Sadly, there is probably none that can be reliably sources, there is no barrel-aged vinegar based mild hot sauce similar to Tabasco, as everyone was trying to develop their unique extra-hot blend.
There are plenty of good hot sauces imported from Asia (Thai Sriracha, Indonesian Sambal Oelek [for me the best is windmill brand]), many interesting (and hot AF) European bigger brands (I like Polish Roleski, they have nice hot sauce range) and local small-batch craft brands, but sadly no direct Tabasco replacement, as there’s no direct bourbon replacement – there are tens of thousands of interesting flavors across the world, so I can live with that for a while.
Hotness is fine, but I couldn’t yet find one with the right consistency (most of them have some thickeners, as they are, well, sauces), and right flavor profile – I’m considering trying to make my own batch of either salt-macerated or fermented birdseye chilli sauce without any extra additives and mix with barrel aged Italian white wine vinegar, this should give a similar vibes.
Fortunately, I’m using this particular sauce mostly in cocktails every now and then, so I’m not in a hurry.
Sadly, there is probably none that can be reliably sources, there is no barrel-aged vinegar based mild hot sauce similar to Tabasco, as everyone was trying to develop their unique extra-hot blend.
There are plenty of good hot sauces imported from Asia (Thai Sriracha, Indonesian Sambal Oelek [for me the best is windmill brand]), many interesting (and hot AF) European bigger brands (I like Polish Roleski, they have nice hot sauce range) and local small-batch craft brands, but sadly no direct Tabasco replacement, as there’s no direct bourbon replacement – there are tens of thousands of interesting flavors across the world, so I can live with that for a while.
Some Piri-piri sauce brands are in the same ball park of hotness as Tabasco and it’s rare for them to be much hotter.
The flavour profile is a bit different but not as much as Sriracha for example.
Hotness is fine, but I couldn’t yet find one with the right consistency (most of them have some thickeners, as they are, well, sauces), and right flavor profile – I’m considering trying to make my own batch of either salt-macerated or fermented birdseye chilli sauce without any extra additives and mix with barrel aged Italian white wine vinegar, this should give a similar vibes.
Fortunately, I’m using this particular sauce mostly in cocktails every now and then, so I’m not in a hurry.
Piri-piri you say?