Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Bourbon Caramel

Ghirardelli recently introduced a new variety of chocolate square; Dark Chocolate Bourbon Caramel. Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, I think this is another example of “sounds better than it is”.

Of course, I had an expectation of bourbon! I knew this chocolate wouldn’t be filled with alcohol, but certainly there would be a recognizable bourbon flavor, right? I like bourbon and have a fairly knowledgeable palate about it. There is definitely an additional flavor in the caramel, but I wouldn’t call it bourbon.

A little trick I like to do sometimes during my tastings is to add the power of suggestion. I tried to think of bourbon while tasting this chocolate to see if I could find the flavor, but I still couldn’t.

The filling is delicate, smooth and looks like caramel, but it’s a mystery flavor for me and hard to describe. There’s a lack of standard caramel flavor because I’m unable to taste the usual buttery or toffee notes.

I was hoping there would be a pleasant caramel taste up front with a warm bourbon finish. That’s not what happened.

I do like the dark chocolate combination with the mystery caramel flavor because it keeps the sweetness level to a tolerable level. And the chocolate, along with the “filling that cannot not be identified,” is a tasty confection overall.

I would never discourage anyone from trying a new chocolate flavor, so I still recommend that you try it. If you have a different opinion than mine, please share. I’d love to know what you think!

Want to get your hands on a package? Here's a link to it on Amazon.

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Bryn Kirk

8 thoughts on “Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Bourbon Caramel

  1. avatar Chuckee

    Please bring the Bourbon caramel dark chocolate’s back!!! Love them. Not sure about some of the comments or the people posting them, but come on, ‘tastes like spoiled produce’ 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️. I have ate some nasty old chocolates/caramels & never have they tasted like spoiled produce.

     
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  2. avatar Robert Barnsmell

    Totally disagree with the other reviews. I not only thought they were delicious as chocolates, but that the bourbon flavor was very good and very accurate. I had everyone at the barn where I board my horse taste them, and they all agreed about the bourbon flavor. I then brought them to a monthly whiskey tasting that I go to, and all 10 of the regular participants, as well as the organizer (who is very knowledgeable about whiskeys) thought they were great, and thought the bourbon flavor was excellent.

     
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  3. avatar Ann

    I am reviewing this product because I saw white powdery stuff on top and thought it had a mildew taste. Can someone tell me if that white stuff is normal

     
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  4. avatar Kelly

    I think ya’ll should have taken a better look at the image on the bag. The flavor you’re not getting a grasp on is wood. I believe it’s supposed to be barrel aged bourbon.

     
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  5. avatar Liz

    I also purchased these chocolates when they were on sale. I usually enjoy Ghirardelli chocolates and thought the flavor combination sounded interesting. When my husband and I tasted them we found the flavor combination to be lacking as they almost seemed to contain a slightly sour taste, which was a little off putting. I would not buy them again but don’t wish to deter anyone else from at least giving them a try. I usually purchase the dark chocolate and sea salt caramel flavor which are a personal favorite.

     
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  6. avatar Kay

    I bought this flavor because it was on sale even though I don’t like the taste of bourbon and it definitely tastes better than it sounds. There is no bourbon flavor at all.

     
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