Sampling America’s Rarest Oreo: Espresso Creme

OREO Thins act as the sleeker, more refined branch of the OREO lineup. These slimmer twists on the classic sandwich cookie lean toward elevated indulgences such as Chocolate Ganache, Tiramisu, and Irish Creme. While espresso naturally fits among those flavors, the new Espresso Creme OREO Thins aren’t stocked alongside them. OREO produced a mere 1,000 packs of these newcomer Thins for an online giveaway, and they were generous enough to share an early sample for us to try.

Why is OREO gating a flavor behind an ultra-exclusive giveaway?

I’m not entirely sure of the reasoning, but I know the concept isn’t brand-new. In a similar move last year, OREO released 1,000 Cherry Blossom Matcha OREO Thins through the same kind of giveaway: sign up, receive a release-day email, be among the first 1,000 to complete your order, and score a pack of rare cookies for a modest shipping charge. (The initial shipping fee was $13; this time around, it’s down to $3.)

My stance on the previous holder of the “Rarest American OREO” crown was mixed. Could the new champion fare any better? Will I be more puzzled by the idea of locking certain OREO flavors behind what amounts to a lottery system? There’s only one way to find out; let’s take a look and see whether the resale value of a box remains intact.

OREO Thins Espresso Creme Cookies Review

Fresh OREO Thins are on the way

Pros: The Espresso Creme variety stands out because the classic wafers pair beautifully with a pronounced coffee kick. The coffee flavor is so bold that I’d be hesitant to try it in the standard or Double Stuf formats; I didn’t think Thins was the ideal shell for the last exclusive flavor, but Espresso Creme feels perfectly suited to this form. If you manage to snag a box, you’re unlikely to be disappointed… unless luck isn’t on your side.

Cons: It’s genuinely puzzling that these won’t hit store shelves; OREO has a genuine winner here. I understood why the previous giveaway-only flavor warranted rarity, but coffee isn’t exactly an unpopular choice in the United States.

Rating:

9/10