Explorer Club #402: SPIRITS

Long weekends usually come with a drink in hand—or an entire cooler full. This collection offers an addition to the celebrations. Or maybe an alternative indulgence. The Spirits box traces the ritual of drink-making across cultures—from Mexican mezcal to Irish whiskey to Brazilian sugarcane juice distilled into cachaça. These aren’t flavoured novelties. They’re crafted by artisan chocolate makers working with local distillers, drawing on generations of craftsmanship, regional ingredients, and time-honoured technique. Call it a toast you can unwrap—a fitting tribute for Canada Day, where many traditions pour into the same celebration.

$39.12

$43.47

Explorer Club #402: SPIRITS

$39.12

$43.47

Baianí Caipirinha (w/ Cachaça & Lime Zest) 65%

Producer Country: Brazil
Cocoa: Brazil
Weight: 58 g

In this exotic bar, cocao nibs are infused with aged cachaça for 30 days, then dehydrated and blended with lime zest and cane sugar to create a vibrantly Brazilian character! The aroma of cachaça is immediately noticeable and blends beautifully into minty and almost bubblegum-like fruit notes. On the palate, the lime zest provides an intense citrus flavour, pops of tartness, and a subtle hint of bitterness that harmonizes beautifully with the semi-dark chocolate flavours and satisfyingly crunchy texture.

Nearynógs Old Fashioned 70%

Producer Country: Northern Ireland
Cocoa: Ecuador
Weight: 60 g

This bar evokes the essence of a classic Old Fashioned—without a hint of alcohol. Made with cocoa from Hacienda Limon in Ecuador, it channels the cocktail’s elegant complexity by blending Irish whiskey with bright, candied orange peel and burnt sugar. The rich, fruity flavours of the 70% cacao meld seamlessly with the zesty citrus, creating a fresh, vibrant balance. The burnt sugar softens the deep, intense cocoa profile, rounding out the experience. It’s a smooth, indulgent chocolate that captures the spirit of the classic cocktail, but in a more accessible and endlessly enjoyable form.

Metiche Soconusco w/ Mezcal 70%

Producer Country: Mexico
Cocoa: Mexico
Weight: 70 g

This super complex chocolate was made by soaking the nibs in mezcal for a month. I'm not familiar with brand used - Legendario Domingo Espadín Joven, from Oaxaca - but it's clearly good stuff! Combined with the chocolate, it creates an Imperial Stout-like combination of smoke, coffee, hops, rosemary, and anise, as well as Belgian Ale-like notes of clove, ginger, apricot and malt. It’s super complex, ultra delicious, and has a dry, firm texture that makes a perfect 'snap' when broken off. How do you say “wow” in Spanish?!