Sourced from Guatemala, this bar is a good reminder of just how much cacao flavour can vary even between neighbouring regions. Earthy notes lead the way here, wrapped in tobacco, molasses and woody undertones — a noticeably different profile from nearby Honduran cacao.
The chocolate is slow to open up, almost reluctant at first, before revealing a shifting medley of coffee, brown sugar, tobacco, plum and prune, all set against that earthy base. It’s a complex, layered melt rather than an immediate one.
The finish brightens things considerably, moving into honey and yellow fruit notes before a fleeting stone fruit aftertaste vanishes almost as quickly as it arrives — a satisfying contrast to the darker, earthier character that precedes it.
Overall Rating: 7 out of 10