Intrigue Chocolate - Scotch Whiskey Truffle - Nov. 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Scotch Whiskey Truffle
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .314 oz. (8.9 g.) / 4.09 oz. (116 g.) (estimate) in total box of 12 (13) truffles
Calories: 49 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle
Cost: $44.00 for 1 box of 12 (13) different truffles
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Scotch Whiskey Truffle was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).

Intrigue Chocolate's Chef Aaron has created an estimated 400 different chocolate flavors in the past few decades. (A person after my own chocolate-marinated heart.) I found 13 of those flavors (including some with spirits) in this baker's dozen truffle assortment box--as well as several flavors in bar form (ordered online) that I'm looking forward to trying soon.

Aroma and flavor notes for today's, precision-cut, very slightly boozy square truffle included: rich, true dark chocolate and spirits (Scotch whiskey).

Texture: buttery, soft, creamy (yet firm enough not to melt in your hand immediately) with a generous dusting of cocoa powder.

This satisfying, small chocolate was one to savor. It landed squarely in the Goldilocks zone for me: not too sweet or acidic, subtle and authentic flavors. If you like dark chocolate and you like whiskey, especially Scotch Whiskey, try this one.

Ingredients: Chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla, soy lecithin), Cream (milk), flavors (as described in the truffle name).

Allergen-related information: Contains Dairy, Soy.

Vosges - Collection + The Dalmore 14 Truffle with Pecan - Dec. 30, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Vosges

The Dalmore + Vosges Haut-Chocolat 9-piece box (3 flavors)

1.) Chiba Hateruma - Good ++

2.) Naga - Good +++

3.) The Dalmore 14 - Good +++

Weight: 1.22 oz. (34.66 g.) / 3.66 oz. (104 g.) in 9-piece box

Calories: 140 calories in 3 pieces

Purchased from: Vosges, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Spirits Theme Week.

This Dalmore 14 Truffle with Pecan is the second of two whisky-related chocolate posts today from Vosges IP, LLC (Chicago, IL). 

(See previous post for a write-up on The Dalmore 14 Collection -- featuring three different whiskey-infused chocolate flavors.) Both collections sampled today were housed in an attractive black, 9-piece box, with three flavors each, and with tasting tips and information to enhance a tasting experience.

Note: Today's Chiba Hateruma and Naga chocolates, the other two flavors in this Vosges box did not contain Dalmore Scotch Whisky, but were appealing, exotic tasting partners in today's spirit-infused chocolate tasting flight.

Chiba Heruma

This very beautiful (matte forest green) chocolate was topped with finely chopped Japanese Chiba* peanuts. 

Aroma notes for this 62% cacao dark chocolate included: faint spice, and faint chocolate and tart green citrus herb (oxalis). Bursting forth from inside was a very soft, flowing, lightly salted, sweet caramel filling with very faint herbal notes.

Naga 

The Naga chocolate contained "housemade and toasted curry masala + coconut puree + 45% cacao deep milk chocolate."

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet brown sugar, spices (very faint curry blend) and chocolate. 

The firmer, outer chocolate shell was topped with (curry) spices that harmonized very nicely with a much lighter (whipped cream/mousse) creamy chocolate center that had very light coconut notes. The layered flavors were very satisfying.

I'd tasted a similar Vosges Naga chocolate many years ago. At the time the southeast Asian-inspired spice blend with chocolate was considered very exotic. It may still be. It was deliciously novel and inspired, now as then. And today's Naga chocolate was possibly even better than I remember the first one being.

The Dalmore 14 

Last but not least in this trio of filled chocolates....The Dalmore 14 with Pecan. 

Aroma notes for this 62% dark chocolate topped with a "candied whisky soaked pecan" included: very faint honey-ed whisky, chocolate and faint lightly woodsy nut (pecan). 

The flavors: a sweet, rich and harmoniously layered blend of smooth dark chocolate ganache, whisky, caramel and softly crunchy, pecan. Very nice winter warmer and companion pairing with a sip of Scotch.

Collective ingredients (for all three chocolate flavors in this box): Milk chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, ground vanilla beans), heavy cream, brown rice syrup, bittersweet chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, ground vanilla beans), Okinawa black sugar, Hateruma brown sugar, cane sugar, coconut puree (coconut milk, invert sugar syrup), grass-fed butter, Dalmore 14 Year Scotch, cocoa butter, white chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, nonfat dry milk, soy lecithin, Chiba peanuts, turmeric, Madagascar vanilla beans, blue color (spirulina extract, fruit juice), water, invert sugar syrup, pecans sea salt, nutmeg, ground ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel seed, clove, fenugreek seed, sunflower lecithin, white pepper, black pepper. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains peanuts, coconut, pecans, milk, soy."..."Processed on equipment that also processes milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, sesame and tree nuts."

*Chiba prefecture in Japan is the largest producer of peanuts in the country, and is known for flavored peanuts (sugared, salted, spiced, matcha/green tea, other).

Vosges - Dalmore 14 Collection: The Dalmore 18 and The Dalmore 12 (Scotch Whiskey truffles) - Dec. 30, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Vosges IP, LLC

The Dalmore 14 Collection

1.) The Dallmore 18 - Scotch whisky + vanilla bean coffee +... - Very Good

2.) The Dallmore 12 - Scotch whisky + proprietary 62% cacao dark... Good +++ - Very Good

Weight: 1.626 oz. (46.2 g.) for 4 truffles / 3.66 oz. (104 g.) for 9-piece box

Calories: 227 calories (approx.) in 4 truffles

Cost: $42.00 for box of 9 truffles

Purchased from: Vosges, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Spirits Week. 

Today's 9-piece (3 flavors* or "parfums") box of high-end truffles--"The Dalmore 14 Collection" (The Dalmore Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey) x Vosges Haut-Chocolat"--from Vosges IP, LLC was impressive. Luxurious in its packaging, it also delivered a wonderful, high-end tasting experience.

Below is a short review of two of the three flavors in this box. (The third contained wheat, so I did not sample.)

The Dalmore 18

My favorite in this Collection. Infused with The Dalmore 18 Scotch whisky, this white chocolate covered truffle was adorned with pieces of real gold leaf. It was filled with a layered ganache that was full of delightful surprises.

Aroma notes included: come hither subtle vanilla and faint scotch, buttery vanilla wafer with a ghost of coffee latte on the side.

The flavors inside were very special: a blend of indulgent, lovely dark chocolate ganache, nuanced aged whiskey, caramel, brown sugar, coffee, vanilla and diffuse fruit (citrus) and woodsy nut ("pecan"). (Note: there were no pecans in this collection box.)

The contrast between the pure ivory white chocolate on the outside and the incredible, deep rich flavors on the inside was a wonderful reveal when taking a bite of this chocolate.

This was made with The Dalmore 18 Year Scotch, aged in Bourbon barrels and Sherry casks-- "gaining (from the Bourbon barrels) signature notes of toasted vanilla and tropical fruit"...and "rich chocolate and sherried fruits" (notes) from Matusalem Oloroso Sherry casks. 

Vosges Tasting Notes:

The Nose: Vanilla, dark chocolate, orange and cinnamon

The Palette: Dark chocolate, candied citrus fruits

The Finish: Citrus fruits and rich molasses

The Dalmore 12

Aroma notes: sweet dark chocolate, faint citrus (sweet orange), whiskey (sophisticated caramel and faint smoked honey-vanilla notes), and very faint warm spice.

Taste: layers of rich flavors: chocolate (chocolate brownie, dark chocolate mousse with orange liqueur, Scotch-infused caramel and citrus peel--accompanied by different facets of orange and warm spice.

These two truffles were a fantastic pre-New Year's treat. Think of the best high-end chocolate desserts you've had, transformed into truffle form.

Note: Ingredients listed below include complete/combined list for all three chocolates in this collection box.

Ingredients: "Chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla bean seeds), bittersweet chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla bean seeds), white chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, skimmed milk powder, soy lecithin - an emulsifier), caramel (cream, non-gmo corn syrup, cane sugar, non-gmo soy lecithin, sodium bicarbonate), extra virgin olive oil, speculoos cookies (what flour, sugar, vegetable oils (palm, rapeseed), candy syrup, raising agents (sodium hydrogen carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate), salt, cinnamon), cane sugar, organic burnt sugar syrup (organic sugar, water), Dalmore 15-year old scotch, cold brew coffee concentrate (water, coffee), raw honey, syrups, molasses, burnt sugar syrup (sugar, water), bittersweet chocolate (chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin--an emulsifier, natural flavor), Dalmore 12-year old scotch, Dalmore 18-year scotch, gold leaf, candied orange peel (orange peel strips, glucose, fructose syrup, sugar, dextrose, citric acid, sulphites), sugar, brown rice syrup, blood orange puree (blood oranges, sugar), cinnamon, hibiscus powder, non-GMO bitter orange liqueur, sea salt, orange zest, cocoa powder [processed with alkali], ground ginger, natural vanilla flavor, organic soy lecithin--an emulsifier."

Allergen-related information: "Contains: milk, soy, wheat"

*Note I did not sample the third Dalmore scotch-infused chocolate with ginger crumb(s) in this collection, as it contained cookies/wheat.

Chocolate Tree - Whisky Nibs 70% bar - July 13, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chocolate Tree

Whisky Nibs 70% bar

Good+

Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar

Calories: 196 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Bourbon and Whiskey* Theme Week.

Today's Whisky Nibs 70% bar was from Chocolate Tree (Dunbar, Scotland). The presence of spirits was unmistakable in this five-ingredient dark bar (cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, cacao nibs (10%), whisky (6%)). 

The makers selected cacao nibs from the Maranon Canyon in Peru; and these nibs were soaked in single malt Scotch whisky from Islay, an island known for whisky with peaty flavor notes. These nibs were then blended with cacao from the same origin (Peru) to make 70% cacao dark chocolate—two individually-wrapped bars in today's package.

The nibs provided some texture as well as boozy, authentic whisky flavor and aroma.

*You say whisky, I say whiskey...Which spelling is correct? The spelling differences are largely regional; but they are also tied to pride of origin and specific product classifications as well. E.g., the Scots use "whisky" without an "e" and Scotch whisky (usually made with malted barley) is made in Scotland, whereas the Irish refer to Irish "whiskey" with an "e." You may find both spellings in the U.S. However, Bourbon Whiskey (with an "e") refers to a specific whiskey made in the U.S., generally in Kentucky (from corn).

Vosges - Mash Bill Collection - November 19, 2012

Chocolate(s) of the Day:

Vosges Haut Chocolat
1.) Bourbon Truffle - Good
2.) Whiskey Truffle - Very Good
3.) Scotch Truffle - Good
Weight: 1.13 oz. (32.3 g.) / 3.42 oz. (97 g.) in 9-piece box
Calories: 157 calories for 3 truffles
Cost: $26.00 for total 9-piece box
Purchased from: Vosges.com, Chicago, IL

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week. Some chocolates are decorated with a visible dash of salt crystals. Other chocolates, like some of today's, contain just a trace, or can benefit from a tiny dash of tasting salt on the side.

The ingredients list printed on the Mash Bill Truffle Collection from Vosges Haut Chocolat (Chicago, IL), contained sea salt as an ingredient, but it was unclear which of the four* flavored truffles contained salt; it was very subtle. No matter. I found a pinch of (additional) sea salt was especially good with the deep milk chocolate (45%) Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Truffle that was topped with finely chopped pecan bits.


My favorite of the three truffles I tried was the dark chocolate (62% cacao) Templeton Rye Whiskey Truffle with tart cherry (which I particularly liked) and tobacco. The whiskey also harmonized well with the dark chocolate ganache.

The deep milk (45%) Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Scotch truffle contained traces of coconut, cocoa nib caramel and pineapple, a bold combinations of flavors.

* Note: I did not sample the Rogue Chocolate Stout Truffle, the fourth in this collection, due to concerns about possible wheat/gluten.

ChocolateBet: October 25, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1/4 bar
zotter Schokoladen Manufaktur GmbH
Scotch Whisky - Highland Harvest (bar)
Very Good - Very Good+
Weight: .62 oz. (17.5 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 93 calories (estimate)
Cost: $7.95 total bar
Purchased from: Fog City News, San Francisco, CA

The chocolate choice for Day #2 of Chocolate and Whisk(e)y Theme Week: a blend of cacao, organic cane sugar, milk, Scotch whisky -- from the Highlands region of Scotland no less (at least I think it was). All this came in the form of an organic, filled chocolate bar from Austrian-based, bean-to-bar maker: zotter.

ChocolateBet: May 27, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Amano Chocolate
Jembrana (70% Cacao Minimum)
Very Good
Weight: 2 oz. (56 grams)
Calories: 290 calories
Cost: $6.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Draegers, in Menlo Park, CA

Thank you to Rick at Amano Chocolate for helping to find a local store that carry their bars, and for recommending that I try pairing chocolate with single malt scotch. I felt like the nice, smooth Jembrana flavor was overshadowed by the scotch. But, I like the idea of combining the two.

Chocolate countdown: 11 more days until I've eaten 1,000 different kinds of chocolate in 1,000 days.