Tabasco Sriracha Sauce Review: A Miss on Flavor and Heat

Hey there, hot sauce enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into the spicy world of Sriracha Sauce, but not just any Sriracha – we’re talking about the Tabasco brand’s take on this fiery condiment. Ever since the Huy Fong Sriracha shortage hit us, it’s like a Sriracha renaissance at the grocery stores. Among the myriad of options, Tabasco’s version caught my eye, and I just had to give it a whirl.

Now, I’ll be straight with you – it’s not the Huy Fong we’ve all come to know and love. But hey, that doesn’t mean it didn’t have its moments. Let’s break it down and see how it stacks up.

Introducing: Sriracha Sauce by Tabasco

When we talk hot sauce royalty, Tabasco is a name that needs no introduction. This brand has been spicing up our lives since forever, it seems. Rooted deep in tradition, these folks have been crafting their fiery concoctions on Avery Island, a spot as legendary as the sauces themselves. Known for their iconic red sauce that’s found a home on tables worldwide, Tabasco decided to throw their hat into the Sriracha ring. They’ve taken their mastery of heat and tried to blend it with the rich, garlicky goodness that Sriracha fans crave.

So, what’s the deal with Tabasco’s take on Sriracha? Picture this: a mix between that garlicky ketchup vibe and the classic Tabasco punch. That’s what we’re working with here. The sauce is brewed up with red jalapeños, a hefty dose of garlic, and a splash of that signature Tabasco pepper sauce. On paper, it sounds like it should be my next go-to. But let’s just say, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all doom and gloom. For around 5 bucks CAD, you’re getting a 256mL bottle of this stuff. That’s a bargain, especially in today’s hot sauce market. But the big question looms – is it really worth your cash? We’ll dig deeper into that, but for now, let’s just say my taste buds were left a bit puzzled.

Manufacturer: Tabasco Brands
Made In: USA
Heat Rating: 2/10
Size: 256mL
Price Range: $5CAD
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Ingredients: Red Jalapeno peppers, Water, Sugar, Salt, Garlic, White Vinegar, Xanthan Gum, Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Red Pepper, Salt)

Appearance

Let’s shift gears and talk about something that Tabasco absolutely nailed – the presentation. This Sriracha sauce bottle doesn’t just sit on your shelf; it practically struts. The 256mL plastic vessel comes decked out with a gold squeeze nozzle that screams class. And the neck? It’s got these ridged or fluted details that add just the right touch of elegance.

But it doesn’t stop at fancy nozzles and necks. The label is top-notch, featuring the iconic Tabasco diamond logo front and center, making it clear you’re not just getting any hot sauce. You’re getting a piece of the Tabasco legacy.

Crack open the bottle, and you’re greeted by a sauce that’s a dark, rusty red. It’s smooth, with no seeds or bits floating around – a pure, homogenous blend that hints at its quality. The consistency is just right: thick enough to stick to your food like a loyal friend but fluid enough to pour easily from that gold-topped nozzle. So far, no clogs, no mess – it’s like the mustard or ketchup of hot sauces, but with a regal twist.

Smell

Now, let’s take a moment to talk about the aroma of Tabasco’s Sriracha. When you pop open the bottle, expecting to be hit with the bold scents of garlic, peppers, or that tangy fermentation vibe, you might find yourself pausing. The scent that wafts out is more on the dark and musty side. And no, we’re not talking old library books or forgotten attics here; it’s nothing off-putting or moldy (I double-checked to be sure).

It’s an interesting scent profile, honestly. It doesn’t scream “bad,” but it doesn’t exactly invite you in with open arms either. It’s more neutral, leaning towards the unremarkable. There’s a hint of something that could be preservative-like, even though the label proudly states there’s none of that in here. Dig a little deeper, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll catch a faint whisper of something savory with a tangy edge to it. But let’s be real – it’s subtle. Very subtle.

Taste and Flavour

Alright, folks, brace yourselves – we’re diving into the taste territory, and this is where our journey with Tabasco’s Sriracha gets a bit rocky. From the get-go, the flavor hits you with a sharpness that’s, well, a bit of a shock to the system. It’s got that vibe of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate being front and center, even though you’d hope they’d be chilling in the background, if at all noticeable.

Then comes the vinegar – oh, the vinegar. It barges in almost immediately, dominating the palate with its tangy presence. It’s like the sauce is more about showcasing vinegar than anything else, which, for a Sriracha, is a bit of a letdown. And let’s not forget the salt. It’s like a salt bomb went off in the sauce, overshadowing the subtle hints of garlic and pepper that you might catch if you really pay attention.

The kicker? It tastes like it’s been mixed with Tabasco’s original sauce (it has), which explains the overpowering vinegar tang. It’s as if the sauce is having an identity crisis, unsure if it wants to be a Sriracha or stick to its Tabasco roots. For me, this was a deal-breaker.

The taste just didn’t do it for me, leaving a lot to be desired. In the world of hot sauces, where flavors should dance and sing, this one unfortunately missed the mark.

Heat Level

Now, let’s talk heat – or, in the case of Tabasco’s Sriracha, the lack thereof. If you’re coming into this expecting the kind of warmth that lights up your taste buds and adds a zesty kick to your meals, you might want to temper those expectations. On my personal heat scale, this sauce barely makes a blip, scraping in at a 2 out of 10. The only reason it’s not sitting at a lonely one is thanks to the extra tang from the vinegar, which tries its best to amp up the heat impression, but let’s be honest, it’s not doing much.

For a brand that’s capable of making me reach for a napkin to dab the sweat when I go heavy on their original sauce, this Sriracha variant is surprisingly tame. We’re talking barely-there tingle on the tongue level of heat. No capsaicin rush, no added warmth to my meal, just a flatline where the thrill of heat should be.

It’s odd, really, because when you hear Tabasco and Sriracha in the same sentence, you’d expect a fiery fusion that challenges your heat tolerance in the best way. Unfortunately, this Tabasco Sriracha was a swing and a miss in the heat department. For those of us who look to hot sauce to add not just flavor but a bit of excitement to our food, this one was a letdown.

Conclusion: Overall Thoughts

To sum it up, Tabasco’s foray into the Sriracha scene was a swing and a miss for me. The blend of their original sauce with an attempt at Sriracha resulted in a concoction that’s heavy on vinegar and sharpness, but light on everything else that makes a hot sauce great. The texture and appearance? Sure, they get points for effort – the sauce looks good and has the right pourability. But when it comes down to what really matters – flavor and heat – it’s a letdown.

The taste veers too far into the acidic, overshadowing any subtle flavors that might have saved it. And the heat? It’s practically non-existent, leaving spice lovers searching for the burn. It’s priced right, making it a low-risk trial for the curious or the die-hard Tabasco fans out there. But from one hot sauce aficionado to another, this wasn’t a winner in my book. If you’re after a Sriracha sauce that packs flavor and heat, you might want to keep looking.

Please remember that taste is subjective and everyone will experience hot sauce uniquely. These reviews contain my own thoughts and opinions. If you think you’ll enjoy a hot sauce then you should definitely try it out.