Avila Gorilla Hot Sauce Review

I’m going to something that I haven’t done in awhile - are you ready? I’m going to write an actual blog post - complete with real typed words, on my blog. I’ve done most of my reviews in video form, but there’s something about a written article that is somehow simultaneously nostalgic and modern. I know in this day and age I have to have some tricks up my sleeve to keep your attention, so I will try to use the best, wordiest words I can write in this worded post.

I received three sauces from Avila Gorilla, a hot sauce company out of Washington state for my tasting pleasure: Honey Chipotle, Apple Blackberry and Pineapple Mango. I was surprised that all three were fruit-based sauces, but excited for the upcoming sauceventures (I’m allowed to make up words, this is my blog).

Honey Chipotle

Ingredients: Honey, Water, Peppers (Green Jalapeño, Habanero, Chipotle, Ghost Chili), Yellow Bell Pepper, Apple Cider Vinegar, Tomato Paste, Organic Cane Sugar, Salt, Garlic, Shallots, Cultured Dextrose, Acids (Acetic, Citric), Smoked Paprika

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that the Honey Chipotle is the best sauce out of the trio. The bad news is that it’s tough to start out with the best, even if the others are solid. The consistency is a tad thinner than ketchup, but similar in appearance. This sauce is a bit chunky, although I can’t discern what the chucks consist of. The tastebuds are immediately welcomed by a sweet honey taste and then the spicy habanero and ghost chili hit, with a smoky chipotle aftertaste. I’d compare this sauce to a spicy BBQ sauce - overall I really enjoyed it. I topped a grilled pork chop with this sauce and it was a delightful combination. 8.5/10

Apple Blackberry

Ingredients: Marion Blackberry Puree, Apples, Peppers (Habanero, Green Jalapeño), Water, Yellow Bell Pepper, Organic Cane Sugar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Salt, Garlic, Shallots, Cultured Dextrose, Acids (Acetic, Citric)

This sauce was my least favorite out of the three. I had high hopes for a blackberry hot sauce, but I’m not sure this one met my expectations. The taste is pretty sweet and very apple-forward with a hotter than expected lingering taste. The consistency is similar to the Honey Chipotle, but slightly thinner. I think this sauce might be better without apples as the blackberry taste was a bit overshadowed. 6/10

Pineapple Mango

Ingredients: Pineapple, Peppers (Green Jalapeño, Habanero, Ghost Chili), Mango Puree, Water, Yellow Bell Pepper, Organic Cane Sugar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Tomato Paste, Salt, Garlic, Shallots, Cultured Dextrose, Acids (Acetic, Citric)

I can see why pineapple is such a popular ingredient in hot sauces - it really works well. This sauce was the thickest in consistency and had definite chunks of pineapple. This sauce is sweet and savory and has a solid amount of spice (I’d categorize all three as medium-hot). All-in-all it’s a tasty sauce, and the only thing I’d change is to blend it a bit more to make it smoother. 8/10

It was interesting to taste and compare three fruity hot sauces from the same company. Avila Gorilla sauces are definitely worth a try - especially if you like sweet flavors with a fair amount out of heat.

https://avilagorilla.com/