This is kind of a fun sauce, in a way. Taken by itself, it is reminiscent of a not-as-tasty Pico Pica, but it exists to really serve one purpose. Let's take a quick Japanese lesson before we get to that.If you've spent any time with my Yelp reviews or happen to know me personally, you know that Asian in general and in particular, Japanese food, plays a pretty substantial role in my diet and I have an inordinate fondness in general for it. So, "Ichimi" is indicative of a single flavor, while "Shichimi" relates to seven flavors. "Togarishi" means basically hot/spicy red pepper. So, the name itself is more or less "Seven Flavors Spicy Red Pepper" hot sauce. Here, they are using Japones peppers for this facet. The shichimi togarishi flavoring style is very common in Japanese cuisine, but it is interesting that Private Selection would attempt to float this sauce, as typically this is seen as a dried spice mix.
It is very narrowly - and specifically - meant to complement one style of food, that being Japanese and even more narrowly, to one facet of that, being the unami. Unami is obviously a very potent factor and force in nearly all Japanese cooking, but the choice to make a sauce catering in this manner is both brave and curious.
I will say they hit their mark correctly. This sauce flatly does not work in anything other than Japanese food and tends to conflict to varying degrees if attempted outside of that. If, however, you are a poor college student, say, or otherwise prone to eating ramen noodles or if you're a big fan of Japanese food in general, but want some choice flavoring and modest heat, this is it. This can literally transform the garbage noodles you see on the grocery store shelves from something to get through so you can avoid the distraction of hunger pangs to a meal approaching both satisfying and tasty and that is truly saying something.
Bottom line: For a sauce that is meant to do one thing, it succeeds in that task remarkably well. If you're a big fan of Japanese or even Japanese-style food, this is well worth your attention.
Breakdown:
Heat level: 4
Flavor: 7
Flexibility: 2
Enjoyment to dollar factor: 10
Overall: 6
