Chocolate of the Day
NearyNogs Chocolate Makers
Old Fashioned (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .706 oz. (20 g.) / 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 109 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA
Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Spirits and Savory Snacks Theme Week.
Today's Old Fashioned 70% Dominican Republic (Zorzal) bar was crafted by NearyNogs Chocolate Makers* (Mourne Coast, Ireland), and was part of the company's Irish Collection--itself a nod to traditional Irish "songs and stories, on walks, in homes, pubs and now in a chocolate factory."
Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, faint orange and even fainter sweet whiskey.
This bar had a smooth and satisfying texture and melt. The tiny crystals of burnt sugar embedded in the 70% dark chocolate were a fun and tasty touch.**
The flavors were thoughtfully balanced. The orange bitters (dried orange, bitters) and Irish Whiskey flavors were quite subtle, and seamlessly integrated with a smooth, but flavorful, (70%) dark chocolate base (that had true chocolate notes: dark fudge brownie with ground, roasted nibs).
I suggest savoring this bar first, by itself, to appreciate the more subtle flavor nuances. Savory snacks (Irish cheddar, blue cheese, chips and savory nuts) followed today's chocolate.
Ingredients: "70% Organic Dominican Republic Chocolate (70% Organic Dominican Republic Chocolate (70% cacao beans and sugar), burnt sugar, dried orange, bitters, irish whiskey, cacao nibs"
Allergen-related information: None listed on packaging. (No common allergens listed in ingredients list.)
*"Neary" comes from a family name and "Nogs" is from Gaelic roots; and roughly translates into English as "the land of the youth, or the eternal land."
**"The old fashioned is a cocktail made by muddling sugar with bitters, adding whiskey and garnishing with a twist of orange rind. It is traditionally served in an old fashioned glass, which predated the cocktail."
