a sample of Wen's truffles

Several weeks ago, I was there on an unrelated errand and Chef Will was kind enough to send me out the door with a Pandora - a marzipan truffle infused with nutmeg and cinnamon.

I tend to not like marzipan. It always seems dry and crumbly and shaped and painted into something that is supposed to look like fruit. More of a dessert garnish than actually something you may want to eat.

When I finally got around to eating my Pandora, I was overcome by the combination of subtle flavors, the creamy texture and the delicate lily pad of dark chocolate it rested on. I noticed that my arms were covered with goosebumps and I think there were tears in my eyes. I’d never had anything like it. And the most surprising part was that I had expected not to like it and it turned out to be maybe the single best thing I’d ever eaten.

Chef Will Poole is a master chocolatier who creates European style chocolates infused with the most amazing flavors. He finds inspiration everywhere. A quick look around his shop gives you a hint – absinthe, spices, herbs, flowers, fruit and tea all make an appearance in his delicacies. In addition, you might find some other bit of wonderfulness he’s whipped up sitting on the shelf, simply because he found it growing in the garden and decided it looked interesting. Chef Will is a true Renaissance man – lucky for us.

When I had the opportunity to review a few more of Chef Will’s creations, I jumped at the chance. If the Pandora was any indication, I knew I would be in for a treat. And Chef Will didn’t let me down.

The truffles are all made by hand using fresh ingredients and natural aromatics.  The care he puts into them is obvious. They are beautiful, creamy and delicious, with an unusual complexity. I was surprised how subtle some of the flavors were, with remarkable lingering after tones that sneak up on you well after the chocolate has melted away.

from top - Pandora, Violette and Rue Royal truffles

The Violette is Wen’s signature truffle. It’s a lush dark chocolate round topped with tiny bits of candied violets. It has a floral aroma, but it has a definite flavor of black tea. 

The Rue Royal  was maybe the most surprising of the bunch. It’s based on the 1870 cocktail of the same name, and is made with bitters, rye whiskey and absinthe. The combination sounds like something children and decent ladies shoud avoid, but this gorgeous milk chocolate confection is simply lovely.

The dainty pink feathered streaks brushed into the shiny oval top belie the grownup taste hiding inside. The flavors play together beautifully to create a sophisticated, addictive treat. Buy these for someone you want to impress.  

clockwise from left - Molotov Pineapple, Citrona and Pear Hazelnut

The Molotov Pineapple  is a shiny oval of dark chocolate covered with swirled ribbons of yellow and red.  With a fruity flavor, it tastes first of rum. As the ganagche melts away, a spicy note appears around the edges, leaving a gentle lingering trail of pepper.

The Citrona looks like a tiny square dark chocolate cupcake topped with bits of candied citrus. It has a silky texture with flavors that sneak up on you. At first it’s all chocolate, but as the ganache center melts away, a whiff of citrus and floral tastes bubble up, leaving a sensation of champagne induced lightness. 

The Pear Hazelnut truffle is a beautiful green cone of milk chocolate topped with tiny chocolate sprinkles. It looks like the chocolate will snap when you bite into it, but instead it’s soft and creamy, with a delicate flavor of pears and chocolate hazelnut ganache. After a fleeting taste , it’s silky on the tongue as it melts away completely. 

Overall, if I had to come up with just one word to describe Wen Chocolates, it would have to be: complex. Subtle, surprising flavors enrobed in beautifully finished truffles make Wen a winner all the way around.

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Wen Chocolates: European infused truffles

Cost: $1.90 each. Also available in boxes sets.

Available locally in Denver or online at Wen Chocolates