Ingredients:
Teriyaki Sauce, Rice Wine Vinegar, Ghost Pepper, Garlic, Ginger, and Honey
Let me start off by saying that I typically don’t eat a lot of food with Asian sauces especially teriyaki sauce. But, as I was looking through the lineup of sauces that WCS makes, this sauce perked my curiosity. I thought to myself that I couldn’t remember a time where I had a sauce that it’s base was teriyaki. So, I had to try it.
Just like the other sauces that WCS sells, the label for this sauce is the same as the other sauces except for the change of name and the ingredients list. It has the really cool-looking ,”hand-drawn” cactus with fire coming from the bottom along with the mountains with a rising sun in the background. I like the use of a uniform label system. Many people buy the sauce for the label and they usually get dissatisfied in the end. WCS’s sauces speak for themselves. So, they don’t need to use gimmicky or over the top labels.
As far as the aroma of this sauce goes, I really didn’t find it too appetizing. I couldn’t pinpoint down what exactly that I was smelling that I didn’t like. But, it reminded me of Ol’ Roy Dog Treats(sorry guys). But, I don’t judge a sauce by it’s smell. I note it, but it doesn’t hinder my review.
What I really like about WCN”s line is that in every sauce they make, you can see substantial pieces of ingredients. This sauce was no exception. Although, maybe the pieces weren’t so evident like the other sauces. It’s consistency is super thin. I’m not a fan of restrictors. But, this sauce needs one unless you plan on using it up in one or two uses.
Tastewise, It taste like teriyaki with a spicy sweet kick. I could definitely taste the first three ingredients with lesser amounts of garlic and ghost pepper in the mix. I also tasted the honey that was used to sweeten the sauce up. I used this when I cooked up some rib tips. It gave it the tips a good combo of sweet and salty with a heat that is noticeable. I suggest using this as a cooking sauce with chicken, pork, or fish. You could also use it to splash on any stir-fry.
Heatwise, it’s middle of the road. It doesn’t have a overbearing burn. But, it is noticeable and someone that isn’t really use to hot foods might think it’s hotter. As a testament to the heat of this sauce, after eating the rib tips cooked in this sauce, I gave my fiancee a kiss and her lips were burning afterward. Haha. So, please, if you are not use to eating hot foods(especially those with ghost pepper in it), proceed with caution.
Overall, I was middle of the road on this sauce. It definitely has a leg up on traditional teriyaki with it’s sweeter and spicier taste. If teriyaki is your thing, please give it a shot. If you don’t, but still want a ghost pepper sauce from WCS, try Aliento Del Diablo.
Website: www.wickedcactussauce.com
