Ben & Jerry's Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream

Update 2015:  Just a quick update to say that this flavor has made the transition to Non-GMO status. After scooping a bit, I do think the spices are slightly off balance, but overall I can't say anything has really changed from my original review (which you can find below). I think the real difference now is that there is a lot more competition in the pumpkin spice space nowadays with the Talenti version doing it's best to lead the pack.

Ben & Jerry's Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream

with a graham cracker swirl

[Original 2010 Review] Sorry it took so long to post this. I picked it up with the new B&J Carrot Cake flavor but went with that review first... actually, as I sit here with my Pumpkin Cheesecake aftertaste, I can discern some of the same spices that showed up in the carrot cake. Interesting.

So here it is, pretty simple really: Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream with a Graham Cracker Swirl. If you are like me, you'll be hoping for light on the cheesecake flavor and heavy on that always tasty graham cracker swirl.

Yeah, this picture is pretty nondescript unless you look real close. There are tiny pumpkin (or spice) bits floating throughout and you can see a bit of that graham cracker swirl in the bottom left region. Notice it's a long thin swirl though but there are a few occasional clumps. I served everyone else first hoping to hit a gold mine of swirl, but I only had limited success.

Opinions? Well my daughter was not a fan, but I didn't expect her to be. My wife is a big fan of all the other cheesecake flavors and this one is no exception. Me? Well, it's definitely got some strong points. The pumpkin flavor is natural but not potent (which I appreciate). The swirl is excellent, but there needs to be more of it. It's got a nice creamy texture which reminded me a bit of the DQ Pumpkin Pie blizzard. The cheesecake flavor isn't huge, it's kind of hiding underneath. You take a bite and that cheezy-ness is there in the background, adding just enough to the texture to make you think "I think I'll leave this one for my wife" hehehe I wasn't nailed by a pure cheese taste at any point, but it's definitely there overall.

So, it's well made and it almost won me over, but I doubt I'll scoop anymore.