Monday, October 3, 2011

Sweet Treats from Illinois Nut & Candy -- Product Review and Giveaway

Closed.  And, the winner is:  S

I recently had the opportunity to try samples from the llinois Nut & Candy, which included their bridge mix and strawberry cordials. Being a chocolate lover, how could I say no to sampling such sweet treats.  Upon arrival, I didn't wait long to tear open the box to get to the sweets inside.  I was impressed with how each sample was packaged in a clear cello bag, with a ribbon around it, along with a gold label describing the product inside.  I can see that the Illinois Nut & Candy company takes pride in their products and how they are presented and shipped to customers.  Other chocolates I have ordered online have come in plain bags, without much presentation to them. 


Like I said, I love chocolate and couldn't wait to try out the samples, so I began with the bridge mix first -- a favorite of mine. 


To thoroughly enjoy this type of chocolate, I usually like to sample each individual piece of chocolate and try to determine what type of nut or raisin is inside.  There was no exception with this bridge mix, and after a few minutes of taste testing, I thought to myself that this was one of the best bridge mixes I had tastes.  The chocolate was so sweet and delicious and the nuts were so fresh that they had a nice crunch to them.  The raisins were also plump and tasty.  


The Illinois Nut & Candy company used just the right amount of chocolate to cover the surprise treat inside each bridge mix piece.  Other bridge mixes I have tried (and at times spent top dollar on) lacked a real chocolately taste or didn't offer enough coverage of the nut or raisin inside.  I was left disappointed and wanting more -- but, not with the Illinois Nut & Candy bridge mix.  It exceeded my chocolate loving expectations and provided a delectable treat that I will be sure to order again, and give as gifts to family and friends this holiday season.

The second sample I received and tested was the Illinois Nut & Candy company's strawberry cordials


I am not usually a fan of cordials, but the was they were described on their website made me curious to see what I was missing out on.  Unfortunately, I can see why I don't usually like cordials.  After one bite, the strawberry juice poured into my mouth.  To me it was bitter and strong tasting.  It overpowered the luscious chocolate used in this product, taking away from the experience of eating chocolate.  I attempted a few more pieces, but each time I had the same reaction.  That night, I had my husband and family who had come to visit sample the strawberry cordials to see what they thought.  Surprisingly, they agreed with me that the strawberry juice was overpowering and left them with a funny taste in their mouths. I guess you have to have a acquired taste for cordials, one which I don't have, to really enjoy and appreciate these candy treats.  

Overall, my experience with the Illinois Nut & Candy company and their product line was a pleasant one.  I thoroughly enjoyed their bridge mix and love their chocolate.  I will definitely be telling family and friends about this company when they ask me for suggestions for upcoming holiday gifts and treats to get and put out for guests at holiday parties.

---BUY NOW---

If you want to experience the Illinois Nut & Candy company for yourself, click here to visit their online store to begin shopping.  Inspired by Savannah readers can take advantage of a special offer, 10% off their total order, by using promo code, "Savannah" at checkout. Please note that Illinois Nut & Candy does not ship internationally.

---GIVEAWAY---


Illinois Nut & Candy has graciously offered to give one (1) lucky winner the opportunity to try their bridge mix (the same one I tested and reviewed).  To enter, please complete the MANDATORY ENTRY first, and then as many EXTRA ENTRIES as you like.  Make sure to include your email address with the first comment, so that I can contact you if you win.

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Head on over the Illinois Nut & Candy website and let me know which product of theirs that you would love to try out. I bet you can't choose just one!



EXTRA ENTRIES:

(Please leave separate entries for each, along with your email address)

1) Subscribe to my blog via email or become a GFC follower (2 entries each)

2) Follow me on Facebook (1 entry)

3) Enter any of my other giveaways, leaving a comment with the name of the giveaway (1entry per giveaway entered)

4) Blog about this giveaway. It must include a link to this specific post, as well as a link to my blog, http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/. (In your comment, please leave a link directly to your post – 3 Entries)

5) Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)

6) Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry per tweet, per day; please include link to tweet in comment below)

Enter to #win Bridge Mix Chocolates from @illinoisnut @rmccoy1234 http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/ #giveaway (Ends 10/17)

7) Vote for me on picket fence blogs (See button on right side of blog -- One entry per vote, per day)

8) Add to a Giveaway Linky site  (5 entries)

9) Join Illinois Nut & Candy email list through Facebook. (1 entry)

10) Follow Illinois Nut & Candy blog. (1 entry)


11) Follow Illinois Nut & Candy on Facebook. (1 entry)


12) Follow Illinois Nut & Candy on Twitter. (1 entry)


Open to US residents only. Giveaway ends on October 17, 2011 at 11:59PM EST. I will then use Random.org to choose a winner. Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond to my email to claim prize. If I don't hear back from selected winner, I will draw another winner.


Disclosure:  I was sent a samples from Illinois Nut & Candy in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

54 comments :

  1. GFC follower - entry 1

    ReplyDelete
  2. GFC follower - entry 2

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  3. I follow you on FB.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I entered your Paper Scissors Rock giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I follow you on Twitter - amberjordan.

    ReplyDelete
  6. http://twitter.com/#!/amberjordan/status/121413445110349825

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  7. I voted on picket fence.

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  8. Followed Illinois Nut & Candy on FB.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Followed Illinois Nut & Candy on Twitter - amberjordan

    ReplyDelete
  10. I followed Illinois Nut & Candy's blog.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I joined the Illinois Nut & Candy mail list.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would love to try the Rainbow Bark

    ReplyDelete
  13. would love to try the Box of Truffles and Miniatures. Yum
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. email subscriber
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. email subscriber2
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. gfc follower (sl)
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. gfc follower (sl)2
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. follow you on twitter (tnsnx)
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. entered tru kid giveaway
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. entered scissor paper rock giveaway
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. voted for you on the fence
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Follow Illinois Nut & Candy on Facebook. (sus)
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would love to try out: Caramel Clusters Toffee Peppermint Pattie Party Tray

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  24. I Became a Public GFC follower (Maryann D.) #1 entry

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  25. I Became a Public GFC follower (Maryann D.) #2 entry

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  26. I Follow you on Twitter (macdrap50)

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  27. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Entered: Baby Gourmet Organic Baby Food Sampler Giveaway

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  29. Entered: Peter Rabbit Organics Baby Food Pouches

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  30. I entered: Ayala's Herbal Water

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  31. I entered Itty Bitty Heartbeats giveaway.

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  32. I entered: Feature Friday -- Prima Princessa's, The Nutcracker on DVD

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  33. Entered: What Are You Doing Sam?

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  35. I entered: Yoplait Frozen Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  36. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  37. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  38. The box of truffles looks good.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  40. I entered: Campbell's Select Harvest Soups

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'd try the Chocolate Drizzled Taffy Apple with Chocolate.

    leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I am an email subscriber

    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I am a friend of yours on facebook (Louis Here)

    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  44. following you on twitter @left_the_stars


    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I like Illinois Nut and Candy on facebook (Louis Here)

    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  46. following @illinoisnut on twitter @left_the_stars


    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete