The next review on Wild Sky will focus on a 2.25 ounce/64 gram bag of their peppered flavored 100% grass-fed beef jerky. This jerky bag was kindly submitted for review by their Inside Sales representative, Ian Damon.
Wild Sky beef jerky is distributed by Montana Prairie Holdings, and it is located in Bozeman, Montana. Wild Sky is an innovate company launched in 2014, and it is created by American Prairie Reserve. Their mission is to support wildlife-friendly ranching through the sale of premium beef. This business model conserves wildlife, and contributes to economic activity in Montana’s rural Northern Great Plains. The overarching goal of American Prairie Reserve is to restore and conserve an abundance of extraordinary diverse wildlife to Montana’s Northern Great Plains, which the region once hosted.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Grass-Fed Beef, Sugar, Water, Gluten-Free Tamari Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol), Apple Cider Vinegar, Black Pepper, Salt, Paprika, Natural Smoke Flavoring, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder. Allergen Warnings: Soy
The 100% grass-fed beef used is sourced from the U.S., with profits flowing back to Wild Sky Ranchers in Montana who practice wildlife-friendly ranching. These ranchers practice something known as a Freese Scale, which measures nine different ecological processes, each of which is given a 1-7 rating. Annually these Freese Scale ratings are studied, reviewed by a third-party entity and management identifies what areas of each ranch need attention.
The jerky qualifies to be ethically raised, meaning no growth hormones or additional antibiotics are given. Also, the cattle used in this jerky qualifies to have free range access to roam about and graze on grass, the way nature intended.
The liquid marinade used is comprised of water, a high-end gluten-free tamari soy sauce, and super healthy apple cider vinegar.
Some healthy ingredients are added such as paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Black pepper is sometimes referred to as the King of Spices, which offers numerous health benefits.
The sugar level is on the high side at 5 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is respectable at 310mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky qualifies to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservative. Instead, organic salt is the main preservative used, and apple cider vinegar to a lesser degree. With more kudos to Wild Sky, this jerky has no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
This Wild Sky 100% Grass Fed Beef Jerky has a veritable cornucopia of flavors jumping right out of the bag; this jerky definitely hits on the “WOW!!!” factor.
Lots of flavors immediately jump out. There is a solid black pepper flavor and a reasonable level of soy and saltiness followed with a nice garlicky flavor. We’ve tasted copious amounts of cracked black pepper where a handful of pepper remained at the bottom of the bag as evidence. A little spicy kick was injected in this jerky with a light sweetness and tanginess where the fruitiness from the apple was palpable. These together brought interesting layers of flavor and did balance the bolder flavors to perfection. The natural beef and smoky flavors did put the candle on the cake.
The texture of these strips of jerky is between small to medium although mostly smaller in size. They are sliced medium to borderline thick. This jerky is quite soft, tender and easy to chew. It leaves no oily residue on the fingers.
I have to admit, it was quite a challenge to write this review due to the fact that only a very small amount was submitted for review. We had to share this small bag between us three reviewers. We stretched and then stretched some more, as we had so little product to base our opinion. We’ve made some sacrifices and managed to write this review.
We would certainly recommend this jerky to fans of black pepper enjoying a soft and tender texture. Paul and I were blown away by this flavor and we’re ready to drop our imaginary gloves at the drop of a hat with anyone who do not agree with the voices of reason.
Ahem! Mark on the other hand was less enthusiastic about this outstanding beef jerky and rated it a meager 8/10. I am now facing a dilemma, do I hold Paul back and let Mark enjoy another delectable beef jerky eating day or do I let Paul loose, release his Apocalyptic Wrath of Paul and have Mark repent for his sins? …to be continued.
In the end, the Wild Sky 100% Grass Fed Beef Jerky was a big hit with all of us at JerkyIngredients.com. We simply wish we would have had a little more to have the opportunity of fully appreciating and enjoying this great jerky. We’ve rated this tasty gem a very emphatic 10/10 taste rating.
We would also wish to take a moment and extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the victims of the deplorable, dishonorable and cowardly act on Yonge Street on this fateful day of April 23rd 2018, their families and friends and everyone impacted by this tragedy. You are in our prayers, hearts and thoughts. God Bless!
A 4 pack of 2.25 ounce/64 gram bags of jerky sells online for $23.99, which works out to $2.67 an ounce. That would rate as an average price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This plastic resealable bag has everything imprinted on the bag itself, both on the front band back, with no labels affixed. There are high resolution pictures displayed of a bear in the wild. The Wild Sky logo has the word Wild in the backdrop of a cloud.
The only slogan printed on this bag is “Supporting Wildlife-Friendly Ranching”. Some of the many facts printed on this bag are “Meet a Wild Sky Rancher”, “Read Their Story on the Back”, “All-Natural”, “Made in the USA”, “Gluten-Free”, “No Nitrates or Nitrites”, “No Artificial Ingredients”, “Minimally Processed”, Natural Smoke Flavoring Added”, “Grass-Fed Beef Jerky”, and “Beef Used is Pasture Raised & Never Given Antibiotics or Hormones”.
For this original flavor, 3rd generation ranchers Toby and Liz from the Werk Ranch are featured on this bag with their story.
All bag categories are covered with this bag. There is a great small blurb printed on the back about the benefits of American Prairie Reserve and Wild Sky.
Excellent (10/10) – Bag Rating
Order their jerky online: www.wildskybeef.org
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