Is the Russell Stover Molasses Chew as good as Whitman's?
VS 
The Most Delicious Chocolate Morsel in ... the Whitman's Box.
Okay, so if you know me you might know that my all time favorite chocolates are Whitman's. I don't know if it's the fact they have an all "milk chocolate" sampler box or if it's because in a 12 oz box there's only 2 chocolates I won't eat: coconut...yuck. Whatever it is, Whitman's chocolates are my all time favorite. It's January, so naturally it's nearly Valentine's Day in the retail world. I bought myself a Whitman's Sampler box and opened it up excitedly to eat pretty much the whole box in one sitting. Don't worry - I didn't...I have a little self control. I usually start by eating the chocolate covered peanuts and almonds first...they aren't the tastiest, but I like them. I usually pick out a toffee because they give you two in the top layer and it's one of my favorites. Then I decide when I'm going to pick out my very favorite, the most amazing chocolate: The Molasses Chew. Thankfully with Whitman's they give you a guide, so I don't have to taste test each long piece before finding the one that will put me in a chocolate coma. I decided that day...I should eat it and then put the rest of the chocolates away for another time. (See, self control!) As I put that delicious morsel in my mouth...bite by bite...I feel like Remy in Ratatouille with the fireworks going off in my head as the taste explosion floods my mouth with the wonderful flavors of chocolate and molasses. In three quick bites the experience ends, but the happiness lingers.
 |
| Russell Stover Molasses Chews |
A Bit of Research
It's at this point in the story I begin talking to my friend about the deliciousness of said chocolate. Since I bought two boxes (there was a sale), I knew I would have 4 chocolates in which to divulge into a flavor explosion in the near future. I thought to myself, "What if I could buy these outside of the sampler?" TO THE INTERNET! After a quick Google search, it comes to my attention that Russell Stover now owns the rights to Whitman's Chocolates and actually produces them! I don't like Russell Stover boxed chocolates nearly as much as Whitman's...so how can this be?!? Either way, I was on a mission to find the molasses chew and so that I did. To my extreme satisfaction, I discovered I could order - direct from Russell Stover - a 19.5 ounce box of deliciousness. Wait...but these are Russell Stover Molasses Chews - not Whitman's. I honestly didn't know the difference. I realize the internet is full of bloggers, and people like me who will do anything in the name of science (well, only if it means taste testing tons of chocolate). I started looking up the differences. There were quite a few posts here and there about the differences between the two and the general consensus is that Russell Stover chocolates win on price, but taste wise: Whitman's all the way. They did not, however, ease my concern of the difference between the Dark Chocolate Molasses Chew. I decided...it was time for an experiment: IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE!
 |
| 4.75oz Russell Stover Chocolates |
Time for Chocolate
As I already had 2 boxes of Whitman's...I knew I just needed a box of Russell Stover chocolates. Thanks to my prior "extensive" research on the two brands, I knew all I needed was the heart box of Russell Stover chocolates in order to get a RS Molasses Chew. In fact...this guide was so helpful that I also knew one of 2 chocolates that it would be! Yay for not having to figure out which one that nasty coconut was before finding my coveted molasses. I obtained my Heart Shaped Russell Stover chocolates (on sale!) and headed home to start my scrumptious investigation.
 |
| The Blank Spot is the Molasses Chew. You're welcome. |
Twins, Sisters, or Opposites??
So upon opening the Russell Stover package, I went for one of the two I knew it would be. Naturally it was the wrong one so I knew which one was correct. I got my Whitman's Molasses Chew out of the box and placed it next to the Russell Stover one. The Russel Stover chocolate is slightly larger than the Whitmans in width. Both are dark chocolate, but the Russell Stover has a milk chocolate drizzle, while Whitman's chose what probably is a white chocolate drizzle. In appearance alone, I'm more enticed by the contrasting colors on the Whitman's chocolate. As I take a bite inside, both pieces reveal a nougaty (I know it's not a word but you get me) looking center. Honestly filling-wise, they look the same.
 |
| Mmm Nougaty Goodness |
The Taste of Victory
I went for the Russell Stover first. It was the new comer to the game, and I knew if the Whitman's beat it out, I'd just think the Russell Stover was no good to begin with. I took a small bite. It was chewy as a molasses chew should be and flavored well, I was not disappointed. The firework explosion was not as much as I remembered with Whitman's but I was still satisfied with the taste. After a bit of mulling over, it was time for Whitman's. My small bite was far more chewy than Russell Stover's. As I chewed for a moment, I saw the fireworks of flavor explode in my head. It was delicious, wonderful, and everything I love about a molasses chew. Whitman's was still the winner.
 |
| Still my Favorite |
Ounces of Chocolate
Now that my experiment is over, it's the decision time. Should I invest in the 19.5 ounces of Dark Chocolate Molasses Chews I can get from Russell Stover Directly? Obviously I still love Whitman's more, but I have to purchase an entire box that I really don't care about all of the pieces of. With a collection of JUST Molasses Chews, I don't have to worry about a coconut catastrophe. I don't have to decide when to eat my last remaining chew because I've had nearly 19 ounces of them. The Whitman's chew will ALWAYS be my favorite of the two, but the Russell Stover option is pretty darn good as well. Will I spend the $15 on chocolate? In the near future, I might. I won't do it today but if I'm feeling the need for chocolate, I would consider it as an option. I know I'll let any future significant others know about the website. If anyone wants to buy my chocolates, bite the bullet and get me a massive box of Dark Chocolate Molasses Chews from the Russell Stover website. Honestly, if you buy me a box of Whitman's, I'll love it...but it'll last maybe a week. I will savor the chews. Those things will last me a month for sure because one (or two if I have that many!) is enough to satisfy my craving. It's the one thing that puts me in a state of deliciousness long enough for me to forget there is more chocolate to eat. Go for the Gold...then buy me a box of Whitman's while I wait on shipping ;)
