Phillip Ashley Chocolates

Wanting to treat my charming companion with a sweet last Saturday we walked over to Philip Ashley.
I enjoyed scanning the interesting flavor combinations and marveling over the aesthetic appeal of these treats while my extra-​special decided which ones he would get to take home.
Having enjoyed similar special treats in Berkeley, Ca at Blue on 4^th Street I was curious which I would like better.
I will need to make a couple of trips to both for more comparison but at $ 0.52 an ounce I should probably make a decision soon because I have a mortgage. Shoo!

Upon walking in it is more like an art gallery than chocolate store. Interesting.
Anyways, the selection of chocolates wasn’t expansive, but there was a good amount and all decorated uniquely and quite impressively. Interesting flavor combinations I was excited to try. Ended up purchasing two, the white chocolate Blue Cheese, and lavender and gray sea salt dark chocolate covered caramel. I’m not typically a fan of white chocolate, but the blue cheese was nice. You more just get the creamy consistency of the cheese (not the strong flavor… which I almost wish you could taste it more but I just love blue cheese). i was NOT a big fan of the lavender… the caramel was a bit much/​runny, tasted like over steeped tea… but I think it may be an acquired taste, my third and final bite was a little better, though I wouldn’t get it again. However, it’s dark chocolate and gray sea salt part was delightful.
The lady working the front was wonderful, very friendly and helpful! Apparently lavender is one of the most popular, but if you buy it make sure you really love lavender. Otherwise, I would stay away… but I’m sure some of the other combos are pretty good. Kuddos on having a BBQ flavor and sweet potato, this is memphis and the south afterall. Beware: my one lavendar&seasalt piece cost over $ 3!

More like an art gallery than a candy store, Phillip Ashley Chocolates is a true special occasion, even if you’re just buying a piece or two for yourself. A feast for the senses, the chocolates make use of savory and sweet flavors mixed with stunning shimmering color on top of a thinly-​shelled dark chocolate. Chocolate covered bacon «candy bars» are a must-​try, and a wonderful hostess gift.
Pre-​order large gifts, as these chocolates are handmade daily, and they’ll need some notice to put your special order together.
I purchased around twenty 2-​piece boxes as party favors for my own birthday dinner, and we passed around one sheet with descriptions and photos of the chocolates.
If I have one note, it is that they do not ever have enough «maps» of the chocolates to go with the chocolates themselves. I think that the description of the chocolate is half of the experience of eating it!
The store is quiet, the staff is friendly and calm, and if you catch him at the right moment, you may get to taste test for Phillip Ashley Rix himself, and enjoy a flute of champagne. Dreamy!

Unique flavor combinations + art = chocolate heaven.
Ever since I saw Philip Ashley Chocolates in Memphis Magazine, I had this place bookmarked on Unilocal.I’m a huge chocolate fan, and the pictures just looked so incredible. First off, this is NOT a huge place. They have a simple, glass-​enclosed counter to display the chocolates. That’s it. So don’t expect to come in here like it’s a fudge factory where you can order pounds of sweets. They seem do to a lot of gift boxes, which look really nice. Perfect if you’re looking for an alternative business gift to give to a co-​worker or client.
I was looking to give the gift of chocolate to myself, so I didn’t get a fancy box. I bought about six chocolates and a truffle, which came to a few dollars a chocolate. Pricy, but these were high-​end chocolates that looked so artistic that I almost didn’t want to eat them. I tried a truffle that tasted like it had cayenne pepper and pop rocks inside. I know that sounds incredibly weird, but it was an unexpected explosion of spice (literally) that I’ve never experienced before. The Memphis chocolate was awesome (who would have thought to make a chocolate taste like BBQ, um Phillip Ashley did!) and I had my first Strawberry and Brie chocolate (thank you for putting cheese and chocolate together).
These chocolates are sure to impress. Memphis Foodies, this is the place for you!

How chocolate defines intrigue! The flavor combinations are indeed the best I’ve ever experienced in a few lifetimes. I was blown away upon first encounter and have been blown ever since. Simply, the most creative culinary art imagined. You will not be disappointed.
Chocolate Crush: StrawBaBy!!!

I want to give this place 5 stars just because there’s nothing like it in Memphis… but I just can’t. The chocolates look beautiful — there is certainly artistry involved in the making of these little morsels. There are definitely some innovative flavor combinations here, and it looks like even more are available on the website. I brought home 6 chocolates for around $ 25.
Of all the ones I bought, only a couple really stood up to the test of flavor intensity that I wanted when I ordered them. The mango-​habanero was ok, but neither terribly spicy nor terribly mango-​ey. Ditto for the chipotle raspberry — I found it hard to detect the chipotle. The Chinese five-​spice was interesting (and one of the most visually attractive). I liked how present the spice was with the chocolate. The bourbon was the clear winner of the bunch — I’ve had this flavor combo from other chocolatiers before, and I know I like it – this one is especially nice because of how smooth the bourbon is.
While the prices are comparable with other fine chocolatiers across the country, I’m a little worried that Memphis won’t support the price-​point of $ 3 — $ 4 per chocolate. This seems pretty high-​end in a city where people line up for snow cones and cupcakes that positively dwarf these dainty treats for about the same price. Online shipping charges also seem high — $ 9 for local delivery, $ 20 for FedEx to non-​local destinations. The owner contacted me to explain that this is to ensure fast delivery because it is a perishable product, but it is higher than the rates from my favorite bakery in Oakland, CA and another small Memphis-​based candy company.
I would go back, but I haven’t stopped since my first visit, and I pass this place all the time.

What can be said about Phillip’s chocolates? First of all the ingreadents strike you as currious at first glance. Then you get a chance to taste something like wasabi ginger and you realise all others you have eaten before were just imitations of what you really wanted. If you want the best chocolate you will ever find you have to stop by and get a box. Very beautiful little tastes you will remember and look forward to your next one.

This is every chocolate-​lovers’ dream come true! From dark chocolate covered bacon and strawberries to creative Memphis BBQ-​themed designer boxes, Phillip Ashley has it all! Each chocolate is better than the next and they are BEAUTIFUL! I love the jewel shaped chocolates and all the creative tasty treats Phillip Ashley has in store!

To call these chocolates gourmet is an understatement. Decadence at its best. You’ll be back again and again.