I have to credit the folks at Tengu for packing in a lot of clam flavor into this jerky, but that’s really all your getting here, aside from a strong salt flavor. I’m not sure Americans want to eat dried clam for the sake eating clam, however. At least I don’t. I’d be more interested in this if they could add some other taste interest, like hot sauce, or wasabi.

Still, for those folks who want lots of clam flavor, maybe this is your thing (or at least until supplies disappear from store shelves). For myself, this comes across as being rather tiring, and I’m losing interest fast.

You’ll definitely need to get some strong breath freshener afterwards.

(This expert review provided by a man on a Jerky quest, Steve of bestbeefjerky)

This sweet & hot variety from Mr. Z. is mostly a snackable jerky, providing some decent flavor, a good chewing texture, and some ease in eating. In trying to decide if it’s above average, I couldn’t find anything. It’s overall flavor is enjoyable, but still largely average.

While it does live up to being a sweet & hot variety, it doesn’t really punch that flavor out of the ballpark. It’s just moderately sweet, and maybe mild-medium in terms of being hot. You’re getting a low level of hot that 80% of the people in the world can tolerate. When I evaluate a sweet & hot variety, I want something so sweet that it brightens up my day, and then socks me in the gut with some burning hot flames. It just doesn’t do this.

And the overall flavor is not really that exciting. It’s just the moderate level sweet & hot, some saltiness, and traces of garlic and natural meat flavors. It’s rather plain, but still snackable.

Compared to Oberto, Jack Link’s, Bridgford, and other mass-market brands, it’s right on par. If Mr. Z. can keep its prices low, and stick with the 4oz package size, compared to the 3.5oz sizes the other brands are using, I think it’s poised to grab some market share.

My recommended beer pairing, a wheat beer or hefeweizen, I think will compliment this well.”

(This expert review courtesy of Steve Johnson, a fellow beef jerky connoisseur.) Find more of his writing at http://www.bestbeefjerky.org

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