Highland Sugarworks Jug 100% Maple Syrup Pure Very Dark Color Strong Taste, 32 oz (Packing May Vary)

After reading rave reviews of this product and grade B syrup in general, we tried Whole Foods 365 brand grade B syrup because I happened to be shopping there and saw it. It's slightly cheaper than the Highland Sugarworks, even with subscribe and save prices. We loved it! Thick and rich with more intense maple flavor, Yum! Because there's not a Whole Foods close to us but we use Amazon all the time we set up a subscription for this brand. Surprisingly it was runnier than the 365 brand. Same rich flavor, but we were looking for something thick to replace fake pancake syrup and though Highland Sugarworks maple is delicious, I prefer the 365 brand. In case I don't have time to make the trip to Whole foods though I have a subscription to this.I just ordered a jug of another brand besides the Highland here on Amazon and will update review once we've tried that to compare. I really ordered it to meet the cost requirement to ship an "add on" item with my Prime account....I feel that strongly that we not run out of grade B maple!If you've never tasted grade B maple or *gasp* are still eating the "fake" stuff, give this a try! It made a believer out of my husband who not only switched from the fake breakfast syrup but puts this on his ice cream, in coffee, and he even let me get rid of the Hershey's corn syrup.... er, I mean "chocolate " syrup, after I mixed up a batch of maple syrup mixed with cocoa powder. Mmm! Makes the best chocolate syrup and there's no fake sugar and no fattening oil in it. Yum. I'm finding new excuses to make pancakes, waffles, French toast, etc.

This is our very favorite maple syrup. We have tried all of the premium brands sold on Amazon and in local stores, including TJ's, Whole Foods, and others. We keep coming back to Highland Sugarworks. We prefer the stronger maple flavor of what used to be known generally as Grade B. I say "used to," because many maple-producing states, including Vermont, have adopted new rules regarding how maple syrup is categorized and labeled. All maple syrups are now categorized as Grade A, and differences are based on color and taste. If you're looking for the equivalent of Grade B, new labeling states that the maple syrup is "Grade A, Dark with Robust Taste." Grade A Medium Amber is "Grade A , Amber Color with Rich Taste." And Grade A Dark Amber falls between syrups with "Rich Taste" and "Robust Taste" -- that is, somewhere between what used to be Grade A Dark Amber and Grade B. According to information from the Vermont Maple Syrup Makers Association, Grade C/Commercial, which is supposedly not available for retail sale, is called "Grade A, Very Dark with Strong Flavor." Feeling Confused? Well, join the club -- because the Highland Sugarworks label shown here indicates that the maple syrup is Grade C, not Grade B. I assume that we'll all get used to the new labeling -- eventually. In the meantime, if you prefer strong-tasting maple syrup, just look for the darkest color with a robust or strong taste. Also, if you want to try a variant flavor on your morning waffles or pancakes, do this: fill a small glass jar with your preferred maple syrup and place a vanilla bean or two in the jar; allow the vanilla bean to flavor the syrup over time. Or just enjoy Highland Sugarworks as it is. It's hard to improve on perfection.

This is really outstanding, and far better than I expected it to be. I had read a comment in Cooks Illustrated that Grade B maple syrup has a much stronger, more pronounced flavor. I can remember as a child that my parents always bought maple syrup (rather than the imitation stuff now made from corn syrup), so I grew up with it. And I have occasionally splurged at the grocery and bought a small bottle, just as a reminder of how things used to be. However, my kids grew up with Log Cabin, Aunt Jemima, Mrs. Butterworth's, etc., which are products that have never been close to a maple tree or anything else remotely organic. However, when my kids have tried the "real stuff" they were unimpressed. But as the Cooks Illustrated article points out, most grocery store maple syrup is Grade A. So I wanted to see just how different Grade B syrup is from its better-selling sibling. Wow! I was stunned by how good that Highland Sugarworks syrup tastes - it is intense and complex, and I think far better than any syrup I have ever used. Both of my kids agree, and now refuse to touch the stuff based on corn syrup. Of course, now I have two big bottles of corn syrup-based pancake topping I bought at Costco that are not going to be consumed. Maybe I can donate them to the next Pancake Breakfast fund-raiser held at my church? But it is clear neither of my kids will be touching it, now that they have tried honest-to-God maple syrup, made the way it is supposed to be, from trees! Hats off to Highland Sugarworks - they have a real winner here, and Amazon sells it at a great price (and it is even cheaper if I sign up for periodic shipments). I am definitely a new fan!