Yes this is the moment you have all been waiting for the culmination of my year cycling across the globe to give my complete run down of the Magnums and the substitutes available across Asia (well the bits I've been to anyway) and where to find them.
So in reverse order here are the top 20 choices:
20 - The Bomb (Tajikistan)
Aptly named as discovered on the Afghan border this huge lolly and very welcome when we found it but covering was quite plan.
19 - White Almond Magnum (Thailand)
Nice but no need for that with the milk chocolate version available and was only a Christmas special purchase.
18 - KYK Classic (Myanmar)
A good effort in strawberry and made it on the list when the banana option didn't.
17 - Magnat Classic (Azerbaijan)
Makes it onto this list by virtue of the name alone but was actually quite enjoyable.
16 - Royal Deluxe (Myanmar)
The addition of oats made this one a great hot weather porridge alternative for breakfast!
15 - Pilot (Cambodia)
A jumbo of a lollie but what it gained in weight it unfortunately lost in flavour.
14 - Oreo Mint (Thailand)
Oh all too much going on for me there.
13 - Peanut Surprise (Myanmar)
A good result for what was a mystery prize dip in the freezer counter!
12 - Mr Triple (Cambodia)
The addition of a strawberry gel centre sent this offering shooting up the chart but sadly missed out on a top ten place.
11 - La Cremeria (Malaysia)
A bold attempt at the milk chocolate almond Magnum but fell down on size and ice cream quality so failed to steal it's crown.
10 - Bahrona Hazelnut (Kyrgyzstan)
A real quality alternative offering in The Stans but as you can see was let down by the lack of structural integrity which cost it marks.
9 - Haagen Dazs Vanilla (Thailand)
A special treat when I got to the Cambodian border not knowing what was lurking beyond. However, the increase in price and decrease in size made this a one off and affected it's overall ratings.
8 - Magnum Classic (Turkey)
The genesis, the one that started it all off when the temperature started to rise and the freezer counter beckoned.
7 - Oreo (Thailand)
Lacking in size but as it was on special offer in all the 7-Elevens across the country so the fuel of choice on a few stops.
6 - Magnum Almond (Thailand)
Out of the standard four flavours available in Thailand this would be my most chosen variety and so deserves its place. Hence the lowly placing of the white variety.
5 (& a half) - Magnum Double Chocolate Exclusive Import (Thailand)
Shows how difficult this list is and chocolate on chocolate would not usually be a winning combination. However this alternative towards the end of my Thailand adventure was a welcome find which I had to make space for!
5 - Magnum Irish Cream (Kazakhstan)
Only ever seen once in the whole trip which was in Almaty. This brings back mix feeling as I found it on the way to the Irish bar to watch Ireland v Japan in the rugby world cup only to be disappointed when they couldn't find any TV coverage. So I guess on reflection that this find was actually the highlight of the day!
4 - Extreme Nama Salted Caramel (Thailand)
Not a Magnum and are there more surprises to come in the top five? This was an excellent alternative offering which my hand reached towards on many occasions as the lower price point made it less of a special treat.
3 Magnum Cherry Blossom (Thailand)
Another one off in Thailand, the Magnum land of plenty, which was strikingly unique and delicious so deserves it place in the top three.
2 - Extreme Nama Orange (Thailand)
No attempt at plagiarism here which dogged some of the other Nestle offering on the chart but a wonderful and refreshing twist on the theme which was the first choice for many of my breaks.
The Numero Uno,
The King of the Crop,
The Grand Fromage,
The Undisputed Champion of the Tour,
is......
1 - Magnum Macadamia Salted Caramel (Thailand)
First discovered after I left the Magnum wasteland of Myanmar this was my first choice Magnum and remained my favorite throughout my tour. It was however more expensive than the Classic or Almond so was therefore classified as a special treat.
That was the good now for the bad and the ugly
In no particular order here are some of the lollies I encountered along the way.
Crunchy Dip Coffee (Cambodia)
Like the unwanted Revel in the box especially if you have unknowingly picked up some coffee coke to wash it down with!
Triix (Uzbekistan)
No sign of any biscuit or caramel this was just a plain Jane vanilla and chocolate I was robbed!
Millennium Gold (Uzbekistan)
Chocolate on chocolate is not a winning combination but in the dust bowl heat of the Uzbek desert needs must.
The Bantepek (Kazakhstan)
A large and impressive Soviet Bloc of ice cream which was let down by a lack of chocolate coating.
Top Ten (Thailand)
Didn't even make it into the top top 20 the non-dairy creamer for the centre lost it a lot of marks. Good for Buddhist but not for this review.
Kik Kit Mini (Uzbekistan)
Classic case of selling the sizzle not the sausage at least the fake Snickers had peanuts.
Bapoot (Uzbekistan)
The see through chocolate gave it an interesting look but detracted from the overall experience I think they spend the chocolate budget on paying for the Chevrolet prize.
Snigger (Tadjikistan)
No a peanut in sight, this imposter promised a lot but delivered little.
मैग्नम (India)
Avoid this man at all cost he sells the smallest Magnum in Asia both the chocolate and a the stick were transparent on this one!
Looks at him mistakenly trying to upscale me to a Cornetto! He even followed me down the road in the hope of getting some repeat business.
Brilliant Magnum review! I wonder how many you ate all together!