The golden rule with all mince pies is that they are nicer warm, preferably with a dollop of brandy butter. Mince pies dipped in chocolate or covered in sweet white gloopy icing are therefore immediately out!

Mini mince pies from Waitrose with different toppings for all tastes got top marks. £9.50 for 24. However the ones that Heston makes, avoid, they look like mini sausage rolls and are disgusting.

M&S minis got the vote from alot of the a&u team, although I think the pastry was too like shortbread.£2.99 for 9.

Fortnums, are delicious. Quite alcoholic and crumbly pastry, yum. £9.95 for 12.

Harvey Nichols were tiny but utterly perfectly formed. £5.95 for 8. (they sell delicious brandy butter too)

I had never heard of Betty's Bakery - in North Yorkshire, but I now feel the world should know. Perhaps you all do, but try out their website and order some bits and bobs. She knows how to make a mince pie for sure. (last orders 20th Dec) -  £12 for 9.

Baker & Spice - delicious. small £1.40, large £1.75. They pop them in a lovely box for you and they look great.

Daylesford - £6.49 for 6, not so good - just too cakey and too big.

Villandry - very good mini ones £4.40 for 8.

Sally Clarks look nice and homemade but have a little too much peel in them. £7.50 for 6.

and finally, the overall winner is and will probably always remain:

Mr Christians in Notting Hill have the best mini mince pies on offer anywhere in the world I think. At 90p each it is quite an expensive mouthful, but they are simply perfect.