vibrant flavours. Paired with the dark chocolate shell for richness and depth, this is a wondrous combination, and the flavour lingers long into the aftertaste. This is my favourite in this collection, as it perfectly toes the line between true flavour and alcoholic punch.
- The aroma of the Apple Calvados marzipan teases deep notes of orchard fruits, such as apples and pears. Indeed, it's green apple flavours that come through clearly, with hints of cider notes and a boozy undertone that creeps up beside it. The milk chocolate shell helps to add a little extra sweetness and creaminess to round the flavour, with a warming apple flavour that leads into the aftertaste.
Liqueur chocolates can be a tricky thing to get right. Opt for synthetic flavours and they can often be a disappointment. Choose the real deal and you could end up with an overpowering flavour combination. Niederegger strikes the right balance here, with clear boozy flavours at the forefront of the marzipan, with the additional satisfaction of dark or milk chocolate shells.
As a gift, this box ticks all the boxes. It looks pretty, the loaves inside are beautifully presented, and the flavours are authentic and true to form. If you're looking for a marzipan gift that ups the ante, try this Liqueur Collection.
If you're after something a bit bigger, Niederegger also produces equally wonderful-looking gift boxes of their classic and flavoured mini marzipan loaves. Believe me, it really is a thing of beauty.
Niederegger Classic Liqueur Collection Box Review
RRP: £8.99 | Niederegger | Shop now
A fabulous collection of liqueur-based marzipans, with four distinct flavours in the box, with a mix of dark and milk chocolate shells. For me, the Mirabelle Brandy marzipan loaf is the pick of the crop for its vibrancy of flavour, but the others are also very good too.
Where to Buy Online
The 200g 16-piece Niederegger Classic Liqueur Collection Box is available from specialist stockists, including Chocolates Direct, Amazon°, and Buy Flowers Direct.
Do you prefer boozy marzipan or the original variety? Let me know in a comment below.
