2018 - Marks and Spencer - The Collection - 6 Mince Pies

Next up we have Marks and Spencer 'The Collection' Mince Pies - the supposedly more refined and luxurious big brother of the regular M&S mince pies.

2016 - Harrods - Christmas - Alcohol-free Cranberry and Clementine Mince Pies

Most likely my last review of the year, but time to end with a banger! Harrods are back to defend their top spot on our ultimate leader board of all time great mince pies. The mince pies are not quite the same; the addition of clementine to thier mincemeat means these need to be re-assessed.... for you of course.

2016 - Aldi - Specially Selected - Exquisite - Luxury Hand Crafted 6 Mince Pies

I've been introduced to these by a few people all of whom have raved about them. Unfortunately, my local Aldi never seems to have these in stock. I've finally managed to get hold of them. Lets see what all the hype is about. Is there something I'm really missing out on.

2016 - Pret a Manger - Mince Pie

I thought it had been a while since I approached the high street coffee shops so here is the first of a popular coffee/lunch joint. They say you're never more than 10ft away from a rat in New York, well if you're in London, you're never more than 100 meters from a Pret! It seemed difficult to ignore them.

2016 - Iceland - Luxury 6 Mince Pies

So far each year, a certain housekeeping magazine seems to gain an inordinate amount of media attention with their "top 10 mince pies"... I mean, what do they know!? Literally, one sentence reviews, no evidence of how they reached their decision, have they even tried all the mince pies?? Nevertheless, they claim these Iceland Luxury mince pies are 2016's best. Well... now we have a real mince pie tester on the case, lets see how they fair (with our open, comprehensive and honest reviewing process).

2016 - Heston [Blumenthal] from Waitrose - 4 Spiced Shortcrust Mince Pies with a Lemon Twist

We haven't really seen or heard much of Heston Blumenthal recently, so when I saw these on the shelf in Waitrose, I think I let out an uncontrollable squeal of joy. HESTON IS BACK! He's been busy in the kitchen with Waitrose coming up with these and a number of other Christmas related treats. My review of Heston's previous mince pies is the most viewed review to date. Can these new ones upstage the old in every way?

2016 - Co-op - Irresistible All Butter 6 Luxury Mince Pies

As I sit down to write this, I'd just read that Co-op Energy has just had to fork out £1.8m for customer service failings. Maybe they were busy investing in their mince pie recipe for this ye.... haha sorry I couldn't even finish writing that its so crazy - after all they're energy and food divisions likely to be separate legal entities, but I digress. With negative Co-op news circulating, lets see if their mince pie regains those lost energy customers as food customers.

2016 - Aldi Specially Selected All Butter Cognac Laced 6 Mince Pies

Aldi have returned with what appears to be the same mince pie last previous years, as hawk eyed readers will notice the same pattern on the mince pies. However, eagle eyed (because I'm assuming an eagles eyesight is better than a hawks) will notice that in our last review the mince pies were laced with brandy, now they have cognac. So, now I've publicly justified reviewing them, lets see how they do.

2016 - Sainsburys Taste the Difference 6 All Butter Mince Pies

Sainsburys are up next. I'm going to say it from the start, its not going to be a pleasing mince pie review. Sainsburys have done it again...

2016 - Tesco's Finest - All Butter Pastry Deep Filled Mince Pies

Next up we have Tesco's finest*. It hasn't always been the finest in the strict definition of the word - I've always wondered where the asterisk next to the finest links to... but I digress. Lets see where this years' entry fit in.

2016 - Mr Kipling - 6 Deep Filled Mince Pies

We're back and we thought to kick off this year's mince pie reviews with one we haven't reviewed for a couple of years. Mr Kipling; almost a British institution in itself, we're wondering whether they've kept up with the times.

Tesco Finest - All Butter Pastry - 6 Deep Filled Mince Pies

I have been reviewing mince pies (on and off lately) for a number of years now. However, nobody has pointed out that I'm missing a Tesco's Finest mince pie review from the leaderboard! Does nobody eat them? Do people think they are not worth eating? Lets find out.

Sainsbury's - Christmas by Sainsbury's - 6 Deep Mince Pies

The moment I saw these on the shelves I know this was going to be a short review. So, lets not waste any more time than I have to.

Aldi - Specially Selected - 6 Mince Pies

Last year's very close runner up is back to see if they can take over that top spot from Harrods. Have Aldi kept with the same recipe, or have they tried something new. Lets find out.

Morrisons - Signature - All Butter Deep Filled Mince Pies

I thought I'd change things up this year and buy a mince pie from the Morrisons Signature range. I'm beginning to notice that many of the standard mince pies from the big supermarkets are all very similar. Lets see if their premium range is worth the extra pennies.

Mr Kipling - Exceedingly Merry - 6 Mince Pies

Mr Kipling always seems to be one of the first mince pies of the season I try. Maybe I have high hopes for it, or it is just a good bench mark to start the season off with? Lets see how it fairs.

Better late than never, right?

It may be the large bowl of habanero popcorn I've just eaten, but for the start of November it is still worryingly warm. 

And the Winner is.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We are proud to announce that The Mince Pie Administration's top rated mince pie for 2013 with an amazing score of 90.7 out of 100 is.... [insert drum roll here].....

Udi's Gluten Free - Mince Pies

The first (and most likely last) time this year we'll see a gluten free mince pie on this blog! Udi's Gluten Free have stormed the UK from across the pond (USA) with their range of Gluten free foods to help those suffering from Coeliac disease, gluten sensitivities or for people who generally want to cut gluten from their diet for a healthier lifestyle. Udi's were kind enough to send me some of their mince pies to see how they compare to their gluten filled brothers. It's going to be a tough challenge!

Selfridges & Co - 6 Nut Topped Mince Pies

Now this is going to be complicated. We have two varieties in this one box of mince pies. 3 of them are almond topped and 3 are walnut topped. Yes, I know it would have been easier to just have just reviewed 6 of their their standard mince pies, but when they're bought for you, I cannot really complain! On closer inspection of the ingredients, the only difference is the topping on each mince pie, one walnut and other almond. Therefore, this review will proceed as normal, but we'll take into account the different toppings on each. Make sense? Lets go.