Goldkenn - The Botanist, Islay Dry Gin (filled bar) - May 13, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Goldkenn

The Botanist - Islay Dry Gin 37% Cacao
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total box

Calories: 245 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Crossroads Specialty Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Gin Theme Week. 

Today's The Botanist - Islay Dry Gin (filled bar) was from Goldkenn (Bordeaux, France) and made in Switzerland.

Aroma notes included: sweet fruit (cherry jello with apple and lemon) and faint chocolate (sweet milk chocolate, along with faint baked vanilla cookie).

 

Sweet, smooth, relatively creamy milk chocolate cavities were lined with sugar crystals and contained a gin syrup center. 

The gin syrup filling was boozy and almost smokey (dry with very faint juniper and citrus) compared to the very sweet (37%) milk chocolate. The high sugar content of the chocolate and the syrup will appeal to those with a sweet tooth, but may be a bit overwhelming for dark chocolate fans--or those interested in tasting more flavor nuances in the cacao/chocolate and The Botanist Islay Dry Gin.

Yesterday's dark chocolates filled with gin syrup (from Germany) had great flavor complexity; there was no milk to mute flavors, and the sugar levels were lower. My bias: I enjoy darker milk chocolates, and tasting more aspects of the cacao and flavor inclusions (in this case gin).

This bar contains alcohol, and is not considered suitable for children.

Ingredients: Sugar*, cocoa butter**, cocoa mass**, The Botanist Gin (7%), whole milk powder*, skimmed milk* powder, butterfat* (milk), whey* powder (milk), emsulsifier: rapeseed lecithin, flavour, natural vanilla extract. (Made in Switzerland.) "A single asterix  denotes "Ingredients from Switzerland.")...A double asterix indicates Rainforest Alliance Certified.

Allergen-related information: "May contain hazelnut, almonds, walnuts, pecan nuts, cashew nuts, pistachio nuts, egg, soya, wheat and barley. Cocoa minimum 37% in chocolate."