Pleasure
by NewTree
Impact
NewTree makes big bars with messages that read off a New Age course curriculum (relax & unwind; invigorating…). The flake factor (somewhat) ends there. Once inside serious business tries to take over. This bar may have the complexity of a mid-90’s Ford Escort: basic, gets you there, but no zip. Still, a winning mix - Belgium reasserting itself.
Appearance 4.8 / 5
| Color: | deep dark umber |
| Surface: | beauty plate w/ medium refraction |
| Temper: | clean |
| Snap: | loud & clear….sharp & crisp |
Aroma 6.7 / 10
light carnauba & paraffin wax backed w/ soft wood, olive & Spring earth
Mouthfeel 12.9 / 15
| Texture: | unwraps immaculately smooth, well-groomed & textured; hyper-processed/conched feel w/ desiccating cocoa powder back; is it the emulsifier or a well-trained roaster/concher’s hand? (could be both) |
| Melt: | good breeze & spread across the palate (may not be enough for dark side lovers) |
Flavor 39.9 / 50
dark midnight earth -> tobacco -> aged currants + blossom -> slight chemical sweetness (hyper-refined non-cane sugar?) -> soft olive & some floating cork for suggest of deep noted bitterness
Quality 15.8 / 20
Odd combo: pretty sweet for 73% (typical Belgian) + very bold chocolate flavor (unusual Belgian). Nice acid balance but just too little depth of roast. Not your geek’s chocolate. Instead, a well thought-out / constructed mid-range nosh with decent flavor.