I tested supermarket own-brand bourbons – a cheaper biscuit tastes just as good as McVities

DUNKING biccies into a cup of tea is becoming an expensive habit – but which bourbons are the best?

As prices on so many products soar, the cost of some of our favourites has risen by as much as 42 per cent.

Lynsey Hope has tested supermarket own-brand bourbons compared to Mcvitie’sCredit: Gary Stone

A 300g pack of Morrisons‘ own label Bourbon Creams (300g) has risen from 59p to 75p – a 27.1 per cent increase, research by The Grocer found.

Meanwhile, a pack of Bourbons from leading brand McVitie’s will set you back 70p.

This is bad news for biscuit lovers, especially as Bourbons are a firm favourite in the UK.

But are there any cheaper alternatives that might give them their Bourbon fix?

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Lynsey Hope, 41, from West Malling, Kent, tried out some own brands and here she shares her favourites:

Morrisons Clayland Bourbon Creams (200g)

50p
25p per 100g
Calories: 63

Lynsey was disappointed by Morrison's bourbons — Lynsey was disappointed by Morrison’s bourbonsCredit: Gary Stone

Lynsey says: “Dry and a bit disappointing. The biscuit was crumbly and not sturdy enough for a bourbon.

“There wasn’t enough filling and what was sandwiched in the middle wasn’t really creamy enough for my liking.

Aldi Belmont Biscuits Bourbon Creams (200g)

33p
16.5p per 100g
Calories: 69

Aldi's bourbons were among the cheapest in our test — Aldi’s bourbons were among the cheapest in our testCredit: Gary Stone

Lynsey says: “Firm biscuits with a subtle but enticing chocolate aroma as you open the pack.

“I like the overall flavour and think a lot of this was down to the creamy filling, which was lovely.

“The biscuit itself was a bit lacking and needed more richness for me to enjoy with a cup of tea.

“But for the price, these will do.”

TASTE: 7/10
VALUE: 9/10
OVERALL: 8/10

Tesco Bourbon Creams (296g) – WINNER

49p
17p per 100g
Calories: 68

Lynsey crowned Tesco's biscuits the winner — Lynsey crowned Tesco’s biscuits the winnerCredit: Gary Stone

“These were lighter in colour than many of the others but they tasted good.

“They had a rich chocolate aroma and a milky sweetness. The kids said they tasted like Codo Pops.

“The flavour of the biscuit was delicious and was a nice balance against the sweet and creamy chocolate filling.

“The biscuit had a nice ‘snap’ too.

“They are more expensive per 100g than Lidl, Aldi and Asda but I thought they were worth a few extra pennies. Delicious.”

TASTE: 10/10
VALUE: 10/10
OVERALL: 10/10

Lidl Tower Gate Bourbon Creams (200g)

33p
16.5p per 100g
Calories: 68

Lidl's pack of Bourbons cost the same as Aldi's — Lidl’s pack of Bourbons cost the same as Aldi’sCredit: Gary Stone

Lynsey: “These too smelt a bit like Coco Pops but the taste was disappointing.

“The biscuit was nice with a delicate cocoa flavour but there wasn’t enough chocolate cream filling and what there was felt a bit grainy on the tongue.

“They are a good price if you’re not terribly fussy.”

TASTE: 5/10
VALUE: 8/10
OVERALL: 6/10

Essential Waitrose Bourbon Creams (400g)

75p
18.7p per 100g
Calories: 68

Waitrose's bourbons had lovely aroma and snap, according to Lynsey — Waitrose’s bourbons had lovely aroma and snap, according to LynseyCredit: Gary Stone

Lynsey says: “Very classic in shape and size from Waitrose, these were rather nice.

“The biscuit had a lovely aroma and snap with delicate cocoa flavours.

“There wasn’t loads of filling but it was just the right amount of sweetness to make you want to go back for more.

“They looked identical to McVitie’s – you really couldn’t tell the difference – but are better value.

“Not the cheapest but not the most expensive either – and a lovely big family sized pack.”

TASTE: 8/10
VALUE: 8/10
OVERALL: 8/10

M&S Food Bourbon Cream Biscuits (150g)

35p
23.3p per 100g
Calories: 62

M&S biscuits contain fewer calories than the restCredit: Gary Stone

Lynsey says: “These look shorter and wider than all the rest but I was really impressed.

“They had more filling and a delicious creamy flavour.

“I found them very addictive and more-ish and the pack didn’t last long at all.

“They’re lighter in calories than all the others too so that’s another plus.

“They’re not cheap however – equivalent to McVitie’s – but I’d say they’re worth a few extra pennies.

“I can’t wait to go back for my next packet.”

TASTE: 10/10
VALUE: 7/10
OVERALL: 9/10

Asda Bourbon Biscuits (300g)

50p
16.7p per 100g
Calories: 68

Lynsey found Asda’s own-brand version was a bit blandCredit: Gary Stone

Lynsey says: “These smelt lovely but I thought the biscuit was a bit too bland the filling a touch too sweet.

“The biscuit was very crumbly with no real snap. A good-sized 300g pack though at a good price for families.

“The kids didn’t complain when I let them help themselves after school.”

TASTE: 6/10
VALUE: 8/10
OVERALL: 7/10

McVitie’s Tasties Bourbon Creams (300g)

70p
23.3p per 100g
Calories: 68

McVitie's biscuits fell apart when dunked in a cup of tea — McVitie’s biscuits fell apart when dunked in a cup of teaCredit: Gary Stone

Lynsey says: “The biscuit did have a lovely flavour and the filling was tasty too but they were quite crumbly and fell apart when dunked in a cup of tea.