Reviewing the best-selling candy in Lexington, Kentucky

We sampled some of Lexington’s most popular locally-made candies.

and

No tricks here — it’s time to treat your sweet tooth to something local. | Photo by LEXtoday

Table of Contents

Hey, y’all. Aaron here. 👋

Since I’ve been writing this newsletter, you’ve probably learned a few things about me by now — I love basketball, the Red River Gorge, and hanging with my family.

But did you know I have a massive sweet tooth?

Since it’s Halloween week, I figured it was time to sample some of Lexington’s top-selling, locally-made candies.

But I couldn’t go on this journey alone. So I brought my 7-year-old son along to sample, review, and rank candies made in the Bluegrass.

a father and his son

After all, who is a better candy expert than a 7-year-old? | Photo by LEXtoday

The review

Here’s what we tried, ranking each candy from one to five:

  • Chocolate-covered potato chips | Old Kentucky Chocolates | Salty, sweet + unconventional
    • Aaron’s score: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫
    • Kid’s score: 🍫
  • Milk Derby Mint | Old Kentucky Chocolates | For fans of mint juleps + mint chip ice cream
    • Aaron’s score: 🍫
    • Kid’s score: 🍫🍫🍫🍫
  • Chocolate-covered caramels | Sharp’s Candies of Kentucky, 2021 Regency Dr. | MilkyWay’s ain’t got nothing on this
    • Aaron’s score: 🍫🍫🍫🍫
    • Kid’s score: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫
  • Saddle snacks | Sharp’s Candies of Kentucky, 2021 Regency Dr. | Similar to Snickers, but extra nutty — made with pecans
    • Aaron’s score: 🍫🍫🍫
    • Kid’s score: 🍫🍫🍫
  • Bourbon balls | Ruth Hunt Candies, 213 Walton Ave. | Tourists love them — locals are indifferent
    • Aaron’s score: 🍫🍫🍫
    • Kid’s score: 🍫🍫
  • Blue Monday | Ruth Hunt Candies, 213 Walton Ave. | A candy that’s been made in Kentucky for almost 100 years — dark chocolate coating with a candy-cream center
    • Aaron’s score: 🍫🍫
    • Kid’s score: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

The verdict

  • Winners:
    • Chocolate-covered caramels | This was the candy that received the highest combined score. This one is a sure-fire bet to satiate any sweet tooth.
    • Chocolate-covered potato chips | I gave this a perfect 5/5 due to its unique salty + sweet qualities. I thought this would be a good choice for a party — talk about a conversation starter. My son, however — was not impressed.
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