The pros: Trader Joe's Glazed Walnuts with Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup was a seasonal discovery that I wish I had picked up more bags of. It's something past candied, it's delicious.
The cons: This is a seasonal item
The verdict:
Some foods are harder to describe than others. This literally kept disappearing out of my cabinet. I bought a bag. Put it away. Within 24 hours any trace of this bags existence had vanished. This happened five or so times make this almost as hard to photograph in my house as say photographing Big Foot or the Loch Ness Monster. I remembered seeing it, but just did not have a camera in hand to capture it.
On a recent Trader Joe's run, I decided to put an end to such foolishness. I came home with 6 bags hoping that perhaps I could document just one of them untouched by human hands. Or at least one where my husband did not just leave the sugar coated remnants for me to wonder why the bag did not make it to the trash.
But I completely understand why these did not last long in my household. They were so very good. If you've ever had candied nuts, then you know about the magic that is sweet and salty. These are sweet, but not cloyingly sweet, salty, and a touch smokey. They have a texture that is beyond just nut, the sugar coating adds a distinct texture.
While my household has consumed more than a dozen of these bags since opening the first bag right before Christmas, they were a hit. However, as Trader Joe's website indicates that they are seasonal. However, since this blog started more as a food blog, but evolved into a food review site, I don't think these will be terribly difficult to replicate (other than not having any more Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup in the house). Once the last bag runs dry, I'll start experimenting and get back to you.
For $3.99 per bag, this is well worth if it they are still hanging around your local Trader Joe's. Really well done with a taste and texture that should be a year round item. I'm sure there are lots of things you can do with this beyond eat it straight from the bag. My husband and I just never let these have a chance.
Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:
The bag of Trader Joe's Glazed Walnuts with Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
How Trader Joe's describes this:
Out of the package you get:
Would I buy this again? If I can still find them, then yes I will pick up another 5 or so bags of Trader Joe's Glazed Walnuts with Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup. They rarely last more than a day or two in my house once they are opened.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Dag says
Oh my gosh. Thanks for this review. I can't wait to try these!
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! If you can find them consider yourself lucky. The last two trips I could not find them and the signage was removed. I'm working on a copycat style recipe. If you do try them, I would hear your thoughts!
H M says
They have cases of them in the Bethesda, MD store. I just purchased 8 bags this afternoon. I would be happy pick some bags of the Glazed Walnuts with Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup up for you and mail them to you.
Dag says
Oh my gosh. This has nothing to do with the almonds but when I read HM's reply and saw Bethesda Maryland it took me back. I grew up in Bethesda Maryland. I lived on a street called Cheshire Drive behind Wildwood Shopping Center. I think the main drag that runs by Wildwood shopping center was called Rockville Pike. I can't believe they have a Trader Joe's in that general area now . Oh the memories.
H M says
Come back for a visit anytime, Dag 🙂 I will gladly take you on a tour of the many TJs stores in the MD/DC area. I am in Friendship Heights, right over the District line (literally, if you cross the street you are in DC). Rumor has it that the store in Rockville is the largest on the East Coast. The store in Bethesda, which is the store that I walk to, is quite small. And, the MD TJ stores do not sell alcohol, unlike the DC stores.
Dag says
Thanks for the offer HM! I might very well take you up on it the next time I travel back there. I have so many fond memories of Maryland as I should since I lived there until was 28! And I certainly have food memories! I recall a place called Roy's Place (I think). It had 100? or a 1000? different sandwiches....lol. There was a triple decker seafood sandwich that was awesome. On their own baked bread there was a layer of shrimp salad, a layer of lobster salad and a layer of crab salad. Big chunks. Holy cow it was uber tasty & costy at the time....$15. It was huge....easily 8 inches high. I also recall an awesome pizza place....square pizzas...family owned, possibly over the line in Silver Spring. Some of the best pizza I have ever had.
Dag says
I am not sure my original response uploaded. Having computer probs lately. HM-thanks for the offer & I may very well take you up on it when I travel back there next time. I grew up in Maryland & was there until I was 28. I have alot of great memories of Maryland. One of those memories is certainly food. There was a sandwich place called Roy's Place that had something like 100 or 1000? sandwiches. One of them was an awesome seafood sandwich - one layer of shrimp salad, one layer of crab salad & one layer of lobster salad. Big chunks on homemade bread. Triple decker. It was costy at the time-$15. So worth it. And there was also funny/mock sandwiches.......Diet Sandwich.....ice cubes between two slices of white bread was one. I also recall a pizza place on the border or actually in Silver Spring. Square pizza. Family owned. Still some of best I have ever had.
becomebetty says
Hey HM. I've been meaning to get back to you. I just found out the Larchmont, NY has a whole bunch. I walked out with 12 bags. I'm hoping that will keep us for a while. I appreciate the thought!
H M says
Sorry, Roy’s Place has closed. (see: https://patch.com/maryland/gaithersburg/roy-s-place-has-served-its-final-sandwich ) But, we have tons of other restaurants, so you certainly will find yourself hungry. Brenda, I give you permission to provide my email address to Dag. Thanks!
Dag says
O.....M.......G!!!!! I just got home from Trader Joe's and opened up a bag of these. They are phenomenal. Buttery, mapley, crunchy, walnutty, sweet but not overly sweet. And not a heavy bourbon taste either, just enough. I bought the last three bags they had although they are getting another shipment of them tomorrow at my Trader Joe's. I think I'm going to start making steel cut oatmeal in the morning and adding these.
becomebetty says
I just got back from the Larchmont store. I walked out with 12 bags. Glad you enjoy them as much as I so.
Dag says
I am definitely going back for more & freezing some!