Solkiki - Maranon Coconut Dark Milk 60% Whisky Nibs - Aug. 17, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

Solkiki
Maranon Coconut Dark Milk 60% Whisky Nibs (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 305 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $15.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl Garden, Carmel, CA

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Maranon 60% Coconut Dark Milk Whisky Nibs (bar) was from Solkiki Chocolatemaker (Dorset, U.K.). The company's founders (Iris and Bob) were early entrants (in 2008) in the new wave of bean-to-bar craft chocolate makers in the U.K.

The cacao used to make this whisky bar was Fortunato No. 4 Maranon cacao (a prized "Pure Nacional" variety from Peru). 

Starward Whisky (Australia) brought a rich, satisfying flavor (deep red wine, oak) into the cacao nibs and the entire bar.

Aroma and flavor notes included: pleasingly aromatic and warm whisky and dark chocolate. The coconut (fresh coconut + caramel) was very subtle (barely detectable) and the unrefined cane sugar added faint, warm brown sugar flavor depth that complemented the whisky and chocolate very nicely.

Texture: relatively smooth dark chocolate populated with a generous field of tiny crunchy (cacao nib) bits.

Not surprisingly, as someone who enjoys dark chocolate and bold, balanced spirits (whiskey) flavors, I really liked this bar. I found it a little addictive. 

I appreciated the makers' thoughtful, short list of quality and organic ingredients. And I liked that the coconut in this coconut milk chocolate was dialed back a little, serving as a successful background contributor vs. being more prominent.

Ingredients: "Organic Fortunato No.4 cacao beans, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic cold-pressed cacao butter, organic coconut, pink salt, Starward Whisky Fortunato No.4 nibs."

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut. "Vegan. May contain traces of soy, nuts, gluten"   

The Organic House - Maple Whisky 70% Cacao Thailand-Chumphon Collective (bar) - Aug. 16, 2026

Chocolate of The Day

The Organic House
Maple Whisky 70% Cacao Thailand-Chumphon Collective (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 27.5 oz. (.97 g.) / 55 oz. (1.94 g.) in total bar
Calories: 154 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate & Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Maple Whisky 70% Cacao Thailand-Chumphon Collective (bar) was from The Organic House (Burlington, Ontario, Canada).

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, subtle fruit, maple sugar and warm brown sugar + caramel.

Texture: This attractive, well-tempered, bar broke with an audible snap and had a smooth texture and melt.

I liked the short list of quality ingredients; and the authentic maple sugar/brown sugar and subtly the nuanced, single origin (Thailand) dark chocolate. I would have enjoyed tasting more of the whisky. 

Maker's Tasting Notes: "Warm notes of Whisky and maple, with a smooth finish"

Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, Ontario maple sugar, Organic cacao butter, Whisky 

Allergen-related information: "May contain: Cashews + Hazelnuts + Oats + Pecans."..."Made in a facility that uses tree nuts."

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 

Yojoa - Chocolate Oscuro Anejado en Barril de Whisky 70% - Feb. 15, 2026

Chocolate of the Day

Yojoa Chocolate
Chocolate Oscuro Anejado en Barril de Whisky 70%

(70% Whisky Barrel Aged Dark Chocolate (bar))
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.1 oz. (30 g.) / 2.2 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 180 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Dispensary, online order

Welcome to Day #12 of Chocolate & Central America Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Oscuro Anejado en Barril de Whisky 70% (aka 70% Whisky Barrel Aged Dark Chocolate (bar)) was made and distributed by Yojoa Chocolate S.A. de C.V (Honduras).

Yojoa chocolate is "made in a traditional way"--from tree to the bar--with single origin Trinitario (variety) cacao that has been grown on their farm in the Yojoa lake region of Honduras.

Aroma notes for this bar wrapped in beautiful (blue) packaging with bird images included: dark chocolate with aromatic, diffuse fruit(s); faint, warm spirits (whisky); vanilla and brown sugar (panela).

Texture: relatively smooth with a touch of fruit astringency.

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate, shortbread cookie; faint diffuse fruit (pear, light citrus, other barely there tropical fruits (pineapple)), and faint, warm spirits (whisky, rum, malted grains). This 70%er dark chocolate was low in bitterness, and had balanced fruit acidity.

This was definitely a dark chocolate; but the makers were able to achieve a unique, uplifting, flavor profile with this bar that included malted grains, shortbread cookie and/or vanilla rum cake with the use of stone-ground panela, and vanilla.

I appreciated this well-executed, well-balanced chocolate. It was like having multiple, tasty desserts in one flavorful bar. 

Mild, malty spirits mellowed the blend of spiked chocolate fudge, vanilla cake and faint nut (almond) flavors. And delicate, tart-sweet fruit compote notes gave it some mild zing.

Ingredients: "Cacao anejado, Dulce de panela molido, manteca de Cacao, Vainilla."

Allergen-related information: This product could contain particles of nuts.

*I've been featuring a new/different chocolate every day for 19+ years here on Chocolate Banquet.

Anthon Berg - Golden Jubilee Selection: 1.) Cointreau, 2.) Remy Martin Cognac, and 3.) Southern Comfort - Mar. 20, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Anthon Berg 

Golden Jubilee Selection
1.) Cointreau - Good ++
2.) Remy Martin Cognac Fine Champagne - Good + - Good ++
3.) Southern Comfort - Good ++

Weight: 1.69 oz. (48 g.) in 3 bottles / 2.2 lbs. (1 kilogram) in total 64-pc. Golden Jubilee Selection box
Calories: 216 calories (estimate) in 3 bottles 
Cost: $N/A - gift from a friend
Purchased from: N/A - gift from a friend

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Gold Theme Week. 

Today's three foil-wrapped chocolate bottles were part of a deluxe, 64-bottle Anthon Berg Golden Jubilee Selection (housed in an attractive gold package). The filled chocolate assortment featured several well-known spirits/liqueurs fillings from different countries.

Anthon Berg (Ballerup, Denmark) is a Danish Chocolatier (now a division of Toms International) with a history that stretches back to 1884.

How did each one taste? 

Cointreau 

The chocolate "bottle" had a smooth dark milk chocolate taste with a creamy melt and mouthfeel.

The Cointreau liquid (syrup) filling was authentic, with pleasing, clean, clear fragrant sweet orange and  very faint, pleasing herbal and balanced bitter orange notes toward the finish.

Remy Martin Cognac Fine Champagne 

Sweet, creamy and aromatic dark milk chocolate surrounded a generous sip of sweet, boozy, cognac/brandy flavored syrup.

Southern Comfort

The well-tempered, creamy dark milk bottle-shaped exterior contained a sweet, relatively complex warm, sweet whiskey, with very faint citrus and oak notes.

Note: The dark chocolate did not contain milk, even though it had the smooth taste and creamy texture of a dark milk chocolate.

A testament to how versatile chocolate can be, the chosen dark chocolate couverture complemented all the spirits-based fillings well.

Ingredients: Sugar, cocoa mass**, cocoa butter**, water, spirits 6% (whiskey, liqueurs, cognac, whisky, vodka, liqueur (coconut), rum), natural orange flavor (Cointreau(R)), 0.8%, flavoring. (Minimum 50% cocoa solids in dark chocolate.)

** = Rainforest Alliance Certified

Allergen-related information: Contains Coconut. May contain traces of milk and tree nuts.

Kasama Chocolate - Odd Society Single Malt Canadian Whisky 70% Cacao (bar) - Dec. 1, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Kasama Chocolate
Odd Society Single Malt Canadian Whisky 70% Cacao Barrel Aged (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 163 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $19.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

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

Today's Odd Society Single Malt Canadian Whisky 70% Cacao Barrel Aged (bar) was from Kasama Chocolate (Vancouver, B.C., Canada).  

This Special Release bean-to-bar chocolate was made using cacao beans from Northern Ecuador (Costa Esmeraldas). These roasted cacao beans (broken into pieces, aka nibs) were "aged with Odd Society Distillery's Commodore single malt whisky*. The nibs were then dried and stone ground to create a...rich dark chocolate with oak and whisky notes."

Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth, dark chocolate; a bouquet of marinated fruits (ripe cherry, sweet/boozy orange, citron and sweet lime); barrel-aged whiskey; very, very faint (fleeting) vegetable (green beans + nopalitos cooked with a little lemon); and very faint herbal (licorice). In the finish: fudge brownie, whiskey, vanilla and cherry tobacco, subtle oak.

Texture: smooth, chocolate-y with a pleasing melt and mouthfeel.

I enjoyed the balanced, rich complexity and unexpected fruitiness in this bar. It was flavorful, not too sweet (thank you!), and satisfying. I liked that the complex cocktail of flavors extended into a relatively long finish with mellow, authentic, barrel-aged whiskey, vanilla and light cherry. 

This would be a great bar to share with friends and family over the holidays, or to provide a little warmth to any winter day/evening.

Ingredients: Commodore Whisky Aged Cacao Nibs, Unrefined Cane Sugar*, Cacao Butter* (* = Organic) 

Allergen-related information: None listed, except "Made in a facility that contains nuts."

*The Odd Society Commodore small-batch whisky in this bar tasted closer to Bourbon than Scotch. It was "distilled with 100% BC grown, malted barley, and aged in ex-bourbon barrels, giving it a...peppery-sweetness, along with dark fruit, clove, and toffee notes." 

To'ak Chocolate - 75% Cacao 2019 Tasmanian Whisky Cask Ex-Tawny Aged - June 29, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

To'ak Chocolate
75% Cacao 2019 Tasmanian Whisky Cask Ex-Tawny Aged
Good +++ - Very Good
Weight: .106 oz. (3 g.) for 1 square / 1.9 oz. (54 g.) in total bar/package of 18
Calories: 21 calories in 1 square
Cost: N/A - holiday gift from family
Purchased from: N/A - holiday gift from family (thank you Megan and Tony!)

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

Today's 75% (Ecuador) Cacao 2019 Tasmanian Whisky Cask Ex-Tawny individually-wrapped square was part of a six-flavor, tasting square assortment of chocolates--all made from tree-to-bar in Ecuador by To'ak Chocolate (Quito, Ecuador). 

To'ak specializes in Ecuadorian Nacional cacao. This rare cacao variety was almost lost in the 1900s due to disease and other factors.*

Aroma and flavor notes for today's 75% dark chocolate included: dark chocolate and slightly boozy: slightly sweet whisky, and complex and attractive white wine grape/raisin, honey, very faint wood; faint nut; and faint, diffuse fruit (cacao pulp, red fruit). 

The texture of this tasting square was well tempered, uniformly smooth, thick (in a cool room) and relatively creamy. There was a very faint astringency (dryness) toward the second half/finish.

What a delicious ride this was! The dark chocolate was flavorful but not so strong that it muted the wonderful barrel aged flavors. In case you want to look this one up on the To'ak website, you'll find that full-sized (whisky and spirits) bars are either sold out and/or are priced at more than $200 USD.

The makers have become skilled at cask-aging cacao, adding complexity and enhancing already nuanced flavors of heirloom cacao. You're enjoying a two-ingredient chocolate, but it tastes like there are other flavor inclusions. Their tagline says it all:

"Made like a vintage wine, aged like a whisky, and packaged like a work of art. We work closely with local farmers and artists to make truly unique and unforgettable chocolate." 

Ingredients: "Organic Heirloom Cacao Beans, Organic Sugar"

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk, soy or nuts."

*Witches Broom, a plant gall disease (caused by fungus and other contributing causes) disfigures plants. (It also significantly affected cacao harvests in Brazil in the 1980s.) 

In the maker's words: "As of 2009, pure Nacional cacao was believed to be extinct. Our journey led us to the secluded valley of Piedra de Plata, where we found some of the last surviving trees..."

 

Charbonnel et Walker - Whisky Truffles - June 1, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Charbonnel et Walker 
Whisky Truffles
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 4.58 oz. (130 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 2 chocolates/truffles
Cost: $29.95 for 1 box of 8 truffles
Purchased from: Charbonnel et Walker, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate, Spirits and Savory Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Whisky Truffles were from Charbonnel et Walker (London). The company was originally established in 1875, and has supplied chocolates to British royalty ("By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen").

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, whisky and butter. All three harmonized quite nicely.

These dark chocolate whisky truffles had a buttery smooth and creamy texture, particularly the spirit-infused ganache (filling) centers.

Today's Whisky Truffles were enjoyed with savory snacks (chicken chips and salted nuts).

Maker's description: "Dark chocolate truffles with a dark chocolate, butter and Scotch whisky centre, lightly dusted in cocoa powder."

Ingredients: Bittersweet chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa fat, soy lecithin), salted butter (milk), blended Scotch Whisky, cocoa powder alkalised, natural flavoring, soy lecithin. Bittersweet chocolate contains cocoa solids 70% minimum.

Allergen-related information: Contains Milk and soy. May contain tree nuts and wheat.

 

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).

Mutari Chocolate - Venus Spirits Rye Whisky-Brown Butter (truffle) - Dec. 22, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Mutari Chocolate
Venus Spirits Rye Whisky-Brown Butter (truffle)
Good +++
Weight: .49 oz. (14 g.) (estimate) in one truffle
Calories: 73 calories (estimate) in 1 truffle
Cost: $3.00 (estimate) for 1 truffle

Welcome to Day #3 of  Chocolate and Holiday Theme Week.

Today's flavorful Venus Spirits Ry Whisky-Brown Butter craft chocolate truffle was created by Mutari Chocolate (Santa Cruz, CA).

During a recent visit, the company's factory + shop (retail) location was offering a dozen different single origin chocolate bars, both traditional (dairy) and vegan confections (craft chocolate truffles); baked goods; and drinking chocolates.

Today's truffle infused with whisky (from Santa Cruz neighbor Venus Spirits) had a subtle but rich and attractive aroma. 

A gold accented, dark chocolate shell was filled with a balanced, boozy, creamy soft chocolate ganache with a light touch of savory (brown butter and salt). Warning, these truffles are mildly addictive.

Ingredients: (Not available on truffle assortment box ID card). Elements identified by name: Venus Spirits Rye Whisky, brown butter

Allergen-related information: (no label; but identified as containing dairy)

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).

flying noir - NY black rye; cynara - Nov. 24, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

flying noir
1.) NY black rye - Good ++
2.) cynara - Good ++ - Very Good

Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate) for 1 piece
Calories: 120 calories (estimate) for 2 pieces
Cost: $12.00 (estimate) for 1 box of 6 pieces
Purchased from: flying noir, at Fall Chocolate Salon, San Francisco, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Thankful Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Holiday Spirits Theme Week.

The Thanksgiving-to-Christmas holiday period is festooned with sweets. Sometimes I'm very thankful for smaller, high-quality chocolates that are layered with interesting, less sweet flavors.

Today's pair of filled chocolates, from flying noir (Oakland, CA) were part of the company's "spirited" collection: one part eye-catching miniature art pieces, and two parts artful flavor layering.

NY black rye
The NY black rye chocolate from flying noir was an artful gem, painted in shades of burgandy-red, orange, yellow and blue. A piece of dried Bing cherry at the center was surrounded by a bittersweet ganache (filling) that was flavored with Michter's single barrel US*1 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, and a hint of Kauai guava smoked sea salt.

Cynara
I also sampled flying noir's "cynara." This chocolate-covered oval (painted in faint blue-green opal colors) was filled with a sweet, creamy caramel white chocolate ganache, and tempered with Cynar* bitters. A true study in bittersweet.

*Cynar is an Italian bitter liqueur/apertif made from 13 herbs and plants, with artichoke being one of the dominant flavors.

Butlers - Irish Whiskey Truffle bar - March 12, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Butlers Chocolates
Irish Whiskey Truffle bar
Good
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 2.64 oz. (75 g.) in 1/3 bar
Calories: 116.6 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $4.89 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Abe's Market (online order)

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Green Theme Week.

This Irish Whiskey Truffle bar from Butlers Chocolates (Dublin, Ireland) was infused with Jameson Irish Whiskey. When I opened the gold foil liner wrapping paper, a fragrant whiff of whiskey greeted my nostrils.

The dark chocolate covered truffle bar was easily broken into six segments; and it was filled with a smooth, creamy milk chocolate ganache center.

ChocolateBet: October 28, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Chocolate Visions
Single Malt
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $2.00
Purchased from: Chocolate Visions, in Scotts Valley, CA

Life is good when you can enjoy a theme week involving chocolate and single malt whisky.

Today's Single Malt chocolate from Chocolate Visions (Scotts Valley, CA) was gathered while on a chocolate and wine field trip in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California last weekend. (Picture from Ridge Vineyards overlooking Silicon Valley, bottom right).

Chocolate Visions makes bars and truffles with added flavors and ingredients, including several flavored with local wines. (You'll see these next week.) But the Single Malt chocolate with the red lion was the perfect choice for today (Day #5 of Chocolate and Whisk(e)y Theme Week.

ChocolateBet: October 27, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
fleurir
Irish Coffee
Good+ - Very Good
Weight: .4 oz. (11.32 g.)
Calories: 60 calories (estimate)
Cost: $34.00 for 18-piece box (+ any shipping)
Purchased from: fleurir, via foodzie.com

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Whisk(e)y Theme Week.

As the weather gets colder, visions of rich hot chocolate drinks spiked with whiskey start dancing in my head. And, chocolates like today's "Irish Coffee" from fleurir (based in Washington, D.C.) encourage this thinking. A milk chocolate ganache with Irish whiskey, Irish cream, and coffee, this Irish Coffee was a delicious rendition of the hot drink by the same name -- condensed down to a small square.

ChocolateBet: October 26, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
"Whisky" (filled chocolate)
Very Good
Weight: .49 oz. (13.8 g.) (estimate)
Calories: 72 calories (estimate)
Cost: $1.35 (with discount)
Purchased from: Fog City News, in San Francisco, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Whisk(e)y Theme Week. Some whisky-flavored chocolates are so mildly flavored, you'd have to strain to taste any alcohol. Not so with this tiny, half-barrel shaped, foil-wrapped chocolate. I took one small bite, and quickly had to shove the rest in my mouth to prevent the authentic-tasting, liquid whisky filling from dripping onto my lap. Sadly, this meant, no picture was taken of the chocolate itself.

Note: I neglected to ask Fog City News for the maker/brand name. I will fill this in later.

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: October 24, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1 piece
Chocolat Moderne
"The Player" bonbon - Single Malt Scotch
Good+
Weight: .5 oz. (14 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) total pkg. of 5
Calories: 75 calories (estimate)
Cost: $15.95 for package of 5 bonbons
Purchased from: Fog City News, in San Francisco, CA

Today's "The Player" bonbon with Dark Single Malt Scotch Ganache was the kick-off chocolate for (Day #1 of) Chocolate and Whisky (or Whiskey if you're Irish) Theme Week.

This heart-shaped chocolate, decorated with a white and purple decorative smear across the top, was part of Chocolat Moderne's Devotion collection of 5 bonbons.