We’ll be looking to enhance the company’s presence in this sector, building on what is undoubtedly a leading capability in this market.”​

This taste test brought up a lot of surprises for me. I didn't think that original Scottish shortbread could be beaten on taste but expected it to be more expensive than in-house brands. Neither of those ended up being true. Creating shortbread is something that Scottish baker Paterson's has been doing for a long time - since 1895. As it promotes itself as "Britain's number one shortbread", I thought it would be a good marker to compare this grand dame of the shortbread fingers to own brands by Asda, Sainsbury's, Lidl, Marks & Spencer and more. Wheat Flour ( Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin), Rapeseed oil, Sugar, Butter ( Milk), Salt, Flavourings There's an art to these buttery, crumbly biscuits that are a favourite of Hollywood star Nicholas Cage. Even the Queen had her own Balmoral recipe of shortbread made to her royal tastes.The acquisition of Paterson Arran is the second major acquisition by Burton’s this year. In February, the company completed the acquisition of premium sweet and savoury biscuit manufacturer Thomas Fudge’s​​. There are also big name stores that I expected to fair better on flavour that were pushing out fairly bland, average produce. Sainsbury's was a particular disappointment along with Lidl, which was awful. Wheat Flour ( Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin), Sugar, Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Currants (8%), Raising Agents (Sodium Bicarbonate, Disodium Diphosphates), Salt, Flavourings, Colours (Annatto Bixin, Curcumin), Skimmed Milk Powder, Sunflower Oil Christmas wouldn't be complete without Scottish shortbread to nibble on over family visits or curling up to watch a festive film. Along with the famous historic brands from Scotland like Paterson's and Walkers, supermarkets are all doing their own versions.

Wheat Flour ( Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin), Dark Chocolate Chips (18%) (Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Emulsifier ( Soya Lecithin), Vanilla Flavouring), Sugar, Rolled Oats, Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Invert Sugar Syrup, Skimmed Milk Powder, Raising Agents (Potassium Carbonates, Sodium Bicarbonate), Salt, Flavourings, Colours (Annatto Bixin, Curcumin) Wheat Flour ( Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin), Sugar, Rolled Oats, Desiccated Coconut, Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Invert Sugar Syrup, Salt, Raising Agent (Sodium Bicarbonate), Skimmed Milk Powder, Colours (Annatto Bixin, Curcumin), Flavourings Read more: Aldi, Asda, M&S, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Tesco mince pies tested - and the runner-up is just 29p each

Retiring Paterson Arran chairman Alan Hardie added: “I am honoured to have been at the helm of this great company for the last 25 years and am equally as excited about what the future holds. Paterson Arran and Burton’s have shared values of a commitment to baking excellence and to producing top-quality, great-tasting products. Everyone associated with them can be extremely proud.”​

This latest acquisition highlights that our owners, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, are fully supportive of the journey we are on. They share our deep-rooted commitment to enhancing our baking credentials, to complementing our current portfolio with more top-quality products and to generating excitement in biscuits and the other categories in which Burton’s now has a presence,”​ said Field. Burton’s Biscuits have set out a clear purpose to bake great biscuits and with great brands such as Maryland, Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels, to name just a few, they are the perfect family for Paterson Arran brands to join. Together, we expect to bring you many new and exciting products while continuing with long established favouries."​ The acquisition introduces the Paterson’s shortbread brand into the Burton’s portfolio, along with leading foodservice biscuit and chutney brands Brontë, Café Brontë and Arran Fine Foods. Wheat Flour ( Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin), Sugar, Rolled Oats, Dark Chocolate Chips (13%) (Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter. Emulsifier ( Soya Lecithin), Vanilla Flavouring), Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder (2%), Skimmed Milk Powder, Salt, Raising Agents (Potassium Carbonates, Sodium Bicarbonate), Colours (Ammonia Caramel, Annatto Bixin, Curcumin), Flavourings