Marks and Spencer's Celebration Melton Mowbray Pork Pie

This wasn't Just any Pie, this was a Marks and Spencer "Celebration Melton Mowbray Pork Pie", or "Celeb Pork Pie" as the receipt informed me.

The first thing I noticed when I picked up this pie was the weight. This was one heavyweight pie weighing in at 440g. No expense had been spared on the design, with the distinctive Great British bunting decoration printed on the packaging.
Opening the box revealed the pie in it's full glory. Standing proud before us was a large glossed pie with encrusted Union flag encrusted on top.

The maiden incision in to the stiff upper crust had so much resistance it nearly fractured my forefinger. Pushing through the pain barrier the crust remained firm as the knife cut through the pastry and meat down to the final crunch of the base. 

The cut revealed a beautifully rustic meat core that appeared less processed and firm than many we've reviewed in the past. The meat was surrounded by a moderate, but not overly generous protective layer of gelatin.

Taking my first bite I realised this was probably the moist meat I've had in mouth this year. The meat was succulent and melted away off the tongue with fine seasoning balancing favours as they penetrated the meat to excite my palette. The pastry was just as full of flavour as the kernel of this pie, this was likely enhanced by the fatty grease on the undercarriage of the pie.

The pie was a delight to consume, the not so complex but complimentary flavours were a real hit with other pie partakers. This really was a celebratory pie.

Flavour balance: meat: 74%, pastry 23%, gelatine 3%

Overall Score: 9/10