I admit it- I am a chocoholic. I love the really dark, rich stuff and
have traveled the world in search of the best tasting pure dark
chocolate experience. I have read extensively about every make and
their histories on a plethora of chocoholic Internet sites, perused a
mountain of books and have spoken to chocolate lovers far and wide.
While I have derived great pleasure from my lifelong quest, I am still
not 100% satisfied. Each chocolate - and some very pricey ones at
that- gives me some pleasure but every one seems distinctly
lacking......something complete.
Although I know that this question is very subjective, can you point
me towards absolute perfection and bliss?

My favourite as far as dark chocolate goes has always been the french
Amer 85% the way they make it in Normandy france , however I would
have no clue where to buy this online , I know of a little shop there
where I go whenever I happen to be in the area (unfortunately not
often engough)

Rover --

I was going to tackle this by looking at some chocolate review
websites.  There are so many brands that I'll just link those
resources:
Cloister's Chocolate Reviews
http://www.hhhh.org/cloister/chocolate/reviews/

Moscow Food Co-op Review
http://www.moscowfood.coop/archive/chocolate.html

Seventypercent.com -- this is an astounding collection
http://www.seventypercent.com/chocop/bars.asp

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

To corwin02- I presume that you are referring to "Valrhona Noir Amer"?

To Omnivorous- I am familiar with these sites and the chocolate bars
mentioned in them.

Yes, there is a multitude of choices and tastes, and you seem to be
aware of most of them.  As to the question of best, that is truly a
subjective opinion, so let me just share with you my own 'best' and
leave official judgments to others.  Like you, I love the dark rich
stuff, and my particular favorite is "Dove" dark chocolate.  I've
found that many folks only know about "Dove" ice cream bars and don't
know the company also makes the silkiest, smoothest, richest, ahhhh
mmmmmmmm wonderful dark chocolate.  I never tasted it until I moved to
the South U.S. so maybe it's not available everywhere.  But now, with
the magic of the internet at our fingertips, it's not impossible to
find.  Here's a link to the Dove website, and I hope you enjoy the
sampling at least, and perhaps the path to a new favorite for you!  
http://storefinder.mmmars.com/dovechocolate/dove.htm  Have fun, happy
eating!  :)

paul newman dark chocolate is pretty good.

an order of refrigerated chocolate chunks from dairy queen, without
the ice cream is a current favorite- half dark half milk flavor, cold,
good.

also, try jagielky's if you are ever in ventnor newjersey during
season, if they still exist.

The best place I have ever had chocolate at was Van Otis in
Manchester, New Hampshire.  You can order the chocolate by going to
vanotis.com.  I am sure you will be pleased.  they make chocolate in
every form.  They can overnight it any where in the world!!

There are some excellent dark chocolates available in Japan. Have you
tried any of them?

If you read Japanese the following pages may be of some interest to you:

A famous boutique chocolate maker:
http://www.morozoff.co.jp/shop/chocolate.html

An extensive site on the history of chocolate, etc, it also contains
an exhaustive list of chocolate makers all around the world (and where
to buy their products in Japan):
http://homepage1.nifty.com/chocolatier/
There are links to many chocolate maker web sites.
Truly mouth-watering..

If you can't read Japanese, here are a few popular brands of
Japanese-made chocolate: Meiji (http://www.meiji.co.jp/), Morinaga
(http://www.morinaga.co.jp/) - my favourite mass-produced chocolate,
English translation available on the site, Fujiya
(http://www.fujiya-peko.co.jp/), Glico (http://www.glico.co.jp/),
Kabaya (http://www.kabaya.co.jp/), Kanebo
(http://www.kanebofoods.co.jp/goods/okasi/index.htm) and Lotte
(http://www.lotte.co.jp/).

Hoping this helps,

Giant Bird