The makers of Toblerone, Mondelez International, faced harsh criticism last year when they reduced the weight of the much-loved bar without reducing the price.
It was thought they did so after the Brexit announcement – a claim the company strongly denied.
But fans were left disappointed by the shrinking chocolate, and now Poundland have stepped in with their own weighty offering, named Twin Peaks.
The bar does have a different taste to its competitor, and Poundland explained: “The double mountain bar, created in the home of British chocolate by specialist Walkers Chocolates, has a distinctive British flavour compared to more traditional milk nougat bars from Switzerland.”
But blind tests have found the chocolate rated favourably, and Poundland revealed: “Twin Peaks has already received rave reviews in secret blind taste tests where two in three customers preferred it to the branded alternative.”
Explaining why they had decided to create Twin Peaks, Poundland said: “Development on Twin Peaks began earlier this year after the makers of Toblerone – Poundland’s top-selling item – created uproar by reducing the weight of the bar by 20g and changing the shape of its iconic brand.
“Twin Peaks – at 180g – is 20 per cent heavier than its branded equivalent, and offers a double mountain in every packet.”
Fans may also be pleased to hear Twin Peaks is created and manufactured in the UK, in a factory in the West Midlands.
Speaking about the launch, Poundland trading director Barry Williams said: “Poundland shoppers are savvy and the change in their favourite chocolate bar last Christmas didn’t go unnoticed.
“That’s why we’ve created a new £1 alternative for them – the size they wanted, with a British taste, and with all the spaces in the right places.”
Toblerone, meanwhile, shrunk their 400g bars to 360g while the 170g bars are now just 150g.
Sharing the new-look chocolate on its Facebook page last year, Toblerone wrote: “We chose to change the shape to keep the product affordable for our customers, and it enables us to keep offering a great value product.
“It had to make a decision between changing the look of the bars or raising their price.”
But Mondelez International suffered heavy criticism on social media
Toblerone lover Dan Rickwood wrote: “Hi Toblerone, I am one of your biggest fans and love your chocolate, but I bought a 150g Toblerone earlier only to be left upset disappointed and a little distressed!
“In fact I felt cheated on a tad in the way that they are now spaced out so much loosing out on Toblerone goodness, I’m upset Toblerone I’m sorry but I really am.”