Hot Sauce Finds: Shinedown’s Syndrome Chipotle Garlic Sauce from Torchbearer

Bottom Line: Shinedown’s Syndrome Chipotle Garlic Sauce from Torchbearer is rich and full-flavored and brings some heat.

The folks at Torchbearer Sauces are at it again, coming up with a new creation, this time in conjunction with the rock band Shinedown. I don’t know if the members of that group are the ones who developed this sauce because I can’t find much about the collaboration online, but whether they concocted it or are just lending their name, it is pretty darn good.

The sauce is very garlic-forward, followed by a peppery richness and a touch of sweetness. There is a bit of smokiness in there, and the mustard comes through to deliver a tangy finish. There also seems to be a slight metallic taste in the background, but nothing that ruins the flavors, and that may just be the particular bottle I got. This is definitely a bold sauce with a lot going on, certainly more complex than what you typically find on store shelves.

The heat sneaks up on you slowly, starting around Mild—not what you would expect from a sauce with habaneros—but then builds to the point that your whole mouth feels it, ultimately reaching closer to Medium on my scale. You don’t need a fire extinguisher nearby when you eat this, but you will definitely feel the burn along with a well-rounded flavor. Note that it has 40 calories per one-tablespoon serving, higher than most hot sauces, and that is largely because canola oil is the top ingredient.

On the website, they suggest using it with sandwiches, stews, or baked mac & cheese. I actually think it would make an excellent condiment for a hamburger or chicken sandwich, and you could also add it to barbecue sauce to kick that up a notch. Another good option would be to use it to marinate some shrimp and then throw them on the grill, and I may be giving that a try soon.

This is another one that I got through the Heat Hot Sauce Club (more on that here), and the latest box has a garlic theme. You can purchase the sauce directly through the Torchbearer website, HeatHotSauce.com, or on Amazon.com, and my guess is that some specialty stores will carry it as well, seeing as Torchbearer has developed quite a reputation. And if you do happen to see a bottle on the shelf, I certainly recommend picking it up.

Nutrition Info:

Ingredients: GMO-free canola Oil, Garlic, Chipotle Jalapeno, Distilled White Vinegar, Water, Lime Juice, Djon Mustard (Distilled White Vinegar, Water, Citric Acid, Turmeric), Sea Salt, Chili Powder, Black Pepper

Serving Size: 1 Tbsp (14g)
Calories: 40
Fat: 4g (0g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 0g
Carbs: 0g
Sodium: 160mg