Potomac Dominican Republic Duarte 70% cacao

Fairly bitter for a 70% bar. On the tart side too. Raisin and cherry flavors can be tasted. There is a lengthy aftertaste, but fairly clean. 8.4

Hummingbird Chocolate Dominican Republic Zorzal 70% cacao

This bar with a bird's name is very flavorful. Peach and cherry flavors are present, with moderate bitterness. The bar is well made, with a crisp snap and even texture. 9.6

hummingbirdchocolate.com

The label lists two awards won by this chocolate maker: Silver for 2015 (America) and 2016 (World) by the International Chocolate Awards. The inside label also has much information about the zorzal songbird, and chocolate making. Long live chocolate!

Omnom Tanzania 70% cacao

Delicious bar, with fruity flavors (cherry and berry).  Smooth cacao flavor throughout from start to finish. 9.7

9th & Larkin Tanzania Kokoa Kamili 72% cacao

Flavorful, with citrus and butterscotch flavors. Smooth and not bitter. Long lasting aftertaste, sweet but warm. 9.1

Ingredients: cacao beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter

www.9thandlarkin.com

This is our first taste of another local chocolate maker. Very nice product, well made and packaged. I will look forward to tasting other bars from 9th & Larkin.

Chocolove Organic 73% cocoa

The punch is back! I lamented about a lack of "punch" for the Chocolove Organic 61% bar, but the 73% bar does have a strong presence. It is fairly bitter, with solid cacao flavor. There is also toast and carrot flavors mixing in. The aftertaste is lengthy but not too bitter. 7.7

Also, the poem is back -- "Longing" but Matthew Arnold.

Dandelion Columbia Tumaco 70% cacao

Nice burst of flavors on first taste. With notes of  hazelnut and toast, the main flavor is a sweet maple. 9.4


Ingredients: cocoa beans & cane sugar

Ethereal Haiti 70% cacao

Fairly bitter. Tasting notes from the label says: Vanilla, Brown Sugar & Raisins. This is a fair characterization of this bar. Pretty surprising that there is a strong vanilla flavor, but the bar's ingredients do not include vanilla. The brown sugar and raisins flavors are also apropos. 7.8

Ingrdients: Cocoa Beans*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*
*organic ingredients

www.etherealconfections.com