Secret Aardvark – Aardvark Reaper Smoked Hot Sauce

Bitter: ⭐✰✰✰✰

Salty: ⭐⭐⭐✰✰

Sour/Tangy: ⭐⭐✰✰✰

Sweet: ⭐⭐⭐✰✰

Umami: ⭐⭐✰✰✰

Heat: ⭐⭐⭐✰✰✰✰✰✰✰

Quick Flavor Notes: Fruity, smoky, tangy, sweet

Texture: Medium-thick with some chunks

Recommended: Yes

Ingredients: Tomatoes (Tomatoes, Roasted Tomatoes, Tomato Juice), Carrots, White Wine Vinegar, Smoked Reaper Pepper Mash, Yellow Onions, Cane Sugar, Smoked Sea Salt, Garlic, Spices, Yellow Mustard (Distilled Vinegar, Mustard Seed, Salt, Turmeric, Spices)

Founded in 2004 in Portland, OR Secret Aardvark has grown from a local brand to one with national distribution (even recently having a collaboration with Taco Bell). Their original Habanero sauce has long been a popular choice for those getting intro craft hot sauces and I thought their Red Scorpion hot sauce, while certainly mild for a scorpion pepper sauce, had great flavor. I purchased a multipack of their sauces a while ago and not having had anything that I can remember that used smoked reaper peppers before thought this looked interesting.

All of the Secret Aardvark red sauces have a tomato base and this is no different. I’ve had some amazing sauces that incorporate a tomato base, and in fact it’s one reason why I love Marie Sharp’s Belizean Heat more than others in their lineup – the tomatoes just make it taste richer. With carrots, onions, and mustard as well Aardvark Reaper has a take on a Caribbean or Bajan base. This sauce also uses both smoked reapers and smoked sea salt to double down on that smoky component plus a bit of sugar to help balance the heat. Even though this sauce comes in a plastic bottle it’s not particularly squeezable, it’s pretty firm, and the sauce itself is medium-thick and a bit chunky. The tomatoes and other vegetables mix with the aroma of the smoke and peppers when sniffed.

Secret Aardvark Aardvark Reaper is mild for a Carolina Reaper hot sauce. There’s a kick at the front, and some lingering burn, but even compared to some other milder reaper sauces such as Bravado’s Black Garlic Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce or The Spicy Shark Megalodon this is milder. That, however, doesn’t mean that it isn’t delicious. There’s a great tang from the tomatoes and white wine vinegar without ever becoming vinegar forward, and the smoking of the reapers is such a brilliant idea I wonder why it’s not more common – you get the reaper fruitiness and that bright heat but it’s balanced by that earthy slightly sweet smoky flavor. The carrots and bit of sugar also add some sweetness which is just enough to balance the heat without making this into a sweet tasting sauce. Mustard is an inspired addition as well, adding piquancy and helping the onions and garlic keep Aardvark Reaper grounded in the savory realm despite the slight sweetness. The smoke level is noticeable but not overboard. You know you’re eating a sauce with smoked peppers but it won’t make your mouth or your food taste like a campfire.

I tried Aardvark Reaper on pizza first and I thought it’s a great match there – it clings well and has enough heat and flavor to keep it interesting without overpowering it. The smoky flavor of this sauce also goes great with meats. I enjoyed this for a breakfast of fried ham and eggs, and the somewhat ketchup-like consistency and flavor from the tomato base makes this a nice addition to scrambled eggs also. Riffing on the ketchup-like texture and slight resemblance in flavor Aardvark Reaper is a great substitute for it on french fries.

If you’re looking for a flavorful and versatile Carolina Reaper hot sauce that isn’t too hot or you’re just looking to dip your toes into the flavor of the reaper this is a great place to start, and this sauce absolutely gets my recommendation. With a full and balanced flavor profile and some actual reaper flavor combined with a delicious set of supporting ingredients this is one to check out. On the note of this being an all natural sauce, while this would qualify for me based on the ingredients as listed, on the Secret Aardvark website they now show that they’re using a tomato base with added citric acid and calcium chloride.