A taste test of supermarket bourbon biscuits has found that Tesco and Marks and Spencer both outscored the branded McVitie's version, with each earning a perfect 10/10 rating. Aldi's own-label biscuits finished bottom of the rankings with a score of 4/10.
The comparison covered own-label offerings from Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Asda, Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer, alongside McVitie's. Each biscuit was assessed for taste and value for money.
Bottom of the rankings
Aldi's packet, priced at 64p for 300g, was among the largest in the test but was judged overly hard and bland. The biscuits differed in shape from the branded version and many competitors, with what was described as insufficient cream filling. It was rated 4/10.
Sainsbury's biscuits, at 43p for 200g, were also considered too hard, though they contained more cream and were darker in colour than the branded variety. The texture proved disappointing, earning a 5/10 rating.
Mid-table results
Lidl's biscuits, also 43p for 200g, were rated 7/10. They featured the traditional shape and, despite being somewhat firm, had a far more pronounced and authentically bourbon flavour than the lower-ranked options. They were noted as tasting slightly dry.
Asda's biscuits, priced at 70p for 300g, were rated 8/10. They had a pleasing, crumbly texture, were virtually identical in appearance to the branded versions, and boasted the right amount of cream.
Winners and runners-up
McVitie's, at £1.14 for 300g from Asda, scored 9/10. The biscuits delivered a satisfying crunch with a soft, pleasantly chocolatey filling that was not overwhelming.
Marks and Spencer's offering, 50p for 165g, was rated 10/10. It had a considerably thicker layer of cream than its rivals, with a smooth and velvety taste. The only drawback noted was that the packet was the smallest of the bunch.
Tesco tied for first place, with biscuits priced at 63p for 296g. They surpassed the branded version and had the closest resemblance in appearance, with a perfectly proportioned cream filling and a texture that was neither too firm nor too crumbly.
