Jerky by Art - Jalapeno Pepper

Jerky by Art was established by Arthur Sandoval in 2004, based out of Albuquerque, NM.

As an iron worker, Art started making carne seca (Mexican-style jerky) at home for his own pleasure. He would take some to work and sell it to co-workers. He was selling so much of it, that he bought more dehydrators. Before he knew it, he was producing jerky all day and night. And thus became, Jerky by Art.

This Jalapeno Pepper variety is described simply as a "spicy jerky".

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Chef Craig's Beef Jerky - Black Thai

The newest flavor to come out of Chef Craig's Beef Jerky is this Black Thai. Read our review of their Original Beef Jerky.

Based out of West Kingston, RI, Chef Craig's Beef Jerky was originally started by Craig Mitchell, who holds a Culinary Arts degree from Johnson & Wales University. He's been cooking professionally since 1978. Chef Craig's Beef Jerky was a way to extend his career in cooking and cuisine.

This Black Thai variety is described by the company as "The same chewy beef jerky with a taste of Asian spiciness; it leaves a lingering warm sensation in your mouth."

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Ryder's Savage Jerky - Peppered

Ryder's Savage Jerky is a brand that launched in 2017 by Monica Willoughby based out of Sacramento, CA. Monica currently markets her jerky at local farmers markets, street fairs, and online through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

She started the business as a way to create a college fund for her 5-year old son Ryder. Last year she launched a crowdfunding campaign to secure licenses, materials, and equipment. Last month she got a boost after being featured on a television news show in Sacramento.

This Peppered beef jerky has no other marketed claims other than its name, "Peppered".

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Western's Smokehouse Snack Sticks

Western's Smokehouse has been in business since 1978, when it was founded by Sam Western, a man who built a career as a butcher. Originally starting as a local meat market, Western's Smokehouse struck it rich when it introduced it's first meat stick, "Western's Hot Dogs".

Renaming them to "Snack Sticks", the company expanded to meet demand by building a larger facility. Production of snack sticks remains as the company's primary focus today.

In addition to these 1 ounce sized snack sticks, Western's also offers them in 2 ounce sizes called, "Big'un" as well as a line of natural snack sticks, both of which we'll review later.

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Whiskey Hill Smokehouse - Venison Jerky

Whiskey Hill Smokehouse is a brand owned and operated by Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, LLC, based out of Hubbard, OR. The company also owns The Jerky Hut brand of jerky, along with Bakke Brothers Brand.

According to the company, the Whiskey Hill Smokehouse brand focuses on exotic meats and more exotic recipes than The Jerky Hut and the Bakke Brothers lines. It also focuses on all natural ingredients and its jerky varieties are all marked as "Gluten Free".

Whiskey Hill Smokehouse says this Venison Jerky has , "No wild taste", and goes on to describe the flavor as, "Just a hint of tang with a little Black Pepper", and says the meat comes from, "slices of premium, tender VENISON prime steak".

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People's Choice Beef Jerky - Cowboy Peppered

People's Choice Beef Jerky recently introduced a new flavor, "Cowboy Peppered". It launched in October 2017.

People's Choice Beef Jerky is a brand of People's Sausage Company, Inc. based out of Los Angeles, CA. It's a family-run business that's been around since 1929.

This new Cowboy Peppered variety is part of the company's "Tasting Kitchen" series, which is a line of jerky that mixes bold, eclectic ingredients, with the old fashioned style of making jerky. The company says this Cowboy Peppered is, "...for those that love the rich and bold flavor of coarse black pepper ... married with slight sweetness of sugar and the richness of Worcestershire sauce."

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Jerky's Gourmet - Habanero Sculpin

Jerky's Gourmet is a new brand of jerky, founded by Tim Gerstman and Andria Taylor, based out of San Diego, CA. Gerstman, who transplated to San Diego from the East Coast 8 years ago, met Andria who also happened to love beef jerky. The two joined forces and launched Jerky's Gourmet.

Their jerky is sold at various shops, bars, and venues across the San Diego area. However the two can be found at the Little Italy Farmers Market on Saturdays, doling out samples of their jerky.

Habanero Sculpin also happens to be the name of a craft beer made by Ballast Point Brewing, another San Diego business. This jerky is marinated for 24 hours in this brew, creating a one-two punch of habanero spices and "subtle hoppy notes" on the tongue.

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Biltong USA - Peri-Peri Sliced Biltong

Biltong USA was among the earliest brands of American-made biltong, dating back to 1996. South African immigrants, Dawid Joubert and Salome Joubert founded the company in Stallings, NC based on the same family recipe that dated back into the 1600s. Over the years, their biltong products helped launched a new meat snack category in the States.

In January 2018, Biltong USA was acquired by a rival biltong brand, Stryve Foods. However, Biltong USA continues on under its own brand, and is still manufactured at its original USDA inspected facility in Stallings.

This Peri-Peri Sliced Biltong refers is the company's lean variety but seasoned with Peri-Peri, a South African style spicy seasoning made from the Piri-Piri pepper. Because Piri-Piri peppers are so difficult to find in the USA, most companies use cayenne. Biltong USA doesn't specify if this contains real Piri-Piri peppers or not. The package is also marked "Gluten Free".

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Emerald Coast Gourmet Jerky - Mild

Emerald Coast Gourmet Jerky is a new brand of jerky, having officially launched at the start of this year. Dennis Kloet, who operates a House of Jerky outlet in Fort Walton Beach, FL, had been making beef jerky going back to the early 2000s when he was selling his homemade concoctions to racing fans at local racetracks.

His new brand is based on his years of discovering what sells best, and what he and other jerky aficionados seem to define as "gourmet".

This "Mild" variety is also described as "with a kick", and is also touted as, "cross grain cut", "no preservatives", and "easy chew".

Ingredients

Beef Eye of Round, Marinade (soy sauce [water, salt, hydrolyzed soy protein, corn syrup, caramel coloring], dehydrated garlic, sugar, vinegar, natural hickory smoke flavor, caramel color), cayenne pepper

Review

The flavors that come into view is a meaty, beefy palate followed soon by a mild yet savory marinade of soy sauce and light vinegar. That cayenne pepper does materialize enough let itself be known without calling in the fire department, but does offer just enough of its characteristic profile.

You could just about imagine yourself dipping chunks of beef grilled over a flame into a pot of au jus and then dabbling them with a spot of Tabasco or Franks Red Hot. It has that kind of meaty flavor bolstered with a French Dip sauce and sprinkled lightly with cayenne pepper. It's not hot at all, but gives off a light flavor of a Louisiana-style condiment.

The diced cubes of beef are a welcomed change of creativity beyond the usual spate of slabs and strips so commonly seen in most brands. Shaped and sized into small cubes about 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch, they allow for continuous easy snacking suitable for working lunches and Netflix binges.

As for the claim of "easy chew", it definitely is so. Tender right out of the bag, but still offering a steak-like chewing texture, this Mild variety allows you to indulge your snacking urge without making you work for it. Even the "Mild with a kick" labeling is par for the course, though for someone like me who prefers a fiery chew it's more like a "nudge".

Verdict

This Mild variety from Emerald Coast Gourmet Jerky definitely does awaken the senses with its savory light marinade, meaty, beef flavor, and touches of Louisiana-style pepper sauce. But it also pleases with its steak-like chewing texture, and creates a great snacking experience with its easy chewing and small, snackable pieces. While Emerald Coast Gourmet Jerky does not yet have online ordering for its flagship product offering, you can still order yourself some by messaging them on their Facebook Page.

Rating: Best

To buy, send message to the company's Facebook Page:

• https://www.facebook.com/emeraldcoasthouseofjerkyboutique/
  

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Jeff's Famous Jerky - Sweet Cinnamon Roll Bacon Jerky

The guys at Jeff's Famous Jerky have a new bacon jerky flavor out now, "Sweet Cinnamon Roll". Read our previous reviews of Jeff's Famous Jerky.

Jeff's Famous Jerky officially opened for business in 2010 and is owned and operated by Jeff's Famous Foods, Inc., led by founder Jeff Richards and CFO Mike Aggarwal, out of Mission Viejo, CA. The company offers numerous flavors of jerky, all hormone-free, American beef (or bacon), without added MSG or preservatives.

This Sweet Cinnamon Roll Bacon Jerky is the company's 5th bacon jerky variety, and according to them is described as, "A sweet mouth watering fusion of flavor", as well as, "the flavor of cinnamon rolls and the taste of soft gourmet bacon". It's also claimed to be gluten-free.

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Bakke Brothers Brand Jerky - Teriyaki

Bakke Brothers Brand is owned by Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, LLC based out of Hubbard, OR. Whiskey Hill also owns The Jerky Hut, as well as its own house brand, Whiskey Hill Smokehouse.

Bakke Brothers was started by Phil Bakke, one of Whiskey Hill's founders. The brand differs from The Jerky Hut in that it's free of preservatives such as sodium nitrite, sodium erythorbate, et al, and it's also gluten-free.

This Teriyaki Beef Jerky is marketed as, "Gluten Free", "No MSG", and "No Nitrates", and other than that, is simple marked, "Teriyaki".

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