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.

Ritual Chocolate - The Apres Chocolate w/ Sparkling White Wine infused chocolate, raspberries (bar) - Dec. 29, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Ritual Chocolate
The Apres Chocolate - Sparkling White Wine Infused Chocolate with Dried Raspberries 70% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .706 oz. (20 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 100 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order 

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

This sparkling white wine infused chocolate was the second of two 70% dark chocolate bars featured today--each with its own "spirited" magic. (See previous post to read about Auro Chocolate's Don Papa Rum Infused 70% bar from the Philippines.)

Today's "The Apres Chocolate" - Sparkling White Wine Infused Chocolate with Dried Raspberries 70% Cacao (bar) was from Ritual Chocolate (Heber City, UT).

Aroma notes for this dark chocolate bar included: tart, sweet red raspberry and dark chocolate, very faint white wine, faint angel food cake, warm spice (barely detectable/inferred star anise), and a trace of butter cookies with confectioners sugar and raspberry jam centers.

Flavor notes for this relatively creamy, festive chocolate included dark chocolate (chocolate ganache, faint brownie), flickers of fresh red raspberry, and very faint white wine.

Maker's tasting notes: Champagne and Raspberries

Ingredients: Cacao, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, freeze-dried raspberries, sparkling white wine.

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat

Auro Chocolate - Don Papa Rum 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) - Dec. 29, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Auro Chocolate

Don Papa Rum 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)

Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar

Calories: 163.5 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Spirits Theme Week--a series featuring both holiday spirits and distilled/fermented spirit-infused chocolates. This was the first of two chocolates enjoyed today. (See next post for The Apres Chocolate Sparkling White Wine-infused 70% bar with raspberries from Ritual Chocolate.)

And, you may have noticed it's Day #9 of this week...Fueled by the spirit of abundance (and a little theobromine*), theme weeks on Chocolate Banquet often extend beyond the conventional 7-day week. 

Don Papa Rum 70% Dark Chocolate

Today's Don Papa Rum-infused 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was created ("from tree to bar") by Auro Chocolate (Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines) in collaboration with Bleeding Heart Rum Company. 

This small batch (limited edition) dark chocolate with spirits was well-crafted (well-tempered (broke with a nice hard snap) and nicely balanced). It offered sophisticated subtle flavor--from just four high-quality ingredients including cacao beans from Saloy Estate, Davao (Philippines), and a (Filipino) premium aged, single-island rum. 

Aroma and flavor notes included a simple, elegant combination of sweet, dark chocolate with traces of a warm, golden** aura (the rum). Very faint background aroma notes also included: tart green lemon herb (oxalis), implied warm spice.

The rum added subtle warmth and flavor depth. It had a very pleasant lingering middle and finish. This professionally-executed chocolate (with no off-notes) was sweet and smooth, but certainly not boring. 

Ingredients: Cacao mass, cane sugar, cacao butter, rum

Allergen-related information: "This product is manufactured in a facility that processes other products which may contain milk, soy, tree nuts, and peanuts."

*Theobromine is a naturally-occurring, plant-produced alkaloid that acts like a stimulant in humans and other animals. 

Like caffeine (also a plant alkaloid and stimulant)--that is also present in smaller amounts in cacao/chocolate--theobromine is processed and tolerated differently, depending on the individual. 

Personally I am more sensitive to caffeine than most, but am not affected as much by theobromine. (Others may experience the opposite effect.) 

So I can eat all the chocolate I want (wheeee!). Not true. There is still sugar in chocolates to consider. After eating more than 2-3 ounces of dark chocolate at one sitting...it's just not as much fun. I start to experience diminishing returns after about 2 oz. of 70% dark chocolate. 

Caution: if you dabble in truly great chocolate(s), especially more than 1 kind/bar a day (like today)...the recommended theobromine levels may be exceeded. And you run the risk of becoming a chocolate-fueled chatterbox. (Proven fact: Good chocolate + higher amount of chocolate = longer posts and digressions/footnotes here on Chocolate Banquet.)

** Auro Chocolate's name in the Philippines: doing business as (dba) Filipinas Oro de Cacao, Inc....Loosely translated, golden cacao of the Philippines.

SOMA Chocolatemaker - Starry Night - Dark (bar) - Dec. 28, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

SOMA Chocolatemaker
Starry Night - Dark (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: 1.165 oz. (33 g.) /2.33 oz. (66 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $12.75 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Starry Night chocolate bar was from SOMA Chocolatemaker (Toronto, Canada). 

The company is located in the Distillery Historic District in Toronto--in a complex of brick (old distillery) buildings now used for retail shops (and this chocolate factory and tasting area). 

In honor of SOMA's factory history (and this week's spirits theme), I enjoyed this bar with a very small sip of whiskey. The chocolate was quite good by itself; and it might also pair well with a whiskey, for those adults so inclined. 

Pretty little salt crystals (visible through a clear window in the packaging) doubled as stars--tiny twinklers strewn across a night sky.

The image of a rabbit--gazing skyward, to view the Aurora Borealis dancing overhead in the night sky--completed this "Starry Night" vision. 

Aroma notes included: flavorful dark chocolate (dark ganache), faint/diffuse fruit (berry); sweet, very faintly fermented cacao; faint cream/butter; and barely there warm spice.

The chocolate texture was smooth, accented with a few tiny crunchy sparkles of sea salt (from the Newfoundland Salt Company, in Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada).

The flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes mentioned above: sweet, relatively creamy dark chocolate (dark ganache, diffuse berry); This chocolate was made using a blend of cacao origins; and it was friendly and well balanced (sweet and salt), with no "off" notes. 

Ingredients: Cocoa nibs, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter, salt

Allergen-related information: "May contain trace amounts of peanuts, tree nuts, soy and dairy."

*Earlier this month, I flew by/over Canada to Iceland: to see the Northern Lights, aka Aurora Borealis. The illustration on this bar of a colorful aurora fluxing across the night sky brought back fond memories of this trip. The illustration of the hare (rabbit) looking skyward captured the spirit of that trip, including the wonder I felt looking at the stars and the dancing lights above the mountains.

And, yes, there were great chocolates in Iceland too.

Ghirardelli - Hot Cocoa "Double Chocolate" + eggnog - Dec. 27, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Ghirardelli

Hot Cocoa Mix "Double Chocolate" (dry mix, mug set for 2 people)

Good ++

Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) in one single-serving packet (dry mix only)

Calories: 90 calories in 1 serving (plus added milk)

Cost: $13.99 for 1 set (included 2 packets + 2 holiday mugs)

Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

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

It may be after Christmas, but holiday spirits are still going strong this week. After viewing holiday lights, a winter warmer sounded good. Today's red and white holiday mugs full of Hot Cocoa were made using a dry mix (plus 2 mug set) from Ghirardelli Chocolate Company (San Leandro, CA).

My additions to the Ghirardelli mix included: whole milk, very small amounts of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a small amount of Bourbon Vanilla flavored whipping cream.

I used 8 fl. oz. of hot whole milk (vs. the 6 fl. oz. of milk called for), per mug. The result: very satisfying, creamy cups of hot cocoa. (Thank you to Megan for tasting help.)

This hot chocolate was enjoyed with a square of dark chocolate peppermint bark (topped with white chocolate and crushed bits of candy canes), and a small glass of eggnog (with a small dash of brandy).

Ingredients (dry mix): Sugar, cocoa processed with alkali, unsweetened chocolate, soy lecithin, vanilla extract.

Allergen-related information: (Contained milk as prepared.) "May contain milk, egg, tree nuts, and wheat." 

Homemade Barely Spiked Hot Chocolate flavored w/ vanilla, Amaretto, whiskey-soaked nibs

Chocolate of the Day

Homemade Barely Spiked Hot Chocolate

(flavored with vanilla, Amaretto, whiskey-soaked nibs)

Good +

Weight: Approx. 8 fl. oz. (30 mL) glass

Calories: 175 calories (estimate) for 1 glass

Cost: N/A - various ingredients already on hand

Purchased from: N/A - various stories

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Holiday Spirits. After over-doing it a bit this past week (multiple chocolate entries per day), I am relaxing with a homemade, very lightly spiked hot chocolate.

Today's homemade hot chocolate was a blend of hot milk, dark chocolate (2 squares of dark chocolate + 1/2 teaspoon dark cocoa powder), and a very small amount of melted butter, flavored with vanilla, 1 Tablespoon of whiskey-soaked cacao nibs (strained out after heating), and 1/4 teaspoon of Amaretto (almond flavored liqueur). The alcohol in the whiskey was no longer detectable but the flavor remained in the cocoa nibs.*

No sugar or added sweeteners. And very little alcohol. So, I was able to taste all the other wonderful ingredients. 

I've felt very grateful for being able to spend time with friends and family this holiday week. This morning, however, I enjoyed a chocolate that was less buzzy, and more relaxing. This was closer to a hot milk than a sweetened hot chocolate. The wonderful thing about cacao is that it doesn't have to be candy to be enjoyed.

Happy Holidays all.

*Spirits-infused cacao nibs (pieces of cacao beans) are very easy to make and can be used in baking and to infuse flavor into desserts and beverages. (Adding cacao nibs to brownies or cookies is worth trying.)

To make your own, put about 1/4 of a cup of cacao nibs into a small glass jar with a metal screw lid. Pour whiskey, rum (or your spirit of choice) over the nibs, enough to barely cover them. Then put the lid on and put them in a cool, dark place (dark cabinet, refrigerator door). Over time the alcohol dissipates; but the flavor remains, and the nibs are left with a more hydrated, softer crunch.

If you like the results, I recommend experimenting with different cacao bean varieties and origins (e.g. cacao nibs from a specific country if available). Different cacao origins will have a slightly different aroma and flavor. Some may be fruitier; some may have a slightly nuttier flavor. And others will smell more like "true" chocolate (brownies).

Godiva - Limited Edition Assorted Chocolates; Butlers - Irish Whiskey Milk & Dark Chocolate Truffles - Dec. 25, 2022

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Godiva 
Limited Edition Assorted Chocolate Collection
1.) Salted Caramel Lion of Belgium - Good +
2.) Midnight Swirl - Good ++
3.) Dark Chocolate Ganache Bliss - Good +
Weight: 1.325 oz. (37.5 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total box of 8 piece box
Calories: 180 calories in 3 piece(s)
Cost: N/A - holiday gift (Thank you Milo and family!)
Purchased from: N/A - holiday gift

Butlers Chocolates
Irish Whiskey Milk and Dark Chocolate Truffles
Good + 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 4.41 oz. (125 g.) in total box of 10 pieces
Calories: 115 calories in 2 truffles
Cost: $5.99 for 1 box of 10 pieces
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. May your days be merry and bright--and filled with good chocolate.

Today's Christmas Day chocolate line-up included: 1.) three filled chocolates from Godiva (U.S. headquarters: New York City, NY) and 2.) Irish Whiskey Milk and Dark Chocolate Truffles (one of each flavor) from Butlers Chocolates UC (Dublin, Ireland). 

These two companies have been producing chocolate confections for more than 96 years and 90 years, respectively.

Godiva

Godiva was founded in Belgium in 1926. The following three chocolates were enjoyed from a holiday assortment box.

The regal-looking, shield/crest shaped "Salted Caramel Lion of Belgium" was covered in sweet, smooth dark chocolate with a soft, flowing lightly-salted caramel filling inside.

The "Dark Ganache Bliss" had a dark chocolate shell filled with a fudgey, sweet 72% cacao dark chocolate filling (ganache).

The "Midnight Swirl" ultra-dark chocolate had an 85% cacao dark ganache center, and had aroma and flavor notes that included: fudge brownie, very faint fruit, warm spice and earth.

The Midnight Swirl was my favorite of the three pieces, largely because more of the cacao flavors were detectable. (Less sugar generally results in more complex underlying flavors shining through, as does less-alkalized cacao.) It was great to see this higher-percent cacao filled chocolate in the dark chocolate Godiva line-up.

Ingredients: Ingredients list for assortment box not separated by flavor. 

Allergen-related information: (May contain traces of milk and nuts.)

Butlers Irish Whiskey Milk and Dark Chocolate Truffles

Butlers Chocolates (founded by Marion Butler in 1932 and originally called Chez Nous Chocolates) has been making chocolates in Ireland since then, and is still family owned.

Aroma notes for today's spirited milk chocolate and dark chocolate truffles included: sweet whiskey and sweet milk and/or dark chocolate.

The texture for the relatively thick (outer) dark and/or milk chocolate shells surrounding the softer chocolate centers was smooth and creamy. And the sweet, mellow, Irish whiskey aroma and taste perfumed both milk and dark truffles and lightly lingered into the finish.

The Irish whiskey added some flavor depth and interest to these sweet, substantial chocolate truffles.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, invert sugar syrup, Irish whiskey (5%), sweetened condensed milk (milk, sugar), emulsifier (soya lecithin), natural flavoring. (Dark chocolate contains: 58% cocoa solids minimum. Milk chocolate contains: 32% cocoa solids minimum, 20% milk solids minimum).

Allergen-related information: Contains milk and soya. May contain traces of tree nuts. Alcohol by volume: 2.15%