Solkiki – Bourbon Smoked 64% Dark Vegan Milk

Description

This is how we know Solkiki: always vegan as a natural expression of their own ideals—but for them, that’s almost incidental. It’s about the chocolate, the cacao, and crafting the most delicious creations possible in a wide variety of ways. And in that, Bob & Iris are exceptionally skilled. Their many awards at various chocolate competitions are proof enough, but ultimately, that’s not the point—you simply have to taste it yourself and form your own opinion.

One of the techniques Solkiki has been using for quite some time is smoking chocolate. By working with different types of wood and methods, they influence the flavor of the chocolate—a beautiful technique (and still quite innovative) that gives the chocolate maker an extra dimension to create something special. Of course, you move a bit away from the pure cacao flavor—something is clearly added—but through experimentation, exciting combinations can emerge, as is certainly the case here with the Bourbon Smoked.

Solkiki first experimented with applewood, used for their vegan dark milk made with Gran Nativo cacao from Peru—a natural pairing given the fruity flavor notes, where the applewood complements beautifully. This time, they’ve chosen cacao from Costa Esmeraldas (Ecuador).

The makers say:

“Encouraged by our 2020 innovation award, won for Applewood smoking our tropical fruity Nativo 63%, we approached our recent Great Gold winner Esmeraldas 64 dark milk and smoked that as well. We tried a few techniques and approaches, and now offer a lightly smoked 64%. At first perhaps barely noticeable, later flavors seem to build the smoky undertone until it becomes unmistakable. Fine smoke? You got it!

This 64% coconut dark milk chocolate sits on the stronger side of the dark milk spectrum, yet remains very approachable—creamier and lighter than the dark versions made with cacao from Freddy Salazar’s Costa Esmeraldas farm, located about six miles inland in the cloud forests of northwest Ecuador. Made with coconut milk, but not overpowering—the coconut is delicately balanced against the chocolate notes and the biscuity, fruity flavors naturally present in this cacao.”

Flavor notes described by the makers: smoky, subtle bourbon, notes of spice.

Ingredients: cacao, cane sugar, cocoa butter, coconut milk (non-GMO), bourbon smoke.

Allergen note: may contain traces of soy, nuts, and gluten.

Because of the bourbon, we’ve placed this chocolate in the “drinks” category—though of course it contains no alcohol. It’s particularly suited for those who enjoy bourbon whisky notes and refined flavor combinations. It’s also interesting to compare it with the “regular” Costa Esmeraldas by Solkiki, or with their other smoked chocolates.

Everything Solkiki makes is vegan, so it’s naturally a great brand for anyone avoiding animal products (or reducing them). But don’t compare it to the vegan chocolates you sometimes find in supermarkets, which can taste flat—just vaguely of cacao with dominant coconut or soy notes. Solkiki’s chocolates are, above all, about flavor—and that’s exactly why we’re happy to offer them, in an ever-growing range.