Monday Munchies - Ben & Jerry's Bonnaroo Buzz

Do you know when my favorite time of year is?  It's not autumn, even though it is beautiful seeing the leaves turn.  It's not Spring, despite that being the time of year when women shed their winter layers and show off their feminine curves.

No, my favorite time of year is when Ben & Jerry's and Haagen Dazs release their new flavors.  That's the time of year that I look forward to the most.

Remember that one episode of The Simpsons when Homer enrolls in Krusty's Clown College?  In the beginning of the episode Homer is transfixed on his way to work because it's New Billboard Day.  Well, I'm similarly mesmerized by new flavors of ice cream.



When I first heard about Bonnaroo Buzz, I honestly didn't know that to think.  I mean, naming an ice cream flavor after Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee seems like typical Ben & Jerry business. But still "Bonnaroo Buzz" has one of those flavor names full of ambiguity that gives you little clue of what's involved.  Cherry Garcia, you sort of know what you're getting into.  But Bonnarro Buzz gave me little hint of what I was in store for.

Well the flavor profile didn't blow me away.  It's coffee & malt ice creams with a whiskey caramel swirl and English toffee pieces.  I'm not the biggest fan of coffee flavored anything and the whiskey caramel swirl only sounded mildly interesting.

On the other hand, I really dig malt ice cream and toffee is probably my favorite candy.  I don't know how I fell in love with toffee, but it's one of those rare substances that I can't get enough of.

But once I tasted the ice cream, I was sold.  The coffee and malt ice creams blend really well together and make for a strong, almost savory taste. The whiskey caramel fits in perfectly with a rich flavor that's got just a hint of sweetness.

As for the English toffee pieces, it's all about perspective.  It's debatable if they're actually "pieces."  I've had a couple pints now and I've had "pieces" that are almost the size of a third of a Skor bar.  I love toffee, so I didn't have a beef, but if that's not your bag consider yourself warned.

All in all Bonnaroo Buzz is a tasty ice cream, packed with flavor and not too sweet, but in a good way.  It's almost unorthodox in that way, but if you like flavors at bit off of center, you should certainly give it a shot.