REVIEW: Gib’s Nuclear Hell Hot Pepper Sauce – Formula #3
Reviewed by Gildo
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been on the hunt for the “perfect†basic red hot sauce. That quintessential all-purpose taqueria style hot sauce that has just the right combination of peppers, vinegar, spices and heat, and is as versatile as it is tasty – perfect for tacos, burritos, pizza, steaks, chops, soups, and stews. I’ve tried dozens of different brands, some coming close, but none have ever had that perfect blend, balance and flavor that I’ve been looking for.
When I first saw the Gib’s Nuclear Hell Jalapeno hot sauce that I was to review, I have to admit I had mixed emotions about it. Packaged inside a standard 5oz. bottle was this really incredible looking dark red sauce, but I found the label and name of the sauce to be a bit on the “been there seen that†side. There are a ton of sauces out there with not so original names and labels. It seems like everyone’s ass is burning, or their rectum has ruptured, or as in this case, Armageddon is upon us. Add to this some sort of a cliché-ish drawing on the label that illustrates the unoriginal name and viola…hot sauce for the masses.
Being taught to not judge a monkey by its fleas, I put my opinions about this sauce’s name and its label aside and focused on what really counts, the sauce itself.
It was taco night at the Gannon’s and a basic red taqueria style hot sauce was exactly what was needed to finish these guys off. I pulled out the Gib’s Nuclear Hell and cracked the top, taking a good whiff before putting any on my tacos. Wow! I took another whiff. Another wow! The aroma of jalapeno peppers mixed with the tomato paste and vinegar was well balanced and pepper forward. Too much tomato or vinegar can make for an unpleasant acidic smell, but the proportions here were just about right.
Ingredients: Tomato paste from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, jalapeno peppers, corn syrup, salt, spices and natural flavorings.
I poured a bit into a ramekin to check the color and viscosity. It has a nice redish-orange/brown color to it with little bits of seeds and skin from the jalapeno peppers. The viscosity is perfect. Not to thick and not to thin. It pours nicely and doesn’t run all over the place or take a power tool to get it from the bottle.
Their motto is “A Little Drop Will Do Ya!,†so I ventured forth with caution as I tasted it. It’s hot alright. Not blow your head off hot, but a definite 5 on the HSB heat scale. A little drop won’t do it for me, but for those sensitive to heat, perhaps. The well flavored balance of jalapenos and tomato paste with the tanginess of the vinegar work well together and the heat is very upfront and in your face. The corn syrup adds a hint of sweetness and the spices and natural flavorings round everything out. This sauce was good on the tacos, not great, just good. I had it the next morning on a breakfast scramble and have tried it with steak and pork chops. It was good on all of them.
So have I found that perfect basic red hot sauce I’ve been looking for? No. But I did find a pretty good everyday red sauce that will work on a lot of different types of food. If you haven’t tried Gib’s Nuclear Hell yet, it just might be worth a try.
Gib’s Classics, Inc.
4433 Kiln Court, Building C
Louisville, KY 40218
800-881-5233
www.bottledhell.com
Chilehead Comments:
Posted by: Gildo - Categories: Uncategorized
Permalink: REVIEW: Gib’s Nuclear Hell Hot Pepper Sauce – Formula #3
One year ago: Review: Red Rectum & Red Rectum Revenge Hot Sauce
Two years ago: Burn Baby Burn
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35 Comments »
his email is ihaveadorkydog@corgi.com
very opinionated review Gildo. had to look up some of dem wurdz. too high tech for this redneck.
Thanks for the review Gildo. I have a 14oz bottle of this sucker waiting to be reviewed here. I guess it will have to fall back in queue now.
generallee on 7/20/2007 at 10:04 am said:
his email is ihaveadorkydog@corgi.com
very opinionated review Gildo. had to look up some of dem wurdz. too high tech for this redneck.
The generals take on “How to win friends and influence people”
Nice one Buddy
Generallee got a hair up your but that you didn’t get any RED SAVINA pickles……hahahhahahhahahah
weszeb on 7/20/2007 at 11:35 am said:
Generallee got a hair up your but that you didn’t get any RED SAVINA pickles……hahahhahahhahahah
Man those were the best pickles I ever had…… mmmmmmm
PARKER, PARKER,PARKER…YOU JUST HIT A GOOG NERVE……How To Win Friends And Influence People is my Bible!!!…It’s by DALE Carenegie
….Ben reading that book a couple times a year…now ya know why i’m a nice guy..!!!!!!!!!!!!!
………PARKER SEND BLANE A COPY…MAKE IT TWO…..HE HAS 2 EYES
if YOU DO YHAT……PICKLES WILL BE ON THE WAY
Are the pickles for sale?
Buddah on 7/20/2007 at 1:09 pm said:
Are the pickles for sale?
They should be!
Buddah…they go to my friends……..But FKS……you opened a can of worms……hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
weszeb on 7/20/2007 at 1:23 pm said:
Buddah…they go to my friends……..But FKS……you opened a can of worms……hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Could you another friend from Long Island?
Buddah…go to Fat Kids sauce read my bio and MAIL ME….we’ll talk
generallee on 7/20/2007 at 10:04 am said:
his email is ihaveadorkydog@corgi.com
very opinionated review Gildo. had to look up some of dem wurdz. too high tech for this redneck.
I’m sorry I’ll try to dumb down my next review and use more pictures. At what grade school reading level should I aim for? LOL.
Buddah, email me your address. I’ve got something for you to try.
sam@zandzhoneyco.com
weszeb on 7/20/2007 at 2:08 pm said:
Buddah…go to Fat Kids sauce read my bio and MAIL ME….we’ll talk
Sam on 7/20/2007 at 3:07 pm said:
Buddah, email me your address. I’ve got something for you to try.
sam@zandzhoneyco.com
Done and done boys. Thanks, and remember any and all offers goes to feed the poor Buddah fund. 
SNAPE KILLS DUMBLEDORE!!
Fat Kid Sauces on 7/20/2007 at 11:37 am said:
Man those were the best pickles I ever had…… mmmmmmm
Agreed, having one right now…. mmmmmmm
kristi on 7/20/2007 at 8:21 pm said:
Agreed, having one right now…. mmmmmmm
You’ve got pics Kristi!
Fat kid Sauces on 7/20/2007 at 9:31 pm said:
You’ve got pics Kristi!
I want pics! 
DK on 7/20/2007 at 9:38 pm said:
I want pics!
LOL different pics….. in the AM… too tired to find the camera…. sorry. Plus its beer-thirty already
HUV…save the brine in the pickle bottle..i’ll mail tou why later
weszeb on 7/20/2007 at 9:44 pm said:
HUV…save the brine in the pickle bottle..i’ll mail tou why later
Too late 
Send email anyway… call me in the AM.
DK on 7/20/2007 at 9:38 pm said:
I want pics!
Don’t feel left out, I’m sending you one! No not THAT kind!!!!
Fat kid Sauces on 7/20/2007 at 9:42 pm said:
LOL different pics….. in the AM… too tired to find the camera…. sorry. Plus its beer-thirty already
hahahahahaha……….beer thirty!!!!! Awesome!
weszeb on 7/20/2007 at 9:44 pm said:
HUV…save the brine in the pickle bottle..i’ll mail tou why later
I’m glad you just said that, forgot you had told me to do the same. See, i told you, short term memory.
kristi on 7/20/2007 at 9:56 pm said:
hahahahahaha……….beer thirty!!!!! Awesome!
I’m drinking yours now..
I actually broke down and didn’t want you drinking alone… I have no beer but did a shot of SoCo instead. See, its not a problem unless you do it alone!
kristi on 7/20/2007 at 10:02 pm said:
I actually broke down and didn’t want you drinking alone… I have no beer but did a shot of SoCo instead. See, its not a problem unless you do it alone!
Thanks for joining! Makers Mark is next…. then bed.
I’m headed there myself, work in the am…ugh…. have a great weekend!
30 beers than Markers mark………think you are saving the resin on the bottle..20 cases later you can re use it….LOLLOL..
weszeb on 7/20/2007 at 10:16 pm said:
30 beers than Markers mark………think you are saving the resin on the bottle..20 cases later you can re use it….LOLLOL..
LOL - I do have all those FKS JJ collectibles to make this weekend. Where do you think I get the resin????? - LOL
I new I had ya pegged……hahaha haahhah
Yeah… buts its always fun to get more resin
Call me in the AM…. Nite wes, and all….
kristi on 7/20/2007 at 9:52 pm said:
Don’t feel left out, I’m sending you one! No not THAT kind!!!!
I don’t know whether to say “Thanks!” or “Damn!” 
LOL!!
Got the pic Kristi, thanks a ton!
Huv, you got mail, I’m callin’ it a night. My day starts early tommorrow as well. 3am drive to Atlanta. Hey wes, if you’re up, give me a call on the road. i’m leavin’ at 3. Three hour trip.
Goodnight all!
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HAY GILDO…nice review….mail me want to send ya my red savina pickles…everyone is talking about them…go to Fat KID SAUCES…read my bio my e-mail is there….my alternent mail or get a hold of anyone they have my mail address