Cuor di Cacao 85%
by Venchi
Impact
Some chocolaters who walk the “dark side” believe brute force of flavors should decimate; that the 1,000 pound gorilla should just destroy. Venchi's craftsmanship sooths the savage beast, turning it into a tasmanian cub devil that curls up on the lap & purrs, then waltzes away to Fred Astaire.
Appearance 4.8 / 5
big, well thought-out / sectioned bar
big, well thought-out / sectioned bar
| Color: | dark ebony w/ warm garnet |
| Surface: | great finish |
| Temper: | light absorbing matte |
| Snap: | soft hush |
Aroma 8.6 / 10
reserved: Cuban Maduro, ebony, brandy, & currants
Mouthfeel 12.8 / 15
| Texture: | liquid powder |
| Melt: | smooth; had to check 2x to see this bar had soy as an emulsifier |
Flavor 38.8 / 50
heady bite of morels, espresso, mahogany, & cocoa + Dutch metal
Quality 17.5 / 20
Confident curing/fermentation, drying, roast, conche, & blend that’s as amenable as your granny who’s just split a blunt with you ("pass the Dutchy on the left hand side"). All the dark notes (+ metallic ones too) without any of the negatives associated with the Sith Lord’s side to business. Deep, soul-pleasing flavors & distance, ideal for a 1st date (too clean & syncopated for hard-edge, punch-fists-thru-the-wall-to-get-it-down freaks... never reaching the depths of, say, Lindt’s chest-thumping 85%). Despite the alkalis, this bar's got some woof in it.
Take the Exec Chef’s advice: shave over goat cheese & bitter greens or place under duck breast before roasting.
Take the Exec Chef’s advice: shave over goat cheese & bitter greens or place under duck breast before roasting.