Dead Mouth Heat
5 / 10
Dead Mouth Flavor
7 / 10
JOHNNY HEXBURG CHOCOLATE HABENERO
My first taste of South African hot sauce is this Chocolate Habanero blend. This sauce smells strikingly similar to soy sauce when poured, giving it a salty, mildly sweet, and somewhat earthy scent. The first taste mimics the smell, resembling soy sauce initially. The chocolate habanero adds an interesting sweetness, mixing with the sugar to tame the heat initially, allowing for a full experience of the pepper’s flavor without an extreme burn. Garlic and onion are paired nicely, helping to round out the salt and sweetness into a pleasantly classic hot sauce flavor. The heat from the habanero grows slightly through the tasting, building to a nice even burn. The linger is marked by a fair amount of salt, and a light garlic flavor.
Breakdown: It’s a bit too salty for me by itself, but it mixes very well with food and is excellent with stir fry or any rice dish.
Dead Mouth Heat: 5 of 10
Dead Mouth Flavor: 7 of 10
Dead Mouth Heat
5 / 10
Dead Mouth Flavor
9 / 10
JOHNNY HEXBURG HABENERO
Sweet heat is the first impression upon opening this bottle. Smells of fresh fruit mix nicely with a familiar habanero scent and a mild vinegar. The first taste is equally sweet and contains no immediate burn. Notes of fruit, possibly apple and plum, are present along with a definitive habanero flavor, but sugar keeps this burn at bay for a while. A very mild vinegar flavor is noticed on the second bite, but just enough to add a tangy twist. A medium amount of salt shows up in the linger, reminiscent of the signature flavor base. Habanero quietly builds in the background throughout the tasting experience, culminating with a nice and even burn at a medium heat level. Light garlic is noticed on the linger. This sauce has a wonderful consistency and adds a pleasant balance between the sweet and spicy flavors.
Breakdown: This is a fantastic hot sauce that will appeal to many people. The medium burn is hot, but approachable for all levels, and the fruit keeps it light enough to keep coming back for more!
Dead Mouth Heat: 5 of 10
Dead Mouth Flavor: 9 of 10
