Fruition Madagascar Sambirano 74% cacao

This bar rises to the expectation I have for Madagascar cacao. It is balanced with excellent texture, fruit flavors, and clean finish. The fruit notes are citrus and berry. The aftertaste is clean and brief. 9.4

20/20 Venezuela Mantuano 72% cacao

There is bitterness from start to finish standing out from this bar. Its edge comes from a roasted dimension which is somewhat smokey. The aftertaste is lengthy and bitter. 6.9

www.2020chocolates.com

Siamaya Thai 70% cacao

This is the first Thai chocolate maker and cacao origin on ChocoCheck. This bar has a spicy taste leaning towards cinnamon, and a slight balsamic underlay. This leads to a puckery aftertaste which is lengthy and bitter. 7.2

www.siamayachocolate.com

Two interesting aspects to this bar's label: The nutrition information is in Thai. With Google Translate I could understand it. Second, the label does not list a website for the company. Google Search came through with the link I posted above. 

The label indicates that the cacao is a "Thai Cacao Blend," but provides little additional information on the origin. Also in Thai is the Ingredients, which translates as:

Ingredients: Cacao nibs 65%, Organic Cane Sugar 30%, cacao butter 5%

Lastly in Thai, there is advice for the consumer: "Consume little and exercise for health"

Godavari India 73% cacao “Out in the Dark”

The flavors of this bar arise from roasted and herbaceous palettes. There is a touch of coffee and an element of spice cake. The bar is dense and melts slowly in the mouth. The aftertaste rings with the initial flavors, diminishing gradually. 8.8

www.godavarichocolate.com

Ara Nicaragua Maya Blanco 70% cacao

The prominent flavor palette for this bar is buttery, with toffee's edge. Bitterness is not excessive, though it is not diminutive. Aftertaste is moderate and some bitterness carries throughout the end-taste. 8.9

www.arachocolat.com

Astor Dark Chocolate “Las Vegas”

I am visiting Las Vegas this week and bought the bar in a hotel snack shop. This is a basic dark chocolate whose ingredients include vanilla flavoring, which excludes it from rating. That flavoring comes through strongly. Its texture is somewhat rough. The aftertaste is sweet.

Solstice India Anamalai 70% cacao

The prominent taste of this bar is a buttery, caramel flavor. There is also a faint floral dimension, along the lines of honey and orange blossom. The bitterness is mild and the aftertaste relatively brief. 9.0