Banana Split

Banana Split is definitely a novelty flavor and is one of the more low brow Haagen Dazs selections. It has a banana ice cream base with fudge, strawberry, and cherry swirls. While banana splits are fantastic ice cream treats, to try and capture the parlor specialty using artificial means is quite the challenge. It is a very heavy ice cream that is much stronger on the split than the banana.
Name
Simply based on the flavor combination that is in this ice cream, Banana Split is an appropriate title. But then again the term "Banana Split" implies a promise of old fashioned ice cream goodness and integrity, a promise that Haagen Dazs breaks.
Availability
Banana Split isn't the most widely distributed flavor but it is far from uncommon. I got mine in the take-home variety and I believe it is seasonal in scoop shops. This ice cream doesn't keep too well in the freezer and gets icy fairly easily.
Flavor
High Notes
It is difficult to decipher what the high notes in Banana Split are because everything is so artificial and sugary. The strongest of these flavors is the fudge swirl. Although fudge is typically a deeper taste, the sweetness of it in this mix is just way too strong. Right underneath the fudge is the cherry and strawberry paste, some of the most artificial flavors I have ever tasted in a super-premium ice cream. While these are the same toppings one would expect on a traditional banana split, there is just way too much of them and not in proportion with the banana base underneath it all. In fact, the banana ice cream can hardly be tasted in this flavor. Banana Split is one of the most disgustingly top heavy flavors I have ever tried. Too much sugar!
Low Notes
If I had to pick out a low tone in this ice cream, I guess it would be the fudge. While it is mostly a sugary taste, it is still rich and thick. The key with fudge is moderation and Haagen Dazs surprisingly forgets this kernel of wisdom.
Texture
The banana ice cream would be perfectly fine on its own: light, smooth, and subtle. But the fudge, strawberry, and cherry swirls were sticky, thick, and chunky. When frozen, the swirls became icy and hard while the fudge quickly melted when taken out of the freezer. As indicated above, the proportions of ice cream to other flavors is incredibly unbalanced with the flavor swirls completely dominating the ice cream with sugar and artificiality.
Concluding Comments
It's like eating a banana split without the ice cream. Or the banana for that matter. All this ice cream has is a lot of sugar. I am honestly disapointed in Haagen Dazs after eating this ice cream based on their lack of balance and natural flavors in making Banana Split.