Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur

Appearance: Thick, opaque mid-brown. Exactly the colour of a bar of milk chocolate. Aroma: Milk chocolate, with just a hint of alcohol behind it. Taste and Texture: Sweet high-cocoa milk chocolate and alcohol. The texture is like chocolate sauce (this would be delicious over ice-cream). Exactly what makes a “double-chocolate” liqueur, given that there is no standard for chocolate content in liqueurs to start with? I’m being facetious, of course, as the implied meaning by the producer is just that this is very thick and chocolate-y, and it achieves that design goal. It’s pleasant and while there are no glaring faults or unpleasant flavours I have two issues with this liqueur. First, it is very simplistic in aroma and flavor. Chocolate is what it promises and that’s what you get, but the best chocolate liqueurs have subtle secondary flavours and aromas such as vanilla, hazelnut or almond. In comparison, this lacks depth and complexity. Second, there is a noticeable two-stage experience on the palate. You first get chocolate, and moments later a strong alcohol presence. The category leading chocolate liqueurs (Mozart Gold, for example) contain their alcohol well so you don’t notice it at all, but although this is just 1% higher in abv than Mozart Gold, the alcohol is obvious and a little harsh. Given that Mozart Gold is a better liqueur all round and considerably less expensive, I would not consider buying Dorda again. “Above Average” : 81/100 (3 stars)