Snake and Butterfly Madagascar 67% cocoa

This is a classic Madagascar bar, with bright citrus flavors. The aftertaste is clean, though there's a slight bitterness on the way to the finale. At 67% cocoa content, the taste is a little softer than the more common 70% bars. 8.5

I mentioned tapering in the corner of the Venuzuela bar, and this bar also has a little tapering at one end. Interesting!

Snake And Butterfly Venezeula 76% cocoa

Interesting flavors -- citrus and cherry.  But there is a lingering bitterness throughout the experience, including in the aftertaste.  7.9

The bar I tasted was tapered in only one corner -- I wondered whether it had been damaged, but it looked like it was molded that way.  The bar had swirls on the bottom, presumably from the pour into the mold.  The company's website says that the bars are hand-poured.

This is another local chocolate maker, located in Campbell, California.

SnakeandButterfly.com

Dandelion Madagascar 70% cacao

This is a classic Madagascar bar -- fruity and tart, some cherry flavor.  Well made, crisp snap when pieces are broken off.  The flavors give the bar a sweet aftertaste.  8.8

www.dadelionchocolate.com

Fearless Raw Organic Dark Midnight 75% cacao

Clean taste, very rich chocolate. An almost root beer flavor in the background. Some bitterness, but it fades fast in the aftertaste. Some small nibs are exposed when the chocolate fully melts. 7.4

www.fearlesschocolate.com