Wm. Chocolate - Classic Dark 70% Cacao Dominican Republic Single Origin Rum Barrel Aged - Dec. 30, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Wm. Chocolate
Classic Dark 70% Cacao Dominican Republic Single Origin Rum Barrel Aged (bar)
Good +++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 147 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Wm. Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Holiday Spirits Theme Week. 

Today's Classic Dark 70% Cacao Dominican Republic Single Origin Rum Barrel Aged (bar) was made by Wm. Chocolate (Madison, WI). 

William (Will) Marx, the force behind Wm. Chocolate is turning out great single origin chocolates. His bars I have sampled in the past few years have all offered masterfully subtle and complex bouquets of aroma (and flavor) notes. 

Great chocolate happens when a maker applies laser-like attention to and appreciation of the strengths of each batch of high-quality cacao beans from a given origin. Eat this chocolate slowly to fully appreciate the end results.

Aroma notes for this bar included a dark chocolate, faint maple, brown sugar, buttered rum, faint dried fruit (pear + date), faint green, faint graham cracker, and a very faint, fleeting clean mineral earth (clay) note.

Flavor notes were very similar to the aroma notes (above), but with more rich dark chocolate (smooth, ultra-dark brownie + very faint red berry) flavor, along with molasses and faint floral honey notes. This bar also had an alluring light, lingering finish.

The rum barrel aged cacao (Dominican Republic) was subtle and sophisticated with quiet layers of rich flavor. (I imagined a rack of wooden rum casks stowed in a cool stone cavern where time and flavor development was measured...slowly.) Well balanced, not too sweet, and with a generous helping of skillfully produced 3D aroma and flavor notes, this 70% cacao dark bar provided a pleasing sensory trip.

Note: While rum (barrels) added flavor, there was no detectable amount of alcohol that I could taste.

Maker's tasting notes: "Smooth dark chocolate sweetened with traditional whole cane sugar"

Ingredients: Certified organic cacao beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic cacao butter

Allergen-related information: "No soy, dairy, grain, nuts, refined sugar, or animal products."

Wm. Chocolate - Haiti KAFUPBO 80% Dark (bar) - Nov. 15, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Wm. Chocolate

Haiti KAFUPBO 80% Dark (bar)

Good +++

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar

Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 small bar

Cost: $3.75 (sale) for 1 small bar

Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order 

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks--featuring Dominican Republic cacao-based chocolates last week; and chocolates made from cacao grown in the Republic of Haiti this week.

Today's Haiti KAFUPBO 80% Dark (2019 Harvest) (bar) was made from bean to bar by William Marx at Wm. Chocolate LLC (Madison, WI).

KAFUPBO is "a farmer-owned co-op producing world-class organic cacao in northern Haiti." In 2019/2020, Haiti produced only about 5,000 metric tons of cocoa. (The Dominican Republic produced approximately 70,000 metric tons that year.) That's up from the 4,400 tons reported in 2016, but down from the over 20,000 tons from decades earlier--numbers that reflect challenges in this country.

Several organizations, including Produits des Iles S.A. (PISA) and Singing Rooster, have been working with farmers and helping to bring Haiti coffee and cacao to market. I felt grateful to find bars for a Haiti series this week.

Aroma and texture

Today's Wm. Chocolate 80% cacao chocolate had a subtle, complex aroma--a blend of chocolate cookie, with diffuse fruit (red berry, raspberry, very faint sweet lemon, and even fainter lemon herb (oxalis, sour grass, wood sorrel)) notes. The melt and texture were creamy and smooth.

Flavor and tasting ultra-dark bars

As is often the case with ultra-dark (80% and above) chocolates, the flavors are "darker" than the aroma.* Tasting this bar, the initial aroma evoked a sunlit summer tea party with cookies, raspberry jam and lemon slices. 

As I tasted the first piece, it felt like the imaginary tea party had suddenly decided to move into the shaded forest to pick and eat wild blackberries. And I was happy to follow, with an occasional imaginary glance over my shoulder for bears. (Thankfully, no bears or rough or off notes, or earthy spikes; just wonderful, perfectly ripe dark berries and one last cup of tea.)

This bar had a rich dark chocolate flavor that was smooth (well managed) yet complex (rich flavors were allowed to shine). Balanced occasional upticks of earthiness were effectively incorporated into authentic ripe, dark berries: soft undulations of blackberry tea, black currant/elderberry, and black raspberry ice cream notes.

Maker's tasting notes: "Rich and herbal with notes of raspberry, black tea, biscuit"

Ingredients: Certified Organic cacao beans, Certified Organic whole (unrefined) cane sugar, Certified Organic cacao butter

Allergen-related information: "No soy, dairy, grain, nuts, refined sugar, or animal products."

*This rather sudden shift to a darker, more unsweetened cacao taste (vs. a "sweeter" or fruitier initial aroma) found in bars with less than 20% sugar can be a shock--especially for those who are not used to pure cacao flavors or unsweetened chocolate. Our palettes and brains expect chocolates to taste sweet; that's what we're used to. 

However, the best chocolate makers work with farmers, post-harvest fermentation experts, and others to create ultra-dark chocolates with such care and skill that the unique and true flavors of great cacao sing without sugar sparkle; and occasionally (such as with today's maker), seem to add wings for an extra enjoyable ride, where it's possible to experience a form of imaginary culinary transportation.

Wm. Chocolate - Dark + Salt - 70% Cacao Dominican Republic (bar) - Nov. 10, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Wm. Chocolate LLC
Dark + Salt - 70% Cacao Dominican Republic (bar)
Good +++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 145 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Wm. Chocolate, online order 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks, focusing this week on the Dominican Republic side of the island.

Today's Dark + Salt - 70% Cacao Dominican Republic Single Origin (bar) was produced by Wm. Chocolate LLC (Madison, WI). 

Aroma and flavor notes for this nuanced and complex chocolate included: chocolate brownie, pleasing, sweet earth and shimmering faint fruit (raisin, red berry, sweet orange, fig), light savory (subtle buttered nuts), molasses, faint green tea syrup, and very faint, and a fleeting aromatic (sweet, faint floral fruit) tobacco and faint toffee. 

Tiny crystals of salt (harvested in the U.S.) added an occasional flavor sparkle and crunchy texture.

Summary: This chocolate was well balanced with subtle, layered aroma and flavor. The shifting array of subtle cacao flavors included a judicious overlay of savory with the naturally sweet.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic cacao butter, sea salt

Allergen-related information: "No soy, dairy, grain, nuts, refined sugar, or animal products."

Wm. Chocolate - Dark + Coffee 70% Cacao Dominican Republic (bar) - Nov. 10, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Wm. Chocolate LLC
Dark + Coffee - 70% Cacao Dominican Republic Single Origin (bar)
Good +++ - Very Good
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Wm. Chocolate, online order 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks, focusing this week on the Dominican Republic side of the island. Today's Dark + Coffee - 70% Cacao Dominican Republic Single Origin (bar) was produced by Wm. Chocolate LLC (Madison, WI). 

The maker (Will Marx) describes this bar as "smooth dark chocolate with crunchy coffee bean pieces." True statement; but it's a bit of an under-statement.

Aroma fest
When the sealed Dark + Coffee 70% Cacao bar pouch was opened, the air was filled with the scent of freshly ground coffee (with bright, almost fruity notes). After a few minutes, the underlying 70% dark chocolate surfaced with faint, sweet earth, nutty, brownie notes. And a few minutes after that, the coffee had receded to the level of a bold, smooth partner in this blend. An hour later, pleasing earthy, nutty, and graham cracker notes appeared.

The relatively thick bar had an enjoyable, substantial creamy and crunchy textural blend.

This rich and luxurious blend of flavors was a skillfully balanced marriage, that included dark chocolate, brownie, coffee, faint red berry, and fleeting gingerbread/molasses notes. Not too sweet or bitter, these bold flavors were crafted together to form a very satisfying match. (Note to self: great winter holiday gift for chocolate addict friends and relatives.)

This rich, special breakfast (or anytime) chocolate and coffee bar should be slowly savored over the course of an hour either with good company and conversation--or simply as a treat for oneself. The unfolding, complex and wonderful aromas--present with every Wm. Chocolate bar I've tasted--are well worth slowing down for.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic cacao butter, organic coffee beans

Allergen-related information: "No soy, dairy, grain, nuts, refined sugar, or animal products." 

Wm. Chocolate - Classic Dark 70% Dominican Republic Single Origin (bar) - Nov. 9, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Wm. Chocolate LLC
Classic Dark - 70% Cacao Dominican Republic Single Origin (bar)
Good +++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 144 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Wm. Chocolate, online order 

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks, focusing this week on the Dominican Republic side of the island.

Today's Classic Dark 70% Cacao Dominican Republic Single Origin (bar) was produced by Wm. Chocolate LLC (Madison, WI). 

Aroma notes included (in order of appearance) brown sugar; a subtle, shifting blend of dried fruit (plum/prune/date/fig/banana); dark chocolate; very faint and fleeting vegetable (cooked potato); a faint green floral fruit riff (custard apple); and clear fudge brownie.

After a soft-spoken, short flurry of faint brown sugar, very faint herb-spice and delicate fruit notes, the chocolate flavors resolved into high-end fudge brownie, followed by occasional pop-up appearances from invisible tropical fruit(s); and high-end chocolate torte with a whisper of sea salt. And after I thought the flavor show was over, there were a few more very faint notes of delicious earth* and fruit. 

This was a well-balanced, masterfully executed bar with plenty of layered aroma and flavor notes.

Maker's notes/description: "...smooth dark chocolate sweetened with traditional whole cane sugar."

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic cacao butter

Allergen-related information: "No soy, dairy, grain, nuts, refined sugar, or animal products."  

*The phrase "earth notes" covers a lot of territory and can refer to harsher dirt notes, something more balanced and loamy (light mushroom), savory clay, clean mineral (think sidewalks after a rain), or even chalky notes. 

Occasionally you'll hear makers mention "forest floor" notes that might evoke a walk through a rainforest. 

In today's case, this earth note was one of the most pleasing, balanced earth chocolate notes I remember tasting. It was a light two-note chord with a soft, chocolatey, almost nutty, earthiness and a lighter, tropical fruit (almost lychee but not quite)--both arriving on the palette at the same time. 

I'm always grateful for mysterious and beautiful notes like this.

Wm. Chocolate - Extra Dark 85% Cacao Dominican Republic (bar) - Nov. 8, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Wm. Chocolate LLC
Extra Dark 85% Cacao Dominican Republic (bar)
Good +++
Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Wm. Chocolate, online order 

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Hispaniola Theme Weeks, with a focus this week on the Dominican Republic.*

Today's Extra Dark 85% Dominican Republic (bar) was made from bean-to-bar by Wm. Chocolate LLC (Madison, WI). 

Aroma notes for this ultra-dark bar included: brown sugar/molasses, deep dark chocolate, green, faint dried fruit and Boston brown bread notes. (Later re-tasting: also nut butter - freshly ground peanut butter and dried banana.)

The well-tempered, well-executed and relatively thick chocolate had a thick and creamy melt and texture.

The flavors were intriguingly layered--at once uniformly dark and smooth but also with faint layers of dried fruit (plum, light raisin) in the background--and, about 3/4 way through, fudge brownie that lingered a bit in the finish. In re-tasting this bar, there was a (barely there) fleeting lighter, sweeter fruit notes -- faint flavors of freshly baked, buttered bread with a wisp of light lychee fruit.

William Marx, the talented chocolate maker behind Wm. Chocolate bars, is very skilled at managing and realizing flavor depth in each unique cacao origin/batch he works with--to the point where skill may be mistaken for subtle magic. Do take your time with this Wm. Chocolate bar (and others), or you'll miss a lot along the way. And do re-taste this over time. A well-crafted chocolate will be smooth on the surface, but will reveal hidden facets over the course of a few hours, or even minutes.

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic cacao butter

Allergen-related information: "No soy, dairy, grain, nuts, refined sugar, or animal products."

*Hispaniola refers to the Caribbean island that encompasses both Haiti (to the West) and the Dominican Republic (to the East). Island nation neighbors include Cuba to the northwest of Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico to the southeast.

The Dominican Republic (DR) is larger than the U.S. state of Maryland, but smaller than West Virginia, and is home to more than 10 million people. It has varied terrain, including rain forests and mountains and areas well-suited to growing cacao.

Almost all DR cacao is shade-grown (under the canopies/leaves) of other trees, such as citrus, banana and avocado; and much of the cacao is Trinitario (variety).

Wm. Chocolate - Belize Maya Mountain 68% Dark (bar) - Oct. 11, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Wm. Chocolate LLC
Belize Maya Mountain 68% Dark (bar)
Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 165 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $5.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week, featuring chocolates made with cacao from Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Today's Belize Maya Mountain 68% Dark (bar) was created by chocolate maker William Marx of Wm. Chocolate LLC (Madison, WI).

The (2017 Harvest) cacao used to craft this bar was grown on "rainforest farms in (southern) Belize's Maya Mountains, where...Maya Mountain Cacao...works with growers to sustainably produce bright, luscious cacao deserving of the high prices it fetches." 

Aroma notes for this dark chocolate included a diffuse sweetness (date); red fruit (cherry, goji berry, pomegranate); and faint brown sugar, molasses with an implied warm spice.

The texture of this well-tempered and executed chocolate was pleasing, smooth and creamy.

The chocolate tasted intriguing, smooth and sophisticated. A soft, layered undulation of high-quality flavors contributed to its overall deliciousness. Flavor notes included: fruit (soft "round" white grape/raisin and goji berry); faint fleeting aromatic, sweet tobacco; creamy vanilla and warm creamy, vanilla mocha; and a reoccurring (diffuse but) identifiable tart-sweet fruit through note (including red fruit and berries with brown sugar).

Maker's tasting notes: "candied pineapple, custard, raisin"

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic whole (unrefined) cane sugar, organic cocoa butter.

Allergen-related information: "Sourced for flavor and fairness. No soy, no dairy, no nuts, no grain, no refined sugar, and no animal products."

Wm. Chocolate - Ghana 75% Dark bar - Aug. 20, 2020

 Chocolate of the Day

Wm. Chocolate
Ghana 75% Chocolate bar 
Good ++ - +++
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) in total bar
Calories: 310 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $7.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Ghana and Ivory Coast Theme Week.

Today's Ghana 75% Dark bar was made by Will Marx, founder and chocolate maker at Wm. Chocolate (Madison, WI).

The cocoa beans used to craft this bar came from the ABOCFA cooperative in Ghana. 

The bar broke with a snap, and had an aroma of rich, dark chocolate sauce with a light dash of cinnamon spice. It had a thick, creamy (almost finely ground, smooth nut butter) texture. 

The flavor vibrated with true chocolate (fresh baked brownie) with a faint cereal/malt note; and it had seamless, balanced fruit acidity (light cherry and very light sweet citrus). The roast selected seemed optimal: not too green, not over-roasted. The finish was a lighter version of this true chocolate. The chocolate was sweet, but not overly so (thank you).|

Maker's tasting notes: "chocolate pudding, malt, peanut butter."

"Smooth, full-bodied dark chocolate with moderate sweetness and little bitterness. Heavy roast for extra intensity."

Ingredients: cocoa beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic cocoa butter.

Wm. Chocolate - Venezuela Porcelana 70% Dark bar - May 8, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Wm. Chocolate
Venezuela Porcelana 70% Dark bar
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 309 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $7.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Venezuela Theme Week.

Today's unique Venezuela Porcelana 70% Dark bar was from Wm. Chocolate (Madison, WI).

This chocolate had an intriguing complexity to it. Do stop and smell the chocolate, slowly. And leave a segment or two for re-tasting later, as different aroma and flavor notes will emerge with this bar.

At first, I thought I picked up an aroma with sweet, almost spicy and very faint green tea notes. Minutes later, there were darker chocolate notes. Next sniff (less than 30 seconds later) yielded a very light sweet tobacco floral smokey note.

This chocolate had a very memorable, sweet chocolate flavor with very light caramel, nut and diffuse menthol notes. The flavor arc then landed on true chocolate, very light fruit (melon); and the bar had a light chocolate lingering finish. (Note: several hours later, after some food, it had dried fruit notes.)

Chocolate maker, William Marx, described this bar as "mellow and elegant and shapeshifting"...with notes of "chocolate milk, coconut and cantaloupe." Marx also included information about the prized Porcelana cacao from northwestern Venezuela that was used to make this bar, as well as pairing suggestions.

Porcelana cacao beans have a light color and gentle, complex flavors. Marx notes that Porcelana "lacks genes for producing a pigment that gives most cacao a dark color and bitter flavor."

He further explains: "...Evolution favors the pigment: its bitterness encourages monkeys and other mammals to spit out the cacao seeds, thereby planting more cacao trees. We're still not entirely sure whether Porcelana cacao trees once had genetics for the dark pigment, then lost them, or simply never had them at all..."

Marx's suggested food/wine pairing to enjoy with this bar read as follows: "one of the few chocolates that can be paired well with white wines; IPAs; white spirits; mild, creamy cheese."

*Ingredients: cocoa beans, certified organic whole cane sugar (origin: Costa Rica), certified organic cocoa butter.

Wm. Chocolate - India Anamalai 65% (bar) - Apr. 27, 2020

Chocolate of the Day:

Wm. Chocolate
India Anamalai 65% Dark (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) in total bar
Calories: 152 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $4.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocosphere.com (online order)

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and India Theme Week.

Today's India Anamalai 65% Dark (bar) was from Wm. Chocolate made from bean-to-bar in Madison, Wisconsin, by chocolate maker William Marx.

This (2017 Harvest) single-estate cacao was grown at the Anamalai* Farm, "next to coconut and nutmeg" in Tamil Nadu, in southern India.

The 65% chocolate was sweetened with whole cane sugar. It felt like this form may have given the chocolate more authentic sweet flavor but with less actual sugar; but this could have been my imagination.

The relatively high percent of sugar (the more sugar, the lower % of cacao by definition) can add brightness or can make fruit notes sparkle. (Or it can just make chocolate too sweet. It all depends on the cacao and the maker.) In this case this three-ingredient** 65% bar did not taste too sweet (thank you!), and it did highlight the fruit flavors.

This chocolate had concentrated fruit (jam, raisin, prune) notes and a hint of spice and true chocolate with well balanced fruit acidity/tartness and a very slight nuttiness. This was pretty consistent with the maker's notes below:

Maker's notes: "nutty and jammy"... "with notes of grape jelly, peanut and spiced tea"

*Anamalai is associated with the "Elephant Mountains" area of western Tamil Nadu and shares a border between the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Cardamom, pepper and coffee are also grown in this area.

**Ingredients: cocoa beans, whole (unrefined) organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter

Wm. Chocolate - Honduras Wampusirpi 100% Dark bar - Dec. 16, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Wm. Chocolate
Honduras Wampusirpi 100% Dark bar
Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Honduras Theme Week.

Today's Honduras Wampusirpi 100% Dark bar was from Wm. Chocolate (Madison, WI).

Described as "Nutty and Intense," this chocolate had a slightly waxy melt and thick creamy texture, influenced by the surrounding cold weather.

This was ultra-dark chocolate had a pleasing and well-balanced uniform light bitterness (think hops, walnuts and/or certain very dark berries). This one-ingredient* chocolate would make a fine "every day" 100 percent-er. It was flavorful and bold, without being overpowering.

I was ready to order more from the Wm. Chocolate website, but it looks like this bar might have already sold out. A pity really. But, that's the way it is with small batch, artisan chocolate sometimes.

The chocolate maker's tasting notes read: "walnut, elderberry, gruyere"

*Ingredients: "cocoa beans"

Wm. Chocolate - Honduras Wampusirpi + 70% Dark + Hawaiian Red Salt bar - Dec. 15, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Wm. Chocolate
Honduras Wampusirpi + 70% Dark + Hawaiian Red Salt bar
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Honduras Theme Week.

Today's Honduras Wampusirpi + 70% Dark + Hawiaan Red Salt bar was from Wm. Chocolate (Madison, WI). Wm. Chocolate is the creation of bean-to-bar chocolate maker William (Will) Marx.

Described as "nutty and caramely," this artisan, single origin 70% dark bar was sweetened with "whole (unrefined) cane sugar.*"

Many of us are conditioned to brace ourselves for gooey sweet items when we hear the word "caramel." However, this chocolate exemplified the subtle side of caramel. (Thank you.) The amount of salt is judicious and subtle as well, allowing the rich chocolate flavor(s) to shine.

As for the cacao single origin, Wampusirpi is located in the relatively remote northeastern Honduras in Central America. (Wampusirpi is the largest of 26 localities in the Honduran department of Gracias a Dios.) The remoteness of this location means that the cocoa is more likely to be pure and flavorful and less likely to be treated with chemicals. Wm. Chocolate selects cacao for "fairness and flavor."

*Whole cane sugar is made from cane juice that is dried out.