Celebrating 150 Years of Fire - Tabasco’s Legacy & the Allure of Diamond Reserve

Diamonds Are Forever.

In 2018, Louisiana’s iconic McIlhenny Company, makers of Tabasco brand pepper sauce, celebrated a milestone – 150 years of fiery flavor. To commemorate this occasion, they released a special edition hot sauce: the Tabasco Diamond Reserve. This limited-edition sauce wasn’t just a celebratory marketing ploy; it represented a unique twist on a classic.

A Family Legacy

The Tabasco story begins in 1865 with Edmund McIlhenny, a Civil War veteran who bottled his favorite peppery concoction on Avery Island. The sauce, made with mashed Avery Island tabasco peppers, salt, and vinegar, and served up in perfume bottles, quickly gained popularity. Over the decades, Tabasco has become a global condiment giant, synonymous with vinegary, peppery heat.

The Diamond Reserve: A Cut Above

The Diamond Reserve was a tribute to Tabasco’s heritage, but with a luxurious twist. Aged red peppers were hand-selected for their superior color, texture, and robustness. These peppers were then combined with sparkling white wine vinegar, a departure from the traditional distilled vinegar used in the original red sauce. This resulted in a more complex flavor profile, boasting a richer fruitiness alongside the familiar peppery kick.

Sold Out

Unfortunately, Diamond Reserve was a limited run and sold out almost immediately. However, bottles will sometimes still show up on eBay, albeit at a premium.

Family Reserve: A Cousin, Not a Twin

While the Diamond Reserve was a one-time celebration, Tabasco offers a permanent option for those seeking a premium hot sauce experience: the Family Reserve. Introduced in 2013, the Family Reserve shares some similarities with the Diamond Reserve. Both are made with aged Tabasco peppers and boast a more nuanced flavor profile than the classic red sauce. However, there are key differences. The Family Reserve uses aged white oak barrels for the vinegar, imparting subtle oaky notes.

If you’re a fan of Tabasco and never got the chance to taste the Diamond Reserve, Family Reserve is a reasonable (read: available) alternative. Providing a more nuanced flavor than regular Tabasco, your taste buds will thank you. Unfortunately, it’s not easily found in brick-and-mortar retailers that sell the more conventional Tabasco varieties. Thankfully, Amazon always has this variety in stock.

A Celebration of Spice

The Tabasco Diamond Reserve was a fitting tribute to a brand that has brought fiery flavor to tables around the world for a century and a half. While it may no longer be available, it serves as a reminder of Tabasco’s commitment to innovation and its ability to elevate the humble hot sauce into a culinary experience. For those seeking a taste of Tabasco’s premium offerings, the Family Reserve provides a chance to explore the complex depths of pepper-based heat.