Tillamook consistently churns some of the creamiest ice creams we’ve encountered on the market. Their offerings are incredibly smooth, well-balanced, and typically execute flavor with impressive precision. So whenever a new variety joins their lineup, we’re quick to grab a tub and sample it firsthand for ourselves.
Fortunately for us, to mark National Coffee Day, Tillamook revived a familiar option—Espresso Chip—for a limited-time run. Once we secured a scoop, we knew we’d share our take with you and let you know whether you need to dash out to celebrate on September 29. Here are our official impressions.
Our Official Sporked Review
Pros — For starters, this frozen treat, like most Tillamook ice creams, stands among the creamiest options available in the United States. It possesses a luxurious texture that competes with even the priciest, most high-end brands. You can detect the genuine dairy presence in every bite, and as a brand, I believe Tillamook isn’t elevating their ice cream craftsmanship any further than this, especially considering that a quart and a half can retail for under $10.
The flavor profile of this ice cream base is also among the finest espresso/coffee flavors we’ve encountered in a long time. It delivers a rich espresso presence that traverses the palate with unmistakable clarity, leaving no doubt about the flavor you’re tasting. Moreover, the addition of the dark chocolate espresso bean chips provides not only a pleasant textural crunch but also deepens the espresso notes whenever you bite into a bean fragment.
There’s also a remarkable balance to this espresso ice cream that I don’t often find in coffee-forward sweets. While espresso naturally contributes bittersweet depth, the recipe carries a noticeable amount of salt as well. Introduce a hint of dark chocolate, and you begin to understand how salt can broaden the full spectrum of ice cream flavors. It’s truly impressive.
Cons — In our view, this is a near-perfect frozen dessert. The only potential drawback is that if coffee isn’t your thing, you’ll want to steer clear of this flavor. Every component carries a pronounced espresso punch that’s inescapable. For coffee lovers, it’s relentlessly appealing; if you hoped for a milder coffee presence, you’d likely be disappointed.
