Weinrichs - Rum Milk Chocolate with Rum Truffle Filling (bar) - Aug. 14, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Weinrichs 
Rum Milk Chocolate with Rum Truffle Filling (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.16 oz. (33.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 170 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $1.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Rum Milk Chocolate with Rum Truffle Filling (bar) was from Ludwig Weinrich GmbH & Co. KG (Herford, Germany). The company has been involved in making chocolate since 1895, an impressive feat.

Aroma and flavor notes for this, substantial, filled bar included: milk chocolate (chocolate-y with subtle rum and vanilla). This chocolate was fairly sweet, rich, creamy/buttery, and not too boozy.

I liked the relatively smooth/subtle texture, rich melt and mouthfeel, and the blend of warm flavors. The chocolate itself was fairly mild. It tasted like a rich milk chocolate, but lacked the typical cocoa aroma, acidity or balanced bitterness that most darker milk chocolate bars have--due to the lower cocoa content (30%).

Ingredients: sugar, cocoa butter(1), skim milk powder, cocoa liquor(1), butter fat (milk), rum, Cocoa powder (1), glucose syrup, invert sugar, hazelnut paste, lecithins, natural flavour, invertase, vanilla extract. Cocoa solids: 30% minimum in chocolate content. Milk solids: 15% in product.

"Alcohol content 2.5% alc. vol. Not to be sold to anyone under 21 years of age."

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk and hazelnut. May contain wheat, egg and other tree nuts (almond, pistachio, pecans).

Zotter - Cognac + Coffee - Coffee Couverture filled with cognac cream (bar) - Aug. 13, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Zotter
Cognac + Coffee - Coffee Couverture filled with cognac cream (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.89 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Apricot Waltz - Milk Chocolate 40% filled with apricot ganache and marzipan (bar) was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate, coffee and Cognac with faint vanilla and caramel.

Texture: creamy, layered textures chocolate with a velvety couverture and ("hand-scooped") creamy cognac-infused center.

This was a relatively sweet, filled bar, but (happily) the coffee, cognac and chocolate helped balance the sweetness and the sugars were not overwhelming. Dark brown sugar and a bit of butter added pleasing caramel taste and added flavor depth.

The cognac was subtle, well-balanced and not too boozy.

I enjoyed this sophisticated bean-to-bar chocolate bar; and I appreciated the use of organic and fair trade ingredients.

Ingredients: Cane Sugar*+, Cocoa Mass*+, Cocoa Butter,*+, Cognac (10%), Dry Whole Milk, Invert Sugar Syrup*, Butter (Cream), Glucose Syrup*, Ground Coffee Beans*+ (1%), Dry Skim Milk, Dry Sweet Whey, Dark Brown Cane Sugar*+, Lecithin (Soy)*, Coffee Powder*+ (0.1%), Salt, Vanilla Bean Powder*+, Cardamom*.

*=Organic [87% Organic Ingredients]; +=Fair Traded, Fair Trade Content in Total: 72%

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk, Soy. - Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Eggs, Gluten and Sesame." 

Zotter - Apricot Waltz - Milk Chocolate 40% filled w/ apricot ganache, marzipan (bar) - Aug. 12, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Zotter
Apricot Waltz - Milk Chocolate 40% filled with apricot ganache and marzipan (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.89 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Apricot Waltz - Milk Chocolate 40% filled with apricot ganache and marzipan (bar) was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter Chocolates US LLC (Fort Myers, FL).

Aroma and flavor notes included: chocolate, almond marzipan infused with rich, tart sweet fruit (lemon, apricot), vanilla and faint brown sugar, very slight alcohol (apricot brandy) and floral. 

Texture: creamy milk chocolate with a soft ("hand-scooped"), creamy marzipan center

This was a sweet chocolate, filled confection of a bar, but (happily) the sugars did not overwhelm the flavors. I enjoyed being able to taste the chocolate, fruit and nut ingredients in this bar. 

The apricot brandy was also relatively restrained so it added a subtle and authentic apricot-laced boozy boost, but it wasn't too strong.

This bean-to-bar chocolate version of a typical marzipan bar included some interesting and authentically fruity flavors that enriched the tasting experience. I also appreciated the use of organic and fair trade ingredients.

Ingredients: Cane Sugar*+, Marzipan* (Almonds*, Sugar*, Invert Sugar Syrup*), Cocoa Butter,*+, Dry Whole Milk, Cocoa Mass*+,  Apricot Concentrate*, Apricot Brandy*, Glucose Syrup*, Apricot Puree*, Dried Apricots*, Dry Skim Milk, Almonds*, Lecithin (Soy)*, Dry Sweet Whey, Salt, Dark Brown Cane Sugar*+, Vanilla Bean Powder*+, Rose Petals*, Lemon Powder* (Lemon Juice Concentrate*, Corn Starch*, Sugar*. 

*=Organic (92% Organic Ingredients); +=Fair Traded, Fair Trade 

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk, Almonds, Soy. - Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Other Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Eggs and Sesame." 

Lucid Chocolatier Port 68% Dark Chocolate with Tawny Port (bar) - Aug. 11, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Lucid Chocolatier
Port 68% Dark Chocolate with Tawny Port (bar)
Good +++ - Very Good
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 273 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $29.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week.

Today's "Port 68% Dark Chocolate infused with 10 year Tawny Port" (bar) was from Lucid Chocolatier (Aotearoa, New Zealand), and was part of the company's "infusion collection."

Aroma and flavor notes included: very smooth-tasting and satisfying dark chocolate (with hints of chocolate-y dark ganache); rich, mellow red and purple fruits (plump, well-rounded and ripe sweet plums and red grapes) soaked in port wine; and a slight very light but attractive and balanced bitterness--enough to give it some lovely personality and keep it from being too sweet and shallow.

What a tasty bar. It's been my experience that you only arrive at lovely flavors like this via thoughtful sourcing of a short list of single origin ingredients. Three ingredients in this case. Cacao origin: Maranon, Cajamarca, Peru.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Plum, Nuts, Sultana" 

Ingredients: Cacao Mass*, Cane Sugar*, Port. (* = Organic)

Allergen-related information: "Contains Sulfites. May Contain: Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Tree Nuts (Almonds, Hazelnuts, Pecan, Macadamia, Pistachio)" 

Qantu - 75% Quebecois Single Malt Whisky Infused Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 10, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Qantu
75% Quebecois Single Malt Whisky Infused Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $25.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar & Cocoa, online order 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week.

Today's 75% Quebecois Single Malt Whisky Infused Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Qantu Cacao et Chocolat Inc. (Montreal, QC, Canada).

Aroma and flavor notes included: balanced and flavorful dark chocolate with caramel and butterscotch, very light wood (oak), and warm (Scotch) whisky that lingered into a long, pleasing finish.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate

I loved the maker's choices of single origin (La Mar, Ayacucho, Peru) cacao, local Mirabel single malt whisky (from Cote Des Saints Distillerie in Quebec). The finished bar with such wonderful flavor depth was made with only four, high-quality ingredients. 

This chocolate bar would be a great gift for a craft chocolate and whisky/whiskey fan. 

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Spice, oak, and peach"

Ingredients: "Cacao beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, whisky"

Allergen-related information: May contain milk, nuts 

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade - Chocolate with Candied Cocoa Nibs Soaked in Palinka with Fennel (bar) - Aug. 9, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Rozsavolgyi Csokolade
Chocolate with Candied Cocoa Nibs Soaked in Palinka with Fennel (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 171.85 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $22.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order, 

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate with Candied Cocoa Nibs Soaked in Palinka* and with Fennel (bar) was from Rozsavolgyi Csokolade (Budapest, Hungary). 

The company's name when translated into English ("Rosevalley Chocolate") is also tied to their location. "Rosevalley is a suburban part of Budapest in Hungary."

Aroma and flavor notes for today's flavorful bar included: smooth, naturally sweet and slightly fruity dark chocolate joined by fennel--that contributed light green, sweet licorice notes.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with little crunchy bits (lightly candied cacao nibs, perhaps some fennel).

I enjoyed the balanced, complementary flavors: dark 73% cacao chocolate, subtle, warm fruit (sweet stone fruit (peach, apricot); and authentic fennel in this bean-to-bar chocolate. 

The illustrations on the packaging of a cartoon cocoa pod named Erik, a cartoon cocoa pod wearing a palinka barrel, and a cartoon apricot character (complete with a hat and a moustache) carrying a flask, etc. were whimsical and fun.

I also appreciated the maker's choice of a short list of quality ingredients in this well-executed bar.

Ingredients: dark chocolate with 73% min. cocoa content (cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), candied cocoa nibs soaked in palinka, organic cane sugar, fennel.

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a factory that also handles milkpowder, nuts and sesame seed."

*Palinka is a fruit brandy--a distilled spirit, from Hungary that is made with fermented fruits (plums, apricots, cherries and pears, grown in Hungary) without added sugar or other additives.

River-Sea Chocolates - Rum Caramel dark chocolate 60% (bar) - Aug. 8, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

River-Sea Chocolates
Rum Caramel dark chocolate 60% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.1 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Rum Caramel dark chocolate 60% (bar) was from River-Sea Chocolate Factory (Chantilly, VA). The company's name was inspired by where the Amazon River meets the Sea.

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark milk chocolate, caramel, butterscotch, brown sugar and aromatic rum. 

Texture: This well-tempered bar broke with a snap and had a smooth-texture with a satisfying melt.

I enjoyed the heady (wheee!) blend of aroma and flavors in this bar. It reminded me of butterscotch and chocolate brownies--made with single origin cacao, and spiked with smooth dark rum.

And I appreciated the maker's use of a relatively short list of ingredients, the fact that this bar was "direct trade" (Haiti cacao) and "wind powered"--and that the chocolate was gluten and soy free.

Warning: potentially addictive

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Fragrant Cacao Butter, Organic Whole Cow Milk, Pure Caramel Extract, Rum Flavor (Rum, Grain Alcohol)

Allergen-related information: "Produced in a facility that uses nuts, cow milk, and coconut"