This single-origin bar from Vietnam is clean, smooth and velvety, with a purple-mahogany hue and a satisfying, sharp snap. The cacao leads immediately — deeply roasted, fudgy and pleasantly pungent, with only mild sweetness for its percentage and no bitterness, acidity or astringency to distract from it.
The spices are genuinely fragrant, leaning more towards nutmeg than cinnamon, with classic winter warmth throughout. They hold their own well against the strong cacao character, landing at roughly a middling balance in the chocolate’s favour rather than being overpowered.
Texture-wise, the bar stays firm through the first few chews before melting nicely towards the end. This is a chocolate built for intensity rather than snacking — a couple of pieces feels genuinely satisfying, making it one for those who want a strong, spiced cacao hit rather than an easy, moreish bar. Other chocolate makers might have approached this style of bar with a little more subtlety.
Overall Rating: 6 out of 10