Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters

Rating: 21/23 I was seeking chocolate bitters but was steered toward these "Aztec" chocolate bitters, so I decided to try them. I'm uncertain if they will precisely meet my needs, but I'm confident I'll find a purpose for them. These are absolutely incredible! They bring so much richness, subtlety, and indulgence to a cocktail. Simply amazing. Angostura is already fantastic, but these have elevated the standard significantly. I'm not sure. I've spent months examining this and comparing it to other bitters. I believe it surpasses even the excellent Angostura (19/23). It's difficult to categorize, but I lean towards giving it a 21. It's not so groundbreaking that I'd consider a 23, but it's so excellent in most situations and adds such delicious indulgence that I think it edges out Angostura. A 22 could be plausible, but a score lower than 21 is also conceivable. So, a 21 feels appropriate. As a final observation, the low ABV is surprising. This is neither positive nor negative, just noteworthy. I love this, but clearly, it's meant for cocktails only. Many things are best suited for cocktails, so a low ABV doesn't cause issues, especially given its impactful flavor. Ultimately, I'm settling on a 21. It's wonderful.

I possess numerous bitters, likely an excessive amount, and chocolate bitters are one I have a considerable quantity of. These were among my initial purchases, and while they are adequate, I find them lacking when contrasted with others (Scrappy's, Bitter Truth, Bittermens, etc.). My primary criticism is that they taste too artificial and lack any genuine bitterness. They function acceptably as a flavoring, but if a recipe doesn't explicitly require these bitters, I refrain from using them as those cocktails tend to fall flat. The price is a significant advantage, so I'm sure many opt for them due to that reason, but I believe the aforementioned brands are worth the additional cost. You can even find chocolate bitters from Bitter Truth and Scrappy's in a package deal, often for just $20.

Artificial chocolate taste and a surprisingly strong black licorice note