As mentioned here (now with an improved photo because I finally got my lens back from my daughter).
So what have the last few days brought us?
Olive Chili Tapenade – I’m glad that this said “chili”, because I wasn’t 100% sure. A salty, smoked olive tapenade with just the slightest hint of heat, allowing that full olive roundness to work its way through your mouth.
Needs something suitably bland to give it a decent partner – I’d pair this one with some boerekaas and some crusty sourdough. 7/10, because it’s far more olive than chili (which might seem unfair, but I’m more of a chili fan than an olive fan).
Plasma – this is in the 4 sauce caddy with the Hot Sauce mentioned in the second link above. And it’s described as Hot to Very Hot. And this one was very warm. It’s not plasma like you get in the blood, it’s clearly named after the ultra high temperature state of matter of ionised atoms. With good reason.
There are two more sauces in that set. I’m slightly scared. 8/10, but only in very small amounts.
Garlic Pesto – I’m presuming that this is it. It’s the closest that I can find. This one had its work cut out. I’m not a fan of garlic (overt garlic, at least) or pesto. But actually, this had an almost p…p…p…prego feel to it. Not too garlicky, not too hot, tonnes (both metric and imperial) of smokiness, and actually really palatable. 7/10 (amazing considering the nomenclature).
Cowboy Candy – Not the long-awaited Netflix spin-off of Brokeback Mountain. It’s this.
Yes, yes, yes! I LOVED this. Definitely my favourite so far.
The Cowboy is a rich, smoky BBQ style sauce with big pieces of jalapeno; the Candy is the chunks of smoked pineapple offering a tangy, almost electric buzz around your tastebuds. This disappeared all too quickly. I’ll be arranging my post-advent order around a large jar of this and then heading home via the local World of Cheese store. 10/10 would recommend.
“Peaches” – Sounds innocuous enough. Actually not innocuous at all. NOT ONE BIT!
Ingredients: Habanero Peppers, Carolina Reaper Peppers, Peach, Vinegar, Salt, Spices.
Warning: Extremely Hot! Handle with care. Use sparingly and avoid contact with eyes or sensitive skin. Keep out of reach of children.
Absolutely lethal.
And actually quite sore at first, but given 5 minutes and a glass of milk, a more gentle, ongoing burn persists. The peach is probably there – there’s a hint of sweetness from somewhere. But wow. This is serious stuff. Maybe too much for me?
2/10 until I understood what was going on there (there was no warning with the advent calendar vial). But as a hot sauce (a very hot sauce), I’ll give it a full 9/10. Heat. Much, much heat. The longevity of the burn is quite something…
Caribbean Ghost – I can’t find this on the website, but I was at least able to take some heed of the second half of the name and not do anything foolish. Yes, the usual smoked chili – I’m understanding that an advent calendar is very unusual way to go through this sauces, which are largely tweaks around the same base, and that you’d usually just choose a favourite and stick with it – but HOT and with a rampant fruity component.
Mango. Citrus. Something else?
This one might be another that’s a bit too spicy for me, but the tanginess of the fruit is very enjoyable in the background. 7/10.
There will now be a(nother) short break in chili sauce reviews – watch this space for more news and – next week – more tales of spicy sauces. T&Cs apply.