Bar None: Sebastian's Ice Cream Raises The Bar Once More With The New Candy Bar Inspired Dive Bar Collection

Just when you thought the unconventional wizard of decadent frozen treats in the local ice cream scene is done with one innovative new creation, he's back with another. Sebastian's Ice Cream introduces his most decadent Dive Bar collection yet, and here's a sneak peek...

Bar none, this is probably the most indulgent and opulent Dive Bar collection by Sebastian's Ice Cream. The new collection features five hand dipped ice cream bar creations in Polvoron, Cookie Dough, Dark Chocolate Asin Tibuok, Butter Pecan and Hazelnut Heaven inspired by candy bars. Introduced a few months back, read on for the five best-selling Dive Bars at The Podium Shop and on-line store of Sebastian's Ice Cream...

The creative process behind each Sebastian's Ice Cream variant can be long and tedious, but it always pays off in the end. In the case of the new Dive Bar collection, it took roughly two years on and off from conceptualization, endless experimentation and final execution leading to the top five variants in terms of sales since its introduction a few months back. In the usual characteristic style of Sebastian's Ice Cream, each meticulously hand crafted and hand dipped Dive Bar is unapologetically unrestrained with pure indulgence. 

Inspired by popular candy bars with nougat, nuts and caramel fillings enrobed in a thick veil of velvety smooth chocolate, figuring out the complex layers and proportions for that perfectly decadent bite was a tricky one. But leave it to Sebastian's Ice Cream to elegantly sort it all out. Chocolate was the obvious star ingredient draping and enrobing the new Dive Bar line, and choosing the right chocolate was equally tricky. A long-time advocate for local produce, Sebastian's Ice Cream selected the local artisanal brand Risa Chocolate using single-origin cacao from South Cotabato for the Milk and 70% Dark Chocolate bars in the new collection. For the White Chocolate and Gold or caramelized white chocolate covered bars, Sebastian's Ice Cream used the renowned Belgian brand Callebaut. The result? Pure ice cream indulgence on a stick. 

From the flavor combinations to the premium ingredients, the new Dive Bar collection by Sebastian's Ice Cream literally raises the bar in a class all its own. No other local ice cream bar comes close and should give the familiar imported premium ice cream bar a good run for the money. Now, let's start...

...with the Polvoron (P 185). That's right, Sebastian's Ice Cream reimagines the sweet powdery and crumbly local staple in an ice cream bar. It's the delicate layering of the various components that make it work from the toasted pinipig ice cream bar topped with polvoron shortbread hand dipped in Callebaut white chocolate. That delicate crunch from the Callebaut white chocolate is followed by the sweet polvoron crumble over silky smooth toasted pinipig ice cream draping the palate with a medley of indulgent even nostalgic notes. The Callebaut White Chocolate may be the star of this frozen creation but it's ably supported by an equally stellar cast of polvoron shortbread and the toasted pinipig ice cream coming together in a lavish ice cream bar. Who would've thought polvoron could be this indulgent? Leave it to Sebastian's Ice Cream to surprise you with his lavish and even unexpected ice cream alchemy. 

The aptly named Hazelnut Heaven (P 195) brings a delectably indulgent play on textures and rich notes in one bite with its blend of creamy and nutty hazelnut ice cream layered with gianduja fudge or chocolate hazelnut paste gently rolled in roasted hazelnuts and delicately dipped in Risa Milk Chocolate. 

The deep notes of Risa Milk Chocolate drapes the palate with a lingering richness while the distinct notes of hazelnuts in the form of the ice cream base, the chewy fudge and roasted nuts adds a flavorful depth. Chocolate and hazelnuts combine for a decadent duo of indulgence in this Dive Bar by Sebastian's Ice Cream. 

Taking a cue from one of their bestselling scoop flavors at The Podium and online store, there just has to be a Cookie Dough (P 195) Dive Bar in the new collection. And Sebastian's Ice Cream transforms the well-loved flavor into another must-try rendition in ice cream bar form. 

Imagine a rich vanilla ice cream bar layered with unbaked chocolate chip cookie dough then dipped in Risa Milk Chocolate. It's the play on the mild chewy texture of the cookie dough on silky soft ice cream covered in delicately crisp Risa Milk Chocolate that just makes you go for another bite. This one's a proper and fitting rendition of Sebastian's Ice Cream's bestselling scoop flavor reimagined in a unique ice cream bar. 

The Dark Chocolate Asin Tibuok (P 195) is Sebastian's Ice Cream's homage to the local culinary heritage of Bohol featuring the artisanal sea salt. Combined with the dark chocolate ice cream hand dipped in Risa 70% Dark Chocolate, this Dive Bar boasts of pure, bold and deep notes. The pronounced and intense flavors of the rich dark chocolate are enhanced by the vibrant yet subtle sharpness of the asin tibuok for that contrasting yet perfectly balanced finish. Fans of dark chocolate will appreciate the pure, solid and flavor forward chocolatey notes of this Dive Bar. 

Save the best for last? The Butter Pecan (P 210) with brown butter ice cream bar rolled in roasted pecans and tediously hand dipped in Callebaut Gold Chocolate is another must-try from the tempting Dive Bar collection of Sebastian's Ice Cream. And probably the most opulent too. 

The richness of the brown butter ice cream coats the palate like a comforting hug followed by the nutty sweetness of the roasted pecans and the enrobed Callebaut Gold Chocolate or caramelized white chocolate. Each bite becomes more intense and flavorful than the last with the nutty sweetness of the roasted pecans complemented by the brown butter ice cream and the Callebaut Gold Chocolate. Lavishly rich with nothing held back, make this your cheat day pick or a well-deserved reward to yourself. 

Picking just one from the new Dive Bar collection of Sebastian Ice Cream isn't easy. Each one truly deserves a spot on anyone's list. The latest collection by Sebastian's Ice Cream is a bold statement, with no other local brand in the same level or category in terms of flavors and premium ingredients. Bar none. The new Dive Bar collection by Sebastian's Ice Cream can easily stand on its own and even keep in step with the premium foreign brands in the market. It's that good. As you enjoy your Dive Bar, Sebastian's Ice Cream is already hard at work for the next series of creative renditions to add to his menu. And you can bet there's always something exciting at The Podium outlet and online store. 

For more information on Sebastian's Ice Cream, visit their website and online store at https://sebastiansicecream.com/ for orders, pick-up and delivery. You can also visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/Sebastiansicecream/ for more updates and view the entire range of frozen offerings.

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