The next review for BJO Smoky Mountain will focus on a 4 ounce/113 gram bag of their garlic flavored 100% grass-fed beef biltong. This bag was purchased in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, at the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, where there is a Tinton Falls Beef Jerky Outlet store. As an added bonus, you can sample all of the many flavors in their store.
This BJO Smoky Mountain brand is distributed under the name of The Beef Jerky Outlet Franchise, Inc., who are located in Seymour, Tennessee. The owners, Rick Kromer and Randy Giandonato, established this Tinton Falls BJO store in November 2016. Following the true authentic traditions of South African biltong, it is air dried, as opposed to dried or cooked in something such as a dehydrator or smoker. As a result of being air dried, biltong is considered to be healthier than jerky. No enzymes are destroyed in the drying process, where the intact enzymes help break down the beef in our bodies. This is their 3rd store, and currently have 3 more stores planned. In 2017, there is expected to be over 100 Beef Jerky Outlet stores. This biltong is advertised to be non-GMO.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Salt, Brown Sugar, Salt, and Spice Blend.
This jerky uses 100% grass-fed beef, where it starts at an Excellent (10/10) taste rating. These cattle are raised ethically, meaning they are not fed growth hormones, or additional antibiotics. There is also some free range access for the cattle to roam about.
There is no liquid marinade used here. We basically just have a healthy blend of spices, which may include black pepper, coriander, and cloves.
The sugar level is great at less than 1 gram of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is high at 470mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Admirably, this jerky does qualify to have no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips of biltong are small in size, and sliced thin. As common with biltong, there is a soft and tender texture, which is easy to chew. The texture is a bit on the dry side. There are some signs of fat, where not necessarily, typically biltong tends to have more fat to accentuate the natural beef flavor. There is no oily residue handling these strips of biltong.
Multiple flavors jump out at first, where the garlic is present tasting. At mild levels are the salt and black pepper. Mixed in is coriander, and a great level of cloves that beautifully complements all the other flavors.
There is almost no sweetness, which allows a great amount of natural beef flavor. This flavor does remind you of an old fashioned, classic biltong recipe, with extra garlic. Overall, while the flavor is not overly bold, it is very flavorful from the first bite, and consistent throughout.
A 4 ounce/113 gram bag sells in the store for $12.99. That works out to $3.25 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price. This biltong is fantastic tasting, and packed with great flavors, which gets better as you consume more strips.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This green resealable plastic bag has a label affixed to the front, and nothing on the back. The Beef Jerky Outlet logo has bull horns above their name.
There is no slogan printed on the bag. Some facts printed on this bag are “Made in USA”, “Gluten Free”, “No GMOS”, “High Protein”, “No MSG”, “No Sodium Nitrate”, “No Artificial Colors”, and “Low Carb”.
The only bag categories missing are a blurb printed about the jerky or flavor, and a jerky web site.
Best jerky we ever ate! Awesome!!