Katie's Beef Jerky - Maple Habanero

Maple Habanero is the newest flavor from Katie's Premium Jerky & Snacks, a brand owned by Katie's Snack Foods, LLC based out of Hilliard, OH. It was started in 2014 by Katie Levesque, a graduate of The Ohio State University.

According to Katie, she loves jerky so much, that she actually sleeps with it under her pillow (in a plastic bag), and prefers spicy jerky (so that other people won't ask for some). She loves it so much, she left her career as an engineer to launch her own jerky company. Katie's Premium Jerky & Snacks is made in its own USDA inspected facility.

This "Maple Habanero" variety is so new, it's still not on the company's website, but we're assuming it's going to be very soon. The company also has another new variety called, "Maple" (sans habanero), but we didn't get it for review.

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Smoke Shack Jerky - Smokin Maple

Smoke Shack Jerky describes itself as a "small Upstate NY kitchen" that launched in 2017 by Jonathan Brown of Rochester, NY. Their unique angle is smoking jerky over real wood, and using thicker cuts of meat for a beefier chew. They don't use any smoke flavoring, and no preservatives. The company also has a line of smoked nuts.

Brown also chose to develop jerky recipes based on cultures found around the world as opposed to the more common profiles found with mass-produced brands.

This Smokin Maple is described by the company as, "Maple meets meat, smoky meets sweet", going on to say that it's mild in spice.

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Uncle Andy's Jerky

Uncle Andy's Jerky was conceived about a year and a half ago, the vision of Andrew Hanenberg, based out of Cedar Grove, NJ.

It started when Andrew was crossfit training and got hooked on the paleo diet. He bought a meat slicer at a hardware store and started experimenting with jerky recipes. Inspired by the bold, eclectic flavors introduced by craft breweries like Dogfish Head and New Belgium, etc., he perfected four original recipes and is now crowdfunding to get his business rolling.

At this point, you can't buy Uncle Andy's Jerky. Below are reviews based on pre-production samples sent to us from Andrew.

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Jeff's Famous Jerky - Maple Brown Sugar Bacon

The guys at Jeff's Famous Jerky sent us packages of their Maple Brown Sugar Bacon Jerky for review. 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 ten flavors of jerky, all hormone-free, American beef (or bacon), without added MSG or preservatives.

This Maple Brown Sugar Bacon Jerky is the company's flagship flavor in their bacon jerky line, and according to the is, "...perfectly perfectly highlighted with a light Maple Brown Sugar flavor that is sure to delight anyone who loves bacon." They go on to say that they use 100% real maple syrup.

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Wild Bill's Bacon Jerky - Sweet Maple Glazed

Off the success of Wild Bill's Bacon Jerky released a couple of years ago, the cantankerous cowboy himself has followed up with a new variety, "Sweet Maple Glazed Bacon Jerky".

Made from 100% real bacon, this stuff adds a layer of sweet maple-goodness to an already pistol-packing mouthful of mayhem. We had rated Wild Bill's Original Bacon Jerky with a 5-star rating based on its great bacon flavor, thick pieces of meat, and tender chewing. I can't imagine how this new Sweet Maple Glazed variety could go wrong.

Wild Bill's is a brand of Monogram Food Solutions, based out of Memphis, TN. The brand has been around since 1955, and continues to be one of the top sellers in the world of beef jerky.

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Beer Drinkin' Dan's Beef Jerky - Mountain Maple

Next up in the series on Beer Drinkin' Dan's Beef Jerky is this Mountain Maple variety. See my previous review of their Sweet Black Pepper Teriyaki.

Beer Drinkin' Dan's Beef Jerky is a brand of jerky operated by Daniel Purrenhage of Dearborn, MI, who got started in beef jerky about 14 years ago when he got a dehydrator as a wedding gift. It wasn't until last year that he set up a website and started selling his strips of his jerky online for the world to experience.

This Mountain Maple beef jerky is described as combining raw maple syrup with a mild blend of spices, which Dan says is perfect for a cold day of hunting or hiking.

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SlantShack Jerky - Hot & Smoky with Vermont Maple Glaze & Garlic

Earlier this month we featured the Bronx Pale Ale variety from SlantShack Jerky. We wanted to do a review of this "Hot & Smoky with Vermont Maple Glaze & Garlic". See our other reviews of SlantShack Jerky here.

SlantShack Jerky is the only brand that offers a "Build Your Own" jerky, where you select grades of beef, marinades, and seasonings. It also offers customers the option of 100% grass-fed beef or grain-fed beef. The company is leading a movement to redefine jerky in terms of customization, artisan craftsmanship, and cutting edge flavors.

This particular flavor I'm reviewing here was created through the company's "Build Your Own" jerky feature on its website.

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Blue Ox Jerky Co - Cherry Maple Smoked Turkey

Next in the series on Blue Ox Jerky Co is this Cherry Maple Smoked Turkey. See my previous review of their Peppercorn Smoked Beef.

Blue Ox Jerky Co is based out of Troy, MI, having launched in January of 2011. Legend has it that the company was started by Saul Bunyan, lesser known brother of the famous Paul Bunyan. Saul had accidentally set fire to Paul's bovine companion, Babe the Blue Ox, and opted to douse the fire with teriyaki sauce. And hence, a business was born selling jerky.

According to the company, it was Saul who had a knack for luring turkeys into barns with this unique cherry maple sauce and then turning them into strips of jerky.

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Remington Trail Steaks - Cherry Maple Flavored Smoked Turkey

Next in the series on Remington Trail Steaks is this Cherry Maple Flavored Smoked Turkey. See last week's review of their Blazin' Hot Smoked Beef.

Remington Trail Steaks is a brand of Trailsteaks, LLC based out of Chattanooga, TN. The company licenses the Remington brand from RA Brands, LLC, which is the licensing branch of Remington Arms Company, Inc., the gun manufacturer.

Remington Trail Steaks was first launched in May 2008 at the All Candy Expo in Chicago, IL, and is marketed through sporting good stores, parks and resorts, and other outdoor enthusiast retailers, as well some online outlets.

According to the company, this Cherry Maple Flavored Smoked Turkey is their number one selling product. It was provided to me for review by Jedidiah's Jerky, who's one of their retailers.

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Vermont Beef Jerky Co. - Maple & Spice

Last in the series on Vermont Beef Jerky Co. is this Maple & Spice variety. See my previous review of their Original beef jerky.

Vermont Beef Jerky Co. is based in Orleans, VT and makes jerky in their own USDA inspected facility. They make four varieties including this Maple & Spice, the Original, along with Hickory Smoked, and a Teriyaki. All but the Teriyaki are said to be hickory smoked.

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