NearyNogs Chocolate Makers - Old Fashioned (bar) - June 4, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

NearyNogs Chocolate Makers
Old Fashioned (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .706 oz. (20 g.) / 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in total bar
Calories: 109 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate, Spirits and Savory Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Old Fashioned 70% Dominican Republic (Zorzal) bar was crafted by NearyNogs Chocolate Makers* (Mourne Coast, Ireland), and was part of the company's Irish Collection--itself a nod to traditional Irish "songs and stories, on walks, in homes, pubs and now in a chocolate factory."

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, faint orange and even fainter sweet whiskey.

This bar had a smooth and satisfying texture and melt. The tiny crystals of burnt sugar embedded in the 70% dark chocolate were a fun and tasty touch.**

The flavors were thoughtfully balanced. The orange bitters (dried orange, bitters) and Irish Whiskey flavors were quite subtle, and seamlessly integrated with a smooth, but flavorful, (70%) dark chocolate base (that had true chocolate notes: dark fudge brownie with ground, roasted nibs). 

I suggest savoring this bar first, by itself, to appreciate the more subtle flavor nuances. Savory snacks (Irish cheddar, blue cheese, chips and savory nuts) followed today's chocolate.

Ingredients: "70% Organic Dominican Republic Chocolate (70% Organic Dominican Republic Chocolate (70% cacao beans and sugar), burnt sugar, dried orange, bitters, irish whiskey, cacao nibs"

Allergen-related information: None listed on packaging. (No common allergens listed in ingredients list.)

*"Neary" comes from a family name and "Nogs" is from Gaelic roots; and roughly translates into English as "the land of the youth, or the eternal land."

**"The old fashioned is a cocktail made by muddling sugar with bitters, adding whiskey and garnishing with a twist of orange rind. It is traditionally served in an old fashioned glass, which predated the cocktail."

Charbonnel et Walker - Dark Sea Salt Caramel Truffles - June 3, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Charbonnel et Walker 
Dark Sea Salt Caramel Truffles
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.26 oz. (26 g.) in total box of three truffles
Calories: 195 calories (estimate) in 3 chocolates/truffles
Cost: $10.95 for 1 box of 3 truffles
Purchased from: Charbonnel et Walker, online order

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

Today's Dark Sea Salt Caramel Truffles were from Charbonnel et Walker (London). Previously, truffles sampled from this historic chocolatier included four spirit-infused flavors: champagne, gin, rum and whisky. (No spirits today; but I did enjoy these with wine and cheese.) 

Aroma notes included: chocolate (cocoa).

The relatively thick outer dark chocolate shell was crunchy, the inner filling was creamy, and the entire truffle was chocolate-y (hot chocolate, drinking chocolate, chocolate mousse). The ganache (filling) also had a subtle salt caramel flavor.

These creamy, crunchy and chocolate-y truffles went well with wine and cheese(s); but would also have been good with savory nuts, sliced fruit, and a sip of salted mocha latte spiked with Amaretto.

Maker's description: " A beautiful mini-heart with three of our delicious Dark Chocolate Truffles with a Sea Salt Caramel center."

Note: There was also an ordering option to add a gift card with a personalized message.

Ingredients: Bittersweet chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa fat, soy lecithin), salted caramel (glucose syrup, sweetened condensed nonfat milk, palm kernel oil and palm oil (from a sustainable source), mono and diglycerides of fatty acids, sea salt), cocoa powder (cocoa powder, potassium carbonate).

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

  

Rimini - Banana-Rum and Salt Caramel chocolates - June 2, 2023

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Rimini
1.) Banana Rum - Good ++
2.) Maple-Bourbon - Good ++
3.) Salted Caramel - Good ++ - Good +++

Weight: 3 pieces out of a total 25-piece box
Calories: (No information; was a gift)
Cost: $ N/A - gift from family (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: N/A - Mother's Day gift

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate, Spirits and Savory Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Banana-Rum, Maple-Bourbon and Salted Caramel chocolates were from Rimini Chocolate (Colorado). 

After spending time in Rimini, Italy, owner and chocolatier Michael Schneider opened two Italian-inspired gelato and chocolate shops in Vail and Beaver Creek (CO) in the U.S.

Aroma notes for these chocolates included: faint chocolate, warm spice, salt caramel, and very faint spirits.

These attractive filled chocolates were skillfully executed with great blends of texture and taste. Flavor notes included rich, smooth dark/bittersweet chocolate and delicious soft, flowing salt caramel/ganache flavored centers. 

The Banana-Rum chocolate had subtle tropical fruit (banana) and faint salted butter rum flavoring. The Maple-Bourbon filled chocolate had faint, authentic maple and bourbon flavor notes. 

The centers were flavorful (and just a little bit salty). And the flavors were high-end, fresh and authentic.

Last, but not least was the Salted Caramel piece. I paired all of today's chocolates with a savory snack plate (homemade salted potato with cheeses, artichoke, savory almonds); but even so, the salt level in the Salted Caramel was very satisfying even on its own. A dark chocolate shell surrounded a beautifully silky salt caramel center. 

These were my kind of filled chocolates. They were well-executed, likely by a trained chef/chocolatier. The couverture thicknesses were just right (not too thick). Everything was well-balanced--smooth yet flavorful. Not too sweet; and well balanced with salt. And their elegant, hand "painted" appearance made them well-suited for gifts.

Ingredients: (Received as a gift; outside packaging/information had been removed.)

Allergen-related information: (May have contained milk.) (No information.) 

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.

 

Charbonnel et Walker - Blackwell Jamaican Rum Truffles - May 31, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Charbonnel et Walker 
Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum - Rum Truffles
Good ++
Weight: 1.38 oz. (39 g.) / 4.05 oz. (115 g.) in total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 3 chocolates/truffles
Cost: $28.00 for 1 box of 9 truffles
Purchased from: Charbonnel et Walker, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate, Spirits and Savory Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum - Rum Truffles were from Charbonnel et Walker (London). The company was established in 1875.

Aroma notes included: warm rum, brown sugar/honey, and chocolate.

The Rum Truffle centers had a buttery texture and melt, and were surrounded by a firmer, relatively thick dark chocolate shell. 

The smooth dark chocolate and rum flavors were harmonious and balanced, and had a slight natural, brown sugar/honey sweetness and booziness that extended into the finish. 

These Rum Truffles were enjoyed with salted nuts and blood orange (fresh fruit).

Maker's description: "...smooth Blackwell (tm) Rum Truffles in Fine Dark Chocolate. Blackwell (tm) Black Gold Fine Jamaican Rum..."

Ingredients: Dark chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa fat, soy lecithin), milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa fat, whole milk powder, unsweetened chocolate, soy lecithin, natural vanilla flavoring), butter (salt, milk), Blackwell (tm) Rum (4.6%), sugar, unsweetened chocolate, natural flavorings, soy lecithin, milk fat, fat reduced cocoa powder, dry whole milk. 

Allergen-related information: Contains milk and soy. May contain Tree nuts, Egg and Wheat.

Fruition Chocolate Works - Spiced Rum Dark Oko-Caribe 66% (bar) - May 30, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fruition Chocolate Works
Spiced Rum Oko-Caribe 66% (bar)

Good ++

Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Dominican Republic Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate, Spirits and Savory Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Spiced Rum Oko-Caribe 66% (bar) was created by Fruition Chocolate Works (Shokan, NY) at their workshop in the Catskill Mountains.

Maker's description: "This riff on our signature Dominican Republic Oko-Caribe dark chocolate is spiked with local Berkshire Mountain Distillers Ragged Mountain Rum and blended spices." (Cacao origin: Duarte, Dominican Republic; sourcing partner: Uncommon Cacao.)

Aroma notes for this spirited, 66% cacao dark bar included: sweet dark chocolate, caramel, sweet candy wax, warm spices, brown sugar and very faint rum.

This well-tempered chocolate broke with a hard snap. The melt and texture were smooth.

The overall taste was a softly undulating bouquet of balanced sweet, spiced rum punch and dark chocolate flavors that lingered into the finish.

The rum provided a naturally sweet, mellow, aged backdrop, without being boozy; and the subtle but intriguing spice blend infused the 66% chocolate with a warm, spiced rum flavor.

Today's chocolate was enjoyed with a savory snack plate that included: red grapes, Smokey Pepper Fontal Cheese, and savory, roasted almonds

Ingredients: Cocoa beans*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, rum, cinnamon, vanilla bean, cardamom, nutmeg, star anise, ginger, black pepper, pineapple essential oil. (* Organic)

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, eggs, soy, sesame."

Nibble Chocolate - Dominican Republic 85% (bar) - May 29, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Nibble Chocolate
Dominican Republic 85% Cocoa bar
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .575 oz. (16.25 g.) / 2.3 oz. (65 g.) ttl bar
Calories: 100 calories in 1/4 bar
Cost: $7.29 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Dominican Republic Theme Week.

Today's Dominican Republic 85% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Single Origin Trinitario* (bar) was made by Nibble Chocolate, LLC (San Diego, CA).

Aroma and flavor notes for this well-tempered, ultra-dark 85% chocolate included: dark roast cocoa/espresso, diffuse red and dried fruit, faint spice (molasses, black licorice); faint, fleeting wood/nut; and faint earth (loam).

Instead of making a 70% cacao bar (with more sugar to sweeten the bold, roasted single origin Trinitario cacao), Nibble Chocolate maker(s) chose (to their credit) to make an 85% cacao ultra-dark chocolate, with well-managed (potentially frisky) fruit acidity and bitterness. 

If "nibbled" (savored slowly) as the maker suggests, tasting this bar will unfold like a journey through a deep, dark complex rainforest with occasional shafts of beautiful sunlight and opportunities to taste rare, hidden dark/dried fruits.

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans, organic whole unrefined cane sugar

Allergen-related information: "Processed in shared equipment with products containing nuts."

*Trinitario (thought to originate in Trinidad, and to be a cross between Criollo and Forastero cacaos) is a variety of cacao that is bolder than delicate heritage (Criollo) variety/ies, and often has (slightly acidic) fruit and light spice and earth notes. However, it is generally less "dark" and dense than Forastero cacao varieties. 

There are many varieties (and hybrids) of cacao, but the three varieties mentioned here tend to be featured often.