Passow Tries America’s First Chipotle Sauce
Chuck Evans’ Montezuma Smokey Chipotle Pepper Sauce Ingredients: Chile Chipotle and Morita, Chile Pasill, Water, Vinegar, Garlic, Spices, and Salt.
I had the great pleasure of talking with Chuck Evans at the 2007 Fiery Foods Show. I gifted a bottle of what has revolutionized the hot sauce industry in America,Chuck Evans’ Montezuma Smokey Chipotle Pepper Sauce. For those that don’t know, Chuck was the first person in America to come out with a Chipotle sauce (way back in 1986). He was even wise enough to trademark the term “Smokey Chipotle”, something that has probably paid off for him.
Right when I tasted this beauty I knew had I struck gold. Along with being the first, I would have to say this is the best Chipotle sauce out there. Tabasco (those copy cats) has got nothing on this one. This sauce is going to be what I define all other “Chipotle” tastes off of because I think Chuck nailed the flavor.
It’s a bit liquidy and has a slight bite of vinegar but on the other hand it does has tiny chunks of peppers in there. I wouldn’t have minded if he took out the water and added a little bit more Pasillas. That way the sauce will be thicker and bring the taste of Pasillas out. As it stands right now, I can barely taste the that pepper.
The rest of the peppers really dominate this sauce. Like I said before, the smoky taste of chipotle peppers is just amazing and you get a nice, small hint of sweet from the Moritas (aka, smoked and dried Jalapenos). The garlic is noticeable but only as an aftertaste. It’s not a bad aftertaste, but one that sits happily on your taste buds whistling a tune for about 2 minutes.
Montezuma’s heat is very direct, albeit small. Upon sampling a spoonful, the heat strikes the front of your tongue and back of your throat and lingers a little bit. It is not much, but just enough to make you sit up a little. Just another one of the things that make this sauce very pleasing and accessible for most people’s heat tolerance. It goes great on practically any food, especially beef based meal.
Taste: 8.9, Heat: 3
Loading ...
![[Valid RSS]](valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed")
Commented at April 3, 2007- 12:19 am
This is one of my favorite sauces, but definitely the cream of the crop with regard to Chipotle sauces. If it were thicker and a tad spicier, it would be PERFECT…for me. However, it’s really easy to add heat when you’ve got the best flavor. This sauce is a must for those who like Chipotle.
Oh, and Chuck is one of the nicest guys in the business and certainly one of the most, if not THE most, knowledgeable with regard to sauce history.
Commented at April 3, 2007- 11:50 am
Definetly, him and Jim Campbell are on the top of my list.
Commented at April 3, 2007- 5:46 pm
Thanks Jonathan:-)
Yup- the foresight to trademark “Smokey Chipotle” much to the surprise of many of us in the industry
Mine are not the only labels to have had to make a change upon discovering this. More power to him I say, for having had the vision.
Commented at April 5, 2007- 4:39 pm
MMMMMMMMM – Joe & Linda had the courtesy of sending me some of this stuff – I still haven’t opened it (saving on the joys of life!!) – But being addicted to chipotle and reading your review will make me open it – maybe tonight
If you get the chance – try chipotle with salmon – they marry sooo well.
Ewa