Quick impressions of new sauces from Microsaucerie Piko Peppers, Butterfly Bakery of Vermont, and Queen Majesty
Hot Ones Season 26 Heat Pack quick impressions
With the release of a new season Hot Ones decided to go with some all-new sauces from a number of sauce makers. I decided to order the Heat Pack which has the position 6, 7, and 9 sauces because I really don’t need another bottle of Da Bomb or some of the other sauces that come in the full lineup.
These arrived last night and since I’m sure there’s a lot of interest for the new sauces I opened them up and tasted them straight as well as with some chicken tenders and a meatball sub.
Microsaucerie Piko Peppers Volkano – This is the first sauce I’ve tried from this brand but they’ve been on my radar. Using locally grown peppers this features fermented habaneros, roasted habaneros, and dried habanero powder. The flavor is very fresh and a great celebration of the habanero flavor. I get a little bit of the same effect as from El Yucateco XXX Mayan from the roasted ones as they add a great depth to the flavor while the fermented ones still taste fresh and lively. Quick sting of initial heat but it passes quickly, probably 4/10 when it comes to heat but amazing flavor and feels like it’s going to be super versatile. One of the best habanero sauces I’ve ever had. Highly recommend.
Butterfly Bakery of Vermont Hot House Hot Sauce – From my favorite sauce maker this one features Serranos, habaneros, reapers, ghosts, and carmen peppers which are a type of sweet pepper plus olive oil, lemon, and dill. The dill comes through in a big way, but with the lemon and pepper blend it doesn’t trend too far into a pickle sauce. Great pepper flavor as well as expected and a heat that sneaks up on you – very little heat up front but a building burn. I think this would be amazing on salmon and other fish and seafood with the dill and lemon elements. I’d say 5/10 in terms of heat but again great and unique flavor. Highly recommend as well.
Queen Majesty Sicilian Scorpion – When you smell this one you know you’re in for some pain, it smells of super hots and is absolutely brutal in heat. The only pepper used are scorpions, and I’m not sure where they’re sourcing them from but this is one of the hottest scorpion sauces I’ve tasted. Much hotter than Dave’s Scorpion or Tabasco Scorpion. This would give Torchbearer’s The Rapture a run for its money in terms of heat. In fact the heat is so intense on this one that it’s hard to taste the tomato, garlic, oregano, and basil. I’m hoping as I get used to this one those come through more. 9/10 heat, good flavor if you enjoy the flavor of Scorpion peppers because they’re by far the dominant flavor of this sauce. Recommended if you love pain, very deserving of the 9 spot and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is hotter than the Last Dab that’ll follow it at number 10.
by MagnusAlbusPater