The Machine Reviews: Blackstone’s Dragonhead Original Hot Sauce
The Machine is doing a solo review for 3 Blackstone hot sauces. The first two are the Original Dragonshead and the other is the Pub Style version. The 3rd, Vicious Vixen, will be posted in a week. Here is a little background from Blackstone owner, Jon Smith:
So where do I begin? Well, everything for me started when the recession hit, and I was forced out of the job I had for years. Hooray for cutbacks and downsizing. Yet on the brighter side of the street to coin a phrase, was one of the best turns in my life.
After a few weeks of trying to figure out what to do in a collapsing economy, and having no immediate prospects, I was a bit lost. Then one day not so different from any other, my 10 year old son comes to me and says that he wants us to compete in a Father and Son chili contest. Well long story short, we Win! Can you imagine that? Doors open, flood gates burst, and we are off to the show. Well after a couple of chili cook-offs and not much further success, and lots of money flying out the door I took a step back and tried to re-evaluate our new found passion.After some deliberation on the subject, I realized that pot after pot of chili I needed something to offset the cost of the ever increasing chili cook-off price tag. The natural coarse of thinking was to maybe have something a little extra for my chili to make me stand out. HOT SAUCE was my brilliant idea! After about 6 months of research and trial and error, and an endless stream of guinea pig volunteers, came the birth of Dragonshead Hot Sauce.
Dragonshead was made to compliment my chili, but deserved so much more. After a few suggestions to bottle it, I decided to try. A few labeling ideas later, and a couple of recipe fixes and some technique adjustments we think we have got it pretty close. I am not one to sit around being idle though. I do have quite a wonderful imagination for things, and before I know it, along comes Dragonshead Pub Style. Italian restaurants, and less than reputable, but often frequented, English styled pubs gave birth to this new sauce with a warm tomato base and a fiery kick from the Dragon. Think of a warm Brushetta bread (a local favorite of garlic bread with tomatoes and cheese) infused with a little Evil.
In short, the value of flavor or more importantly unique flavor is of the highest importance to me. Whether savory or sweet the flavor must ooze with a uniquely original taste profile.
Dragonhead Original
Dragonshead Pub Style
Blackstone’s
Email: jo******@bl*****************.com
Phone: 1-978-897-1911
www.blackstoneshotsauce.com
Facebook: CLICK ME
I have to strongly disagree with The Machine’s assessment of the Pub Style. I thought it had WAY too much of a dominant olive taste: http://www.scottrobertsweb.com/Review-Bites-Four-Hot-Sauce-Mini-Reviews
Steve, did you not taste this as well?
I tasted the olive but it wasn’t over bearing to me though.
Scott I happen to love EVOO lol its my favorite general oil. 🙂
I will admit that the olive for a hot sauce was not my first choice and i definately understand that not everyone likes olives but fortunately for those who do we now have a hot sauce.It was a bit of a leap to be sure.But to use non-traditional ingredients and succesfully combine them together with a touch of heat with both good and bad points is what we strive for.Anyone can create the same sauce with a new pepper and no thought behhind it other than i am the first to do this,but to actually try a combination of heat and flavors never combined together in a bottle,,is`nt that why we do what we do
maybe its only me but i am sure its not but great reviews guys thanks
I do love creativity, and I have to give you kudos for trying, Jon. But this sauce simply did not work for me. Sorry.
The olive taste is what I was most excited about. It really set this apart from other sauces. I thought it was the perfect amount. Nice sauce!
Thanks Derrick
I thought it different in a good way also. 🙂
How can you possibly dislike EVOO? 😯
It’s just a dark, bitter, fruity, off-putting taste of olives that taste funny to me in a cooking oil. I prefer the “cleaner” taste of a peanut oil or a standard vegetable oil.
R u ready for peppers soon jon?