My Rancher - Yak Jerky

My Rancher is a small country store located in Greenville, TX along the I-30, about 50 miles north-east of Dallas. In addition to selling a line of its own branded jerky, it sells fresh meats, eggs, candy, nuts and fruits, among others country-living staples.

The store, owned by Doug and Marguerite Robbins, opened up in May 2008 as an outlet for their 142-acre ranch where they raise grass-fed cattle. This Yak Jerky, along with their other exotic-meat jerky, is manufactured for My Rancher by an outside facility.

Check out this video of My Rancher's jerky offerings: http://youtu.be/mhzad1tFcp0

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Carnivore Candy - Volcanic Jalapeno

The newest flavor from Carnivore Candy is this Volcanic Jalapeno variety. Read my previous review of their Original Peppered.

Since that previous review, the company has redesigned its process and the cut of meat, now using extra lean pectoral meat and processed for maximum tenderness, and marinated in vacuum tumblers.

This particular variety is labeled as claiming, "Fiery jalapeno with a hint of tangy sweetness! A taste explosion as hot as burning lava!"

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Hangtown Beef Jerky - Original

Hangtown Beef Jerky is a brand owned by Glenwood Smoked Products, based out of Idaho Falls, ID. The company was started back in 1961 by Glen C Scott as a maker of smoked turkeys.

Since then, the company has gone on to expand its smoked meat products, including even wild game processing, and of course, makes beef jerky.

Glenwood also has a line of jerky named "Glenwood Beef Jerky", which is actually the company's original jerky brand. Hangtown is a recent brand, and I'm led to believe is a different recipe, and is also being marketed through Amazon.com.

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Jerky Hut - Hot Teriyaki Beef Jerky

Next in the series on Jerky Hut this is Hot Teriyaki Beef Jerky.

Jerky Hut is a brand of Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, LLC, based out of Hubbard, OR. The brand which is often seen at boat shows, gun shows, car shows, and trade shows of every kind, was started over 30 years ago. Whiskey Hill Smokehouse runs its own USDA inspected facility.

This Hot Teriyaki is also dubbed, "Mooie Looie", and according to the company, is made from prime cut, thick slices of beef, seasoned with a touch of crushed red chilies and Chinese Hot Mustard.

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Jerky John's Turkey Jerky - American Original

Jerky John's introduced its turkey jerky in August 2011, and recently the company sent me two of their flavors for review. I had written reviews of their beef jerky back in October 2010 (see reviews).

The company, which at the time was based in Huntington Beach, CA, has since relocated to Norco, CA. It was started by John Keller, a former US Army paratrooper. The entire line of Jerky John's also touts itself as being one of the lowest sodium jerky brands on the market.

According to Keller, this line of turkey jerky received great response at multiple venues, and even people who hated turkey jerky found themselves liking it. In addition to this American Original turkey jerky, I also have their Black Pepper, which I'll review later.

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PA Dutch Style Beef Jerky - Some Like It Hot

Next in the series on PA Dutch Style Beef Jerky is this "Some Like it Hot" variety. See my previous review of their Peppered variety.

It's the creation of Lisa Heinemann, who started making jerky in 1992, but just started selling it on eBay late last year. She makes it all fresh to order, and offers seven varieties in all. Her jerky is all hand-trimmed and preservative-free.

She describes "Dutch Style" as meaning "slightly sweeter and not as salty as some". This "Some Like It Hot" variety is her original sweet/salty jerky and what appears to be her spiciest offering.

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JW's Jerky - Cajun

Last up for review in the series on JW's Beef Jerky is this Cajun variety. See my previous of review of their Medium variety.

JW's Jerky is a brand owned by Jerry Wilkinson of Oklahoma City, OK. The brand has been selling in trade shows, fairs, and festivals for the past 10 years throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.

JW's doesn't quite have a website yet, though they are working on one at www.jwsjerky.com, but for now they are online via Facebook, and orders can be placed by phone or e-mail. Jerry makes all the jerky himself, trims it by hand, and marinates the beef in vacuum tumblers. Orders placed via phone or e-mail are made fresh to order. Currently he has three flavors, this Medium, a Cajun, and an Original. He can also do Ghost Pepper upon request.

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Jeff's Famous Jerky - Habanero Heatwave

The newest flavor from Jeff's Famous Jerky is this Habanero Heatwave. Marketed with phrases like, "Extra hot & spicy", and "Serious heat... and packed with flavor", it's thus far the strongest contender in tongue-burning category, at least within the company.

Since I first reviewed Jeff's Famous Jerky in May 2010, the brand has expanded into 22 states with Hawaii coming soon. They're also celebrating their 2nd anniversary this May with a "Free Jerky for a Year Giveaway", the winner gets three bags of jerky every month for a year. More details here.

And if you don't win, you can always get in on Jeff's, "Jerky Every Month Club", for $24.95 a month, where you get four bags per month, shipping included.

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PA Dutch Style Beef Jerky - Peppered

PA Dutch Style Beef Jerky is the name Lisa Heinemann uses when marketing her own homemade beef jerky on eBay. "I didn't give my jerky a brand name as of yet", she says. "But you may use my eBay title".

Heinemann has been making jerky since 1992 but just started selling it on eBay last year. It's all made fresh to order, and she offers seven flavors in all. I only have two of her flavors at this time, including this "Peppered" and her "Some Like it Hot".

She describes "Dutch Style" as meaning "slightly sweeter and not as salty as some". Her jerky is all preservative-free and hand-trimmed. Her Hickory and Applejack varieties are real wood smoked over hickory and apple wood chips.

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Dole Plantation Brand Hickory Smoked Jerky

A couple weeks ago, I published a review of Dole Plantation Brand Pineapple Flavored Ham Jerky. Here's their other flavor, Hickory Smoked Jerky.

This product says its made with beef and chicken, with hickory smoke added.

I found this while on vacation in Hawaii at an ABC Store in Honolulu. It's actually the product of Bric-A-Brac, Inc., out of Las Vegas, NV, but manufactured by Monogram Meat Snacks, who makes hundreds of other brands of jerky.

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Old Kalahari - Voortrekkers Biltong

Old Kalahari Gourmet, LLC, based in Dallas, TX, is a new business that sells "Voortrekkers Biltong".

The company was launched by Dan Lewin and is still in the stages of setting up its website. Currently, they have this biltong product selling in one store in the Dallas area.

Biltong is a South African-style dried meat, similar to jerky, but different in that it's typically air dried in room temperature for a few days, and cured with salt and vinegar. Biltong is usually seasoned with coriander seed.

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