Another in the Walkers' TASTE ICONS range - and 1 of 2 Pizza Express flavours (the only restaurant to have 2) although we've really struggled to get hold of the Margherita version of this).

The American hot is a great pizza - Spicy pepperoni with hot jalapeno peppers, a classic in most pizzerias. But how does that translate to crisps?

Well it certainly doesn't have an immediate hotness, it starts with a tomatoey base, a pickled tang, turning into a smokey cheese and then eventually you start to feel the hotter side of the jalapeno. I can't seem to taste anything slightly like pepperoni in there.

I have to say it makes for a very strange flavour. Having the tang of jalapeno way before the hit of it is an interesting effect.

4/10

With so many amazing Burger options available to us now, I'd almost forgotten about Gourmet Burger Kitchen. I do however remember their peanut-butter burger being pretty amazing (I am after all intensely addicted to peanut flavouring).

They've gone with a classic cheeseburger for their Taste Icon flavouring with Walkers. 

I can't say much about there being a beef-like flavouring in there but what I feel like I can taste (but doesn't seem to be in the ingredients) is a really nice dill pickle tang - Dill pickle really is the best flavouring you can get on crisps in the US of A.

Sure there's a sweet tomato flavour (pretty much prawn cocktail) and a slight tinge of cheese - but the best of the flavour is in that pickle and a little, very welcome hint of mustard. 

8.5/10

Next up in the TASTE ICONS range from walkers - Yo! Katsu Curry.

I'm not sure Katsu is what Yo! is known for... but Sushi would make for a pretty disgusting crisp I guess - Rice/seaweed/fish flavour? No thanks!

I'm a fan of Katsu, even if the flavour can sometimes taste like a cheap iceland microwave curry flavour. Sure it's trashy, but with a crunchy chicken it's definitely one of my favourite Japanese dishes.

They've hit the Katsu nail on the head here. The flavour is exactly as it should be and tastes really nice. I'm glad Walkers didn't try to add their chicken flavouring into this as it would undoubtedly becoming a bit sickly as a result. These really are quite good.

8/10

Since lockdown here in the UK, some of our most frequented restaurant chains have shut down. It's quite shocking really, how quickly Walkers rolled these out.. it's almost as if they knew.. or were holding them on standby for such an occasion! Either way we've been able to enjoy some interesting collaborations. Starting here with a favourite, Nando's. 

Whilst it gives the flavour as Peri'Peri chicken, it doesn't mention with hotness level - there sure are some massive differences! I'm going to have to take a guess.

On first taste - there's a definite citrus tang that would pair it with lemon & herb, but as the flavour permeates through my taste buds I'm inclined to say that it's something hotter in there - the bell pepper hit is coming through and i'd put somewhere between a medium heat and lemon & herb. The chicken undertone is a classic chicken flavouring from Walkers. There's also a heavy amount of Paprika it seems, which does surprise me. You can see if in the colour of the crisp.
​I'm less of a fan of the lemon so afraid it's a 6/10

Here we have the missing piece of the jigsaw from my reviews of Walkers' STRONG range - the rest of them went down pretty well, but the clear winner so far has been Chilli & Lime - they got a massive 9/10 which is rare.

Fiery Peri has been given a rating of EXTRA HOT and after my first taste - I have to agree, they really have a hearty bite that would keep you warm on a winters day.. only its sunny and my mouth is burning. That's not to say it's not welcome, I love a good intense spice - these are SUPER peppery and have a good paprika undertone to the chilli pepper spice. They also have a sour-vinegary-tang to them, even though that's not in the ingredients, maybe t comes from the citric acid? Either way it's not entirely welcome to my palette.

They're not for the faint of heart, but they've definitely woken me up.

7/10

Ok now we have the last and highest Hotness level in the Mexican Party range from Mini Cheddars..

The minis are visibly darker from the seasoning so i'm expecting something intense.

And you know what - it's intense but for my taste buds not actually as spicy as the Nacho Cheese & Jalapeno flavour labelled as less spicy underneath it - it's funny how different types of spices will effect different taste buds. This a truly smokey, garlicky hit of intense flavour that is truly welcome swimming around in my mouth like a wild dolphin slapping the sides of my cheeks releasing more and more flavour. 

I'm going to eat a lot of these..

9/10

Next up in the Mexican party range, Who's cheese is that? That's not Nacho Cheese! & Jalapeno. (sorry couldn't resist).

I'm blasting into this range all in the same day as i'm just desperate to taste them.

Well, we already know that mini cheddars are capable of a damn addictive cheese crisp, so as we delve into the next level of spice (Medium) I have high expectations.

They've hit the buzzer - of course they've hit the buzzer! The Jalapeno hit is true and deep, the cheese is intense, smokey and creamy, would maybe be too much on its own but paired a hot, pickley Jalapeno hit - it's superb.

9/10

NEW FROM MINI CHEDDARS! It's the Mexican party range. We all know the Mexican's know how to party and damn do they make some good food, so this is a great spring/summer flavour to bring out. Each one has a different of spice - i'm starting at the bottom with "Fresco" level.

I have to be honest - i'm not usually a fan of lime flavoured crisps, the sour tang just doesn't hit my tastes buds well -  I steer in the opposite direction of Doritos "Hint of lime" crisps...

But I am really pleasantly surprised - the lime is not overpowering and whilst definitely lime, reminds me more of the tang you'd get from Worcester sauce or pickled onion flavour. It's perfectly paired with a hint of chilli but grounded by the classic cheddar staple. A welcome treat, can't wait to try the rest!

8/10

Here we have a new brand of crisps to hit the UK, and they certainly look different. 
They bare more similarity to cheese crackers than crisps, but they're super light & flaky so definitely couldn't hold a dollop of Humous. 

In my opinion they are TOO light, and could do with double the thickness to give a satisfying crunch - where as these leave lots to be desired.

In terms of flavours - the whole range is based upon Capital cities. Ripe Tomato being the flavour of ROME. The flavouring here is almost floral, as lightly seasoned as their crunch is lacking. It's not the sweet tomatoey flavouring we're used to getting from our beloved Prawn Cocktail. I'm interested to see what the rest of the range might have to offer, but these i'm afraid don't hit the mark. 

3/10