Garlic Festival – Garlic Ghost – OBITUARY REVIEW

Here lies Garlic Festival Garlic Ghost

8.3/10

I first met this sauce at the Kansas City Renaissance Faire! I’m always excited when I review sauces that I get from there, because that gives me the chance to yap about it again. Mostly, I’m excited for it to come back this year. Usually, I’ll buy a bunch of discounted tickets and use those, but this year, I plan on buying the season pass. Typically, this evens out to be about the same cost as buying the discount tickets, because I usually go every weekend that it’s here, but this also lets me go both days if I want to. Truthfully, the Ren Faire feels like home, and I get a therapeutic sense of comfort while I’m there. While it’s a huge hustle and bustle of people, there’s just something about being surrounded by people in costumes and talking in funny accepts that makes the grounds more free to be myself, because I also dress up and talk in an accent. Every year I work a little bit more on my costume, buy little jewelry or accessories, and slip into character. Plus, there are turkey legs! I’ll forever enjoy watching the shows, visiting the vendors that recognize us, picking up new things, and just generally spending time away from reality and responsibility. Anyway, let’s get into the review!

REVIEW: The sauce here is mostly leaning towards ripe jalapeno flavors with a heat boost from the ghost. The taste of both of these peppers has grown on me. Before starting these reviews, I didn’t prefer red jalapeno over green, and I actively disliked ghost peppers. Thankfully, I think I enjoy ripened jalapenos in a sauce now, to the point where I seek it out when looking through a brand’s selections. This sauce has an awesome balance of these, with a more earthy round that is high-fived by the smooth garlic flavor this company has. It has a mild heat at first, and then slowly eases into a more exciting and lingering burn the more you have. Basically, this sauce meets right in the middle for both taste and heat, and doesn’t have that signature ghost bitterness that makes me shy away. The vinegar flavor isn’t as prevalent, making this one less tangy than expected. Simple ingredients allow a delivery that just sticks the landing. No frills, all thrills. This sauce is PERFECT for a breakfast sandwich/burrito, or just tossing some wings in. Rest in Peace, Spicy Prince.

Feel free to recommend your favorite sauce that includes jalapeno and ghost, suggest another sauce by Garlic Festival, or tell us your experience with this one!

Ingredients: Water, Red Jalapeno Puree (Red Jalapeno Peppers, Citric Acid), Chili Mash (Jolokai Peppers, Salt), White Vinegar, Garlic, Salt, Xanthan Gum