Informal supper sharers
If you want to put biscuits out after supper, decide whether an ordinary bourbon or a chocolate-coated biscuit better matches what guests expect.
Who is each format for?
Chocolate-gift buyers
If you are buying for someone else, consider whether they would prefer their favourite biscuit or a presented box offering a choice of chocolates.
Hosts checking allergens
Check the exact pack against each guest’s requirements. Ingredients and precautionary allergy statements differ between the biscuit and chocolate examples.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the treat guests or the recipient expect, then check the pack itself for suitability and quantity.
Ordinary bourbon biscuits
Choose when: You want chocolate-flavoured sandwich biscuits for informal sharing.
Bear in mind: A packet of bourbons is neither chocolate-coated biscuits nor an assortment of individual chocolates.
Chocolate-coated bourbons
Choose when: The recipient wants bourbon biscuits with a chocolate coating; the Tesco and M&S examples each list 52% milk chocolate.
Bear in mind: They are still biscuits, and the checked Tesco coated and ordinary packs have different dietary labels.
Boxed chocolates
Choose when: Gift presentation and a choice of chocolates matter more than serving bourbon biscuits.
Bear in mind: Check the recipient’s preferences and allergens; the M&S milk, dark and white selection box carries specific allergy warnings.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Treat format | Check whether the pack contains filled biscuits, coated biscuits or individual chocolates. A coating does not turn a bourbon into an assorted chocolate. | I want to serve the kind of treat my guests expect, whether that is a biscuit with tea or a choice of chocolates after supper. |
| Gift presentation | Look at the packaging and the stated selection of chocolates. The checked M&S box contains milk, dark and white chocolates; that does not describe every chocolate box. | If this is a gift, I would rather match the recipient’s preferred format and flavours than choose by the word “chocolate” alone. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the exact pack’s ingredients, dietary label and precautionary allergy statements. Tesco labels its checked ordinary bourbons vegan and its checked coated bourbons vegetarian. | Someone eating these may have an allergy or a dietary requirement, so I need to check the product I actually serve. |
| Quantity and storage | Check pack weight, the date on the delivered pack and its storage directions. Tesco and Waitrose direct shoppers to keep their checked ordinary bourbons in an airtight container after opening. | I need enough to share and want to know how to keep any biscuits left after supper. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing bourbons when someone expects assorted chocolates
A chocolate-flavoured filling or coating does not make a packet of biscuits a box of individual chocolates.
Decide whether biscuit texture or a boxed choice of chocolates matters more to the recipient.
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Assuming similar-looking treats have the same ingredients
Tesco labels its checked ordinary bourbon pack vegan and its coated pack vegetarian, while the checked M&S chocolate assortment carries allergy-related unsuitability warnings. Those statements apply to the specific products.
Check ingredients and precautionary statements on the exact pack against the requirements of the people who will eat it.
Relevant brand examples
These examples illustrate different product formats; a brand name alone does not establish which format or ingredients a particular pack has.
Tesco
Tesco lists both ordinary bourbon creams and milk-chocolate-covered bourbons.
- Its checked 296g ordinary pack is labelled vegan; its checked 162g coated pack is labelled vegetarian.
- Neither listing is an assorted chocolate gift box. Check the label of the pack you receive.
M&S
The checked M&S examples include coated bourbon creams and a boxed milk, dark and white chocolate selection.
- M&S lists 52% milk chocolate for its checked coated bourbons; its checked box offers different chocolate types.
- The checked selection box says it is not suitable for people with a nut allergy or coeliac disease. Assess the exact product rather than applying that warning to every M&S item.
Waitrose
The checked Essential Bourbon Creams are an ordinary biscuit option, not a chocolate gift box.
- Waitrose lists the checked 400g pack as vegan and says to store it in an airtight container after opening.
- Those details concern this pack; check its delivered label before serving.
McVitie's
McVitie's Tasties Bourbon Creams are a branded ordinary-biscuit example listed by Morrisons in a 300g pack.
- The Morrisons listing describes chocolate-flavour cream between chocolate biscuits.
- Its listing says the biscuits contain wheat and may contain milk and sesame; they are not a box of chocolates.
Joybuy options for supper or gifting
These options include boxed chocolates for gifting or sharing and one chocolate-coated oat biscuit for informal sharing. The oat biscuit is not a bourbon, so check the format before choosing.
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Nestle Black Magic Dark Chocolate Box 348g
A boxed dark-chocolate option when the recipient wants chocolates rather than bourbon biscuits. Check the pack’s contents, ingredients and allergy information before sharing.
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Thorntons Classic Chocolate Box 449g
A boxed-chocolate choice for a gift or for putting chocolates out after supper, rather than serving biscuits. Check the selection and allergy information on the pack.
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Tony's Chocolonely Tiny Tony's Mix Gift Chocolate Box 180g
A mixed-chocolate gift format, not a packet of bourbon biscuits. Check the individual varieties and allergy information against the recipient’s preferences.
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Celebrations Chocolate Sharing Giftbox 300g
A chocolate giftbox format for sharing rather than serving biscuits. Confirm its contents before ordering: the supplied contents description conflicts with the giftbox title. Check the pack’s allergy information before serving.
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McVitie's Chocolate Hobnobs 431g
A chocolate-coated oat biscuit to put out after supper. It is neither a bourbon biscuit nor a box of assorted chocolates; check the label for guests’ allergens.
Common questions
Are bourbon biscuits the same as boxed chocolates?
No. An ordinary bourbon is a chocolate-flavoured sandwich biscuit, while a boxed chocolate assortment contains individual chocolates. A chocolate-coated bourbon remains a biscuit.
How should I keep bourbon biscuits after supper?
Follow the directions on the pack you bought. Tesco’s checked bourbon listing says to store the biscuits in a cool, dry place and use an airtight container after opening.
Does a vegan label mean a bourbon biscuit is suitable for someone with an allergy?
No. Dietary and allergen suitability are different checks: Tesco’s checked vegan bourbon contains wheat and says it may contain sesame. Read the delivered pack against the person’s specific allergens.
What should I check when choosing chocolates for a gift?
Check that the recipient wants a box of chocolates rather than biscuits, then look at the stated varieties, pack size and allergy information. Do not assume every chocolate box contains the same selection or suits the same dietary requirements.