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.