When I received an unexpected package from our erstwhile editor, Brian, I was naturally curious to find out what was inside. As I upended the envelope, two tins of Altoids came tumbling out. (editor’s note – thanks go to the gang at Altoids for the tins).

At first, I was a bit puzzled, since Brian is fully aware how much I hate things that are hot or spicy, and regular Altoids certainly fall in that category. On closer inspection, however, I realized these were actually licorice (or “liquorice” if you want to get all British on me) Altoids. I had no idea they even made licorice flavored candies, and I immediately opened a tin.

My first impression was unexpected. They actually weren’t bad. And curiously strong? I think not! In fact, these were downright tame! Heck, I might as well just chew them right up…

This is where you smack yourself in the forehead and mutter something along the lines of “moron.”

As the fire erupted in my mouth, I could be heard yelling “The fire, the pain! Help!” as I ran to the kitchen to drink directly out of the milk container. I may have run over two small children in the process; I really have very little recollection of the incident. I think my subconscious has blocked it out so I don’t spend the rest of my life curled up in a little ball mumbling about how evil Altoids are and how I should have known better.

Needless to say, I didn’t like these. In fact, I can say with all honesty that I loathed these. Not only do they not taste like licorice, but even if they did, you wouldn’t be able to tell because all the taste receptors on your tongue are being burned to a crisp. Ok, not really, but that’s what it feels like. I can easily say that anyone who likes regular Altoids should have no problem with these, since there is pretty much no licorice flavor and you must have no taste buds to begin with.

Buy Liquorice Altoids online:

• at Amazon
• at Candy Crate

candy, sweets, licorice, liquorice, Altoids, mints

Sometimes new ideas are so obvious you wonder why they weren’t thought of earlier. Altoids, the curiously strong mint, covered with dark chocolate – it’s one of those things that should have been done a long time ago. Despite the fact that these don’t officially hit stores until December, the gang at Altoids sent me two tins of each flavor so I could get a sneak peek at what’s to come and share my thoughts on them.

The tins they come in are the same size and shape of their naked brethren but with a dark chocolate color to them and the tins say things like “curiously chocolate” and “a curious and original chocolate experience”. Each one is generously dipped in dark chocolate making them look like small Junior Mints. There is a noticeable seam all around the circumference of the mint (barely visible in the above pic) which must be due to the way they dip them.

When I got the package opened, I went straight for the cinnamon, my favorite Altoids flavor. The chocolate works surprisingly well with the cinnamon. The chocolate looks and tastes just like the chocolate on a Junior Mint and is nice and sweet and tastes great. You can suck on them for a minute and melt all the chocolate off and you are left with a plain Altoid or you can just chew it up right away – both ways deliver great taste.

I tried the peppermint next and it was even better than the cinnamon. It’s like a crunchy Junior Mint. I found myself just crunching them up immediately and reaching for another. Great stuff. Here’s my prediction: within a year or so we will see individually wrapped Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Altoids mints used as after-dinner mints at high-end restaurants. You heard it here first. If Altoids isn’t already working on this, they should get to work.

As for the Ginger, I had my first plain Ginger Altoids yesterday and hated it. Call me a wimp, call me what you will, but those are rough. I didn’t think covering them in chocolate would help, but I gave it a try. Nope. Not good. I had to eat some of the Cinnamon and Peppermint ones afterward to get that ginger taste out of my mouth. If you already like Ginger Altoids, you might like the chocolate-dipped ones, otherwise, I would steer clear.

The Peppermint and Cinnamon ones are great though. Look for them in stores soon.

• Altoids website
• Previous Chocolate-Dipped Altoids coverage on Candy Addict

candy, sweets, mint, mints, ginger, peppermint, cinnamon, Altoids, chocolate

UPDATE: Read our review of these here!

Just 12 days ago, we mentioned the announcement of the Chocolate-Dipped Altoids (coming before the end of the year). Two days ago I get an email from someone saying they have some for auction on eBay. Ever the skeptic, I asked who the seller was and how they obtained them. Turns out the seller is an Altoids employee and the proceeds are going to charity (The American Red Cross – which my wife works for) so I am inclined to believe the seller. I even made the first bid on them (I’m pipa).

As of this writing, the bidding is up to $172.51, which although the money is going to charity, I just don’t understand. If they were in special tins, or the tins were signed by someone famous, or the tins were numbered 001 or something, I could understand it since they might increase in value. As far as I can tell though, these are the same items that will be on store shelves by the end of the year. If you REALLY want to try them you could easily make your own chocolate-dipped Altoids (just without the tin). Maybe Golden Palace will buy them for a bunch of money and The Red Cross will get a ton of money from it.

UPDATE: the three tins of Altoids sold for $182.49

• Chocolate-dipped Altoids on eBay
• Our previous mention of the announcement of Chocolate-Dipped Altoids

candy, sweets, chocolate, altoids, mint, mints, chocolate altoids

UPDATE: We got our hands on all three flavors – read the review!

A reader tipped me off today about this one (thanks, Enrique!) … Two days ago, on July 25, Wrigley’s issued a press release. Buried inside it with a lot of blather about profits, growth, and stock was an interesting announcement – chcolate-dipped Altoids by the end of the year:

“Next month, we will be unveiling exciting new creative behind our flagship Altoids brand; and by year end, as the clear leader in mints, Altoids will introduce the next great innovation to the category — chocolate-dipped mints — in time to make it an especially Happy New Year for our customers and consumers.” said Ralph Scozzafava, Vice President – Worldwide Commercial Operations.

Interesting. It never occurred to me, but why not? We have Junior Mints and York Peppermint Patties and have proven mint and chocolate go together. Why not put chocolate over “curiously strong” Altoids? According to the tin above, they are using dark chocolate – no word if milk chocolate will be available. My guess is that it won’t. Judging from the picture above, it looks like they will be packaged in tins as we all assumed they would be.

I searched all over the place and could find no further information online. We’ll keep you updated as this story develops. (I always wanted to say that.)

• Full Wrigley’s press release

candy, sweets, altoids, mints, chocolate, chocolate altoids, new products, covered

I stumbled on this yesterday while browsing the Altoids site – it’s an Altoids Singing Telegram you can send via email to your sweetie for Valentine’s Day. Yes, it’s a blatant ad for Altoids Mango Sours, but it’s got some features that make it worth checking out. It has about 100 or so first names you can choose from and the singer will actually sing the name you choose. If your sweetheart doesn’t have a common name, you can choose a novelty name (at the end of the list) like Pumpkin, Schnookums, or Tiger (try “Insert Name Here” too).

The singing telegram is LONG and is different depending on whether you choose Woman to Man, Man to Woman, Man to Man, or Woman to Woman. Be sure and try each one if you have the time – they are all entertaining/funny. It’s definitely tongue-in-cheek, but it made my wife and I laugh while we watched them. The production values are GREAT – it’s worth a look.

Altoids Singing Telegram

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