Right, now we’re in different territory. The “Specially Selected” range is Aldi’s attempt at premium, and with handcooked crisps, they’re taking a direct swing at Kettle Chips and Tyrrell’s.
The swing lands.
These are genuinely excellent. The crunch is substantial and satisfying, with that distinctive handcooked shatter that feels more artisanal than industrial. Each crisp has character, with the irregular shapes and folded edges that suggest actual craft rather than conveyor belt uniformity.
The flavour balance
“Lightly salted” often means “barely seasoned” in crisp terms, but Aldi has got this right. There’s enough salt to enhance the potato flavour without overwhelming it, and the potato flavour itself is notably better than the standard Snackrite range. You can actually taste the vegetable.
The oil quality seems higher too. There’s none of that slightly rancid aftertaste that plagues cheaper handcooked crisps. These taste clean and fresh.
The catch
They’re still not quite Kettle Chips. There’s a marginal difference in the depth of flavour that the very best premium crisps achieve. But we’re talking fine margins here, and at Aldi prices, these are remarkable value.
Genuinely impressive.
