Retsuko Rage
Note: Support video available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XhqE0VSwnw
There is a Japanese anime called Aggretsuko and it looks as if it would be a very cool show. I like the premise, like the character, generally like anime, but admittedly have not watched any of it, so I could be off-base. FYE is a former media concern that is making the shift away from things like movies and music towards pop culture stuff like figures, apparel, and edible items relative to various characters in the public consciousness. This is a sauce that, all the way down to the Iron Maiden-esque font on the label, seems to be an epitome of the character in her aggressive death metal phase and so naturally, it had my interest once I became aware it existed. From here follows a very long and sordid tale of a struggle to actually obtain it (the website sucks, you will have to go to a physical location, call first, but it is way, way, way worth it because the 8 oz. bottles I got cost me a hefty $3, making this perhaps the best value for any sauce I've done on this blog, ever), but once I did, I was cautiously optimistic.
Sometimes I can find references to who is actually producing the sauce, in this case, I could not, other than it appears to originate (possibly) from Canada somewhere. What we have here is a sauce with several peppers in it, with the hottest being Ghosties, and a definite push to remind people of the awesome power in flavor and in heat that pepper can deliver. Also appearing are a chili sauce (which I won't even begin to guess what that could conceivably mean), Habaneros, Peri-peris, and some Cayenne to boot.
At times, this reminds me of a fairly neutral and vague "chili" sweet-hot style and at times it reminds me a bit of actual BBQ sauce, but this is its own thing. The flavor is neutral enough to cover a very broad swath of food. In point of fact, I have not come across a food where I don't think it works, including both Asian AND Mexican, which is a rarity among rare stars to see. It is an absolutely delicious sauce though enough of the superhot bitterness will start to creep up a bit, so some judiciousness must be used if you're after flavor. It is a medium-thick sauce, so controlling the pour shouldn't be too much of an issue. If there is one minor caveat I have, it's in the vinegar. I do enjoy a good red wine vinegar lightly sprinkled on a sub sandwich, but I have yet to have a hot sauce where I found it was a welcome ingredien
Heat-wise, this one packs a pretty solid wallop. I was surprised by the charge here and the impish chilehead in me grins fiendishly thinking of all the unsuspecting fans who might buy this and actually use the sauce and get a mouth full of flames. I am absolutely delighted that this sauce works well for those who are just going to buy it and add it to their anime shrine display or whatever, as well as being a tasty enough sauce for those who are daring enough to actually get into it. I would say the heat is enough to be chilehead only. Also, this will be the first bottle I keep once the sauce is done. I really like what they did with it and I will also be adding it to one of my office displays. In a shocking twist, it is also in contention for Sauce Of The Year, which, I readily admit, kind of amazes me for what is marketed as a novelty sauce.
Bottom line: This is an absolute must, if you can get your hands on a bottle. Not only is it a delightful sauce, but it is a stunning value and absolutely great package.
Breakdown:
Heat level: 4
Flavor: 8
Flexibility: 10
Enjoyment to dollar factor: 10
Overall: 8
No comments:
Post a Comment