Peru Nacional 80%
by The Chocolate Tree
Impact
Already in its young life, The Chocolate Tree (TCT) in Scotland has stacked up several firsts with its bars from Madagascar -- 100% & the Unroasted.
And now another: the first to scale the 80% Class with Peru Nacional.
About time.
This site begged for such long ago -- like for 3 years (seems like, so… OMG, ancient). Finally a barsmith heeds the call… only to remind 'beware what you wish for'.
A bar that from start to finish warps into a reverse time-lapse to end up back at Ness of Bogdar, Scotland -- the Neolithic era circa 3,300BC. Sealed with what appears to be a talisman (click image at right to enlarge).
BC? Yeah, like, Before Chocolate.
And now another: the first to scale the 80% Class with Peru Nacional.
About time.
This site begged for such long ago -- like for 3 years (seems like, so… OMG, ancient). Finally a barsmith heeds the call… only to remind 'beware what you wish for'.
A bar that from start to finish warps into a reverse time-lapse to end up back at Ness of Bogdar, Scotland -- the Neolithic era circa 3,300BC. Sealed with what appears to be a talisman (click image at right to enlarge).
BC? Yeah, like, Before Chocolate.
Appearance 4.4 / 5
| Color: | light claret |
| Surface: | imperfect by The Chocolate Tree standards (bubbles & divots); still, a paragon for most other barsmiths |
| Temper: | fudge veneer |
| Snap: | lyricism unbound |
Aroma 6.9 / 10
a whiff at odds with itself… some good / some bad, take a pick:
vinegar 'n manure
wet dog with a caramel heel
tea rubbing up against flint stone to spark the tomato-likeness of cocona
sheesh… intriguing
vinegar 'n manure
wet dog with a caramel heel
tea rubbing up against flint stone to spark the tomato-likeness of cocona
sheesh… intriguing
Mouthfeel 13.3 / 15
| Texture: | undifferentiated |
| Melt: | surprisingly patient |
Flavor 39.6 / 50
chocolate fudge, brownie, hash (so far, all good) -> Oreo® sandwich (a bit pedestrian & a consequence of over-roasting) -> thin colloidal silver ('interesting' to use a term on the List of Banned Words) -> licorice (alright) -> bitter coffee (an assault on the senses) -> the now-hallmark treacle that accentuates recent harvests from Marañón -> some heavy grip post-stringency (arrgh)
Quality 15.2 / 20
Unrecognizable as Peru Nacional; some of that attributable to the 80% weight.
The good - bad - ugly:
Overprocessed; too much heat & friction throughout exemplified in the Texture, outstanding such as it is but out of character for the type. The duration of the melt (slower than usual), the body (greater tissue) & quality (of density) suggest over crystallization either at the refining &/or tempering stage(s). Despite all the processing, considerable astringent residues mar the back end, pointing to some affects in the post-harvest at the source in Peru.
A bar requiring more time on the drawing board.
INGREDIENTS: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter
Reviewed April 1, 2014
The good - bad - ugly:
-- the highest CQ of any Marañón Canyon Nacional to date with core basal cocoa (a strong front runner that, alas, loses stamina midway & veers off track, thereby losing integrity)TCT acknowledges the temperamental nature of this diva, compounded by some challenger ferments.
-- that CQ swaps out delicate esters so prized from this varietal
-- a generally deteriorating final trimester which descends into a bog of sickly sweeteners, burnt coffee grounds, & a corrosive undoing
Overprocessed; too much heat & friction throughout exemplified in the Texture, outstanding such as it is but out of character for the type. The duration of the melt (slower than usual), the body (greater tissue) & quality (of density) suggest over crystallization either at the refining &/or tempering stage(s). Despite all the processing, considerable astringent residues mar the back end, pointing to some affects in the post-harvest at the source in Peru.
A bar requiring more time on the drawing board.
INGREDIENTS: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter
Reviewed April 1, 2014