Theo Organic Pure Dark 70% cacao

This is a straightforward chocolate bar, not complex in flavor or bitterness. The bitterness is fairly mild, and the flavor is a roasted chocolate. Aftertaste is moderate in duration and strength. 7.0

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter
Organic

Monsoon Uganda Semuliki Forest 74% cacao

The first taste is mild but dry. There are fruit flavors as well, cherry and berry. The dry profile adds a toasty aspect to the experience. Aftertaste is also mild and dry. 8.0

I tasted another Monsoon bar about a year ago: Monsoon Tanzania Kokoa Kamili 77% cacao It is a good read.

Moka Origins Ghana Suhum 72% cacao

This bar is very rich in chocolate flavors. This, plus a bitterness which is a bit astringent, masks other flavors.The predominant note is earthy, but there is a toasty roasted flavor as well. 7.2

www.mokaorigins.com

Ingredients: Organic Cocoa Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter

This chocolate maker has invested a lot of heart and thought into their label, both the outside and the inside. In addition to the story of the growers in Ghana and details on the cacao's growing environment, a summary of the bean to bar manufacturing process is included. Much of this information is also available on the website linked above.

Valrhona Madagascar Manjari 64% cacao

In 2009 I reviewed this bar:

Valrhona Les Grands Crus Manjari Fresh and Tangy 64% cacao

It has new packaging, but otherwise the taste is the same -- very fruity and flavorful. I rated that bar an "8" and now I will update the rating to 8.6. 

You may notice that the label is discolored. This is not the fault of Valrhona. We have been wiping down the items we receive with alcohol, and that is causing some discoloration of the label for this bar and others. Hopefully we can stop doing that soon.

Valrhona Ecuador Alpaco 66% cacao

In 2010 I reviewed Valrhona's Alpaco bar:

Valrhona Les Grands Crus Alpaco "floral & oaky" 66% cacao

The review was fairly neutral on the bar, but Valrhona has repackaged the bar, so ten years later is a good time to take another look. 

The taste experience has a gently, fruity start, with some sweet floral notes, perhaps orange blossom. The aftertaste is smooth with an unassuming finish. The bar is quite enjoyable. 8.3

Mission Chocolate Brasil Fazenda Camboa 70% cacao

This bar has a sweet plum flavor in front of the cacao. The impact is gentle and has low bitterness. The cacao base stays through to the aftertaste. Overall, a delicious experience. 9.2

missionchocolate.com

The link above visits the "About Us" page of Mission Chocolate's webpage. The company makes its chocolate in Sao Paola, Brazil, but the chocolatier who created the bar has affiliation with our local craft chocolate maker, Dandelion Chocolate.

Castronovo Columbia Katansama 80% cacao

This bar has high cacao content, so it is no surprise that the taste is robust and bitter. This leads to a taste profile which is earthy, with mushrooms and game parts. The secondary tastes are roasted and a little smoky. The aftertaste is fairly short and clean for all of this. 8.8