Trader Joe's Organic Belgian Dark 72% cacao

Nice, clean chocolate taste, with a hint of vanilla. Low bitterness, but a pleasant cocoa aftertaste.  Not complex, but a solid experience. 7.2

Taza Chocolate Mexicano 70% cacao

Not a chocolate bar, but rather a disc. The label says it is made in a traditional Mexican style using Oaxacan stone mills. The disc is rich dark chocolate, but it has a rough texture that I assume is a result of the added cane sugar. This makes the chocolate better to chew than let melt in the mouth.  As it is chewed, the chocolate flavor burst out, possibly as a result of the sugar crystals that contribute to the rough texture. There's a fairly bitter aftertaste that develops as you chew.  No noticeable side-flavors.

The label also suggests that this disc could be "whisked into hot liquid" to make a chocolate drink. Perhaps this is the better way to consume this chocolate. 5.5

www.tazachocolate.com

Totally Chocolate ipd Volvo Dark Chocolate

Nicely made, with a crisp snap.  Rich cocoa flavor, with some nuttiness. Low in bitterness, with a gentle aftertaste.  6.8

When I was ordering some replacement trunk lid supports from my usual on-line Volvo parts dealer, ipd, I noticed they were offering a custom ipd dark chocolate bar.  Well, I had to have that!

It's a small bar, less than 2 ounces (the label lists no weight), but as I mentioned it's well made. The manufacturer is Totally Chocolate of Blaine Washington. They appear to specialize in these custom-made chocolate bars.  It's a good chocolate!


www.totallychocolate.com

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Dark

Heavy cocoa flavor, but not subtle about it.  Some bitterness, but not overpowering.  Pleasant aftertaste, but not very memorable. When chewed, the bitterness is reduced and the aftertaste is sweeter. 6.5

I picked this up in the Denver airport when changing planes.  I always keep my eye out for dark chocolate when traveling, as I'm sure to find a product I've not tasted before.

rmcf.com

Scharffen Berger Extra Dark 82% cacao

Very bitter taste underlaid by earthy notes. Some nuttiness, but it is overwhelmed by the bitterness. The after taste is less stark than the main experience. 5.9

Ritter Sport Ecuador Fine Extra Dark 71% Cocoa

Very strong chocolate flavor, somewhat bitter. This bar has the earthy undertones common in Ecuador chocolate. 6.8

www.ritter-sport.com

Sweetriot Organic 70% cacao

Clean, rich chocolate, low bitterness.  Cherry notes dominate.  7.4

sweetriot.com

I mentioned how the 1848 bar did not have a URL on it -- this on has a QR code on the back.  Maybe a little too much tech?