Well, this is the last 2021 DC Pen Show post. I’ve milked it for all it’s worth. But, it’s been fun taking a more in-depth look at my haul. I haven’t really done that before.
Brandon Lee of Modern Chocolatier is a bit of a fixture at the DC Pen Show, typically seen next to Ryan Krusac‘s table. This year, however, he was up near the entrance, which made it easier to make multiple visits.
Brandon had 20 flavors with him, and I ended up getting all but 2 — Curry Lime and Habanero.
While it will be a year (assuming COVID stop the world again) before I can have more, I’d like to share my thoughts on the various flavors. And it will serve as a good reminder for me to get my favorites next year.
I’m listing these in alphabetical order, for ease.
Apple Pie: I don’t know how he did it, but this was really apple pie in a chocolate! It was absolutely fantastic.
Birthday Cake: This reminded me of a funfetti cake pop in the best way.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: I didn’t exactly get Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, but it was really yummy.
French Roast: This was the perfect mix of chocolate and coffee.
Honey-Dark Chocolate: It was yummy. A bit on the “standard” side in comparison to some of the showstoppers, though.
Key Lime Pie: It was great. Tangy without being too much.
Lemon Ginger: I loved this one. It was herbally and sweeter than expected, but in a good way.
Make-a-Mark: It was good. A bead heavy on the bourbon for my taste, but I’m very sensitive to liquor.
Orange Cardamom: Another winner. This was surprising. It was delicious, and kind of “healthy” tasting.
Passionfruit: I don’t have words for this one beyond WOW! It was amazing.
Raspberry/Basil: Another unique one. Perhaps the best word to describe it is fresh.
Salted Caramel: It was good, but a bit too much salt on the top for me.
Salted Maple: YES!! This is the perfect balance between salt and sweet.
Scotch: Well, it’s definitely scotch. Too much scotch for me. I swear fumes went up my nose.
Single Origin Ghana-Milk: This was so smooth. A perfect milk chocolate.
Single Origin Madagascar-Dark: Definitely a dark chocolate, but not bitter. I wasn’t wowed by this one, most likely because I’m not a major dark chocolate fan.
Stout-Dark Chocolate: I didn’t taste the stout in this one, but that’s not a bad thing in my book.
Strawberry Lemonade: Very nice. I really got, and enjoyed, the lemonade, but I didn’t really taste the strawberry.
So there we go. A mini review on the 18 flavors I tried.
Assuming he still has them next year, I’ll be getting at least two each of the Key Lime Pie, Lemon Ginger, Orange Cardamom, Passionfruit, Raspberry/Basil, and Salted Maple.
Did you get any chocolates from Brandon? Which were your favorites? Let me know in the comments, and thanks for sticking with me through my 2021 DC Pen Show content.