The aroma is immediately distinctive with this chocolate, with pronounced notes of sweet coconut, accompanied by a distinctly perfumed floral character. I enjoyed these sweeter aromas even though they dominated initially, although the Filipino cacao eventually brings an underlying earthy depth, with a subtle touch of citrus.
I really enjoyed this bar from Askinosie, and there is a particularly thoughtful detail on the back of the wrapper that makes the experience more meaningful. The person pictured on the packaging is the actual farmer who grew the cacao used to make the chocolate. It is a simple but brilliant idea, creating a direct connection between the farmer and the finished bar, and making you appreciate the chocolate in your hands that little bit more.
The texture is exceptionally smooth. On the palate, the flavour develops in two quite distinct layers. Beneath the sweeter aromatic character is a deeper earthy and tannic quality, with noticeable astringency on the tongue, alongside citrus and floral notes that reminded me of violet and lavender.
What surprised me most was the acidity. As the chocolate melts, it develops a pronounced sourness that becomes one of its defining characteristics. It is an unusual transition, but an enjoyable one, and the sour burst was probably the most memorable aspect of the bar.
Despite this intensity, the Davo Philippines cacao, worked by Askinosie, never becomes sharply bitter. The roast character does, however, feel slightly too pronounced for my preference. Given the considerable acidity, I would have liked a little more sweetness to provide contrast and bring the different elements into better balance.
This is certainly a chocolate with its own distinct personality. The unusual combination of earthy cacao, floral aromatics and pronounced sourness makes it memorable, and the connection to the farmer on the wrapper adds another dimension to the experience.
Overall Rating: 8 out of 10