Made of trinitario beans grown in Grenada, this bar was tempered and packed in 2005. The thick wrapper reminds me of a safari, between the labeling font and map, and the travelog inside written by someone supposedly traveling to the location where the beans originate. Upon opening, you are struck by the commanding cocoa aroma and the beautiful shine and dark color of the bar.

This is one of my favorite chocolate bars to just enjoy and I think for $0.93/oz. it is a real value. It breaks cleanly into bite-sized mounds and feels pleasantly dense when you bit into it. The flavors give a feeling of warmth, beginning with cooked milk and coffee, moving to cinnamon and vanilla, finishing with a faint peach taste. The balance of sweetness and cocoa is perfect, and the melt is divinely creamy and smooth. The flavor and experience lingers in your mouth longer than usual, leaving you very satisfied.

I highly recommend seeking out one of the Chocolatour bars which are available at Whole Foods Markets and Cost Plus World Market. This is a very straightforward chocolate that will please any fan of semisweet chocolate.

Maker Comments:

Made from Trinitarios, a cocoa bean variety that started near Grenada, this chocolate has hints of port wine in its aroma. On the palate, it starts with flavors of lightly roasted cocoa, transitions to vanilla and then hints of black walnut on the finish. Each vintage of Chocolatour is unique in its flavor profile. The overall flavor and the distinct flavor notes will continue to develop with time. Historically, the Grenada origin has developed the most flavor over time, so this might be one to age a while before eating.