Pacific Gold Reserve is a jerky/sausage brand manufactured by the very large and successful dried meat company Oberto. Pacific Gold Reserve is not to be confused with their Pacific Gold brand also made by Oberto. The reserve brand uses premium ingredients, while the Pacific Gold is advertised to use healthy ingredients. The Pacific Gold Reserve slogan is “As Good As It Gets”, and it was officially launched over 30 years ago. Pacific Gold Reserve is distributed under the name of 2018 Oberto Sausage Co., and it is located in Kent, Washington.
The first review on Pacific Gold Reserve will focus on a 4 ounce/113 gram bag of their Italian sausages. This Italian flavor is advertised as made with premium ingredients including garlic powder, whole fennel, and agave. The bag was purchased at Ollie’s discount store located in Niagara Falls, New York.
Ingredient Review
Pork, Water, Agave, Sea Salt, Encapsulated Citric Acid, Granulated Garlic, Whole Fennel, Black Pepper, Cultured Celery Powder, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Rosemary Extract, Ground Coriander, Oregano, Ground Allspice.
The pork used is guaranteed to be raised with no antibiotics and no added hormones. This pork is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to roam about outside. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade consists of just water.
Being that by nature sausages are not whole sliced muscles of meat, one ingredient rating is deducted.
There are plenty of healthy ingredients added, such as granulated garlic, whole fennel, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, rosemary extract, ground coriander, oregano, and ground allspice.
The sugar level is great at only 1 gram of sugar per 28 grams of sausages. The salt level is a little high at 400mg salt per 28 grams of sausages. However, the salt level is ignored because minimally processed sea salt is used as opposed to highly refined table salt.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, sea salt, encapsulated citric acid, and cultured celery powder to a lesser extent acts as preservatives. Admirably, this jerky qualifies to have no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
PACIFIC GOLD RESERVE – SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGES
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell the vinegar. The two pieces in my bag look like small pepperettes. The sausages are soft and slightly moist, and they leave an ever so tiny oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the sausage, I taste salt, pepper, garlic, vinegar, as well as a slight kick in the background. There is a mystery ingredient that I am tasting, not quite sure what it is. Is it possibly some kind of Italian seasoning? Whatever it is, I kind of like it.
My only real complaints are that the casing is missing a ‘snap’, and the sausages are too soft for my liking. I would have preferred a little more rigidity to my sausage. I would rate these sausages a high 8 or a low 9/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Stéphane had to say: “I am quite impressed with the Pacific Gold Reserve Sweet Italian Sausage. This little gem does taste as a quality sausage should. The flavor profile carries some flavorful floral notes from the herbs. The aroma is peppery and pleasant to the nose and the sausage has a tender and clean bite.”
“I am duly impressed with this Pacific Gold Reserve Sweet Italian Sausage. It took me by surprise and I’d certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a great tasting new experience.”
“This is a 10/10 taste rating in my book.”
Here is what Mark had to say about this Italian sausages flavor from Pacific Gold Reserve: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the honest taste reviews. Italian is a complex flavor with a distinct taste. You recognize the taste right away, and Pacific Gold Reserve nails the Italian aspect of the flavor. The overall taste profile is well-balanced, and quite delicious. True, there is very little ‘snap’ to these sausages casing.”
“Due to COVID-19, we are down to four members from the Group of Seven. Mark M. also loved this flavor, awarding a 10 taste rating. I was willing to award a 10 rating here, but with the lack of ‘snap’, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating is warranted.”
This 4 ounce/113 gram bag sold for $2.99, which works out to 75 cents an ounce. That rates at an extremely cheap price. Granted, the bag was purchased at a discount store.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable-professional looking plastic bag has everything imprinted on to the bag itself, both on the front and back. On the front and back there are high resolution pictures of fresh garlic and whole fennel. The
Pacific Gold Reserve logo has a bridge in the background.
A slogan printed on this bag is “As Good As It Gets”. Some facts printed on this bag are “No Artificial Ingredients”, “Made With Sea Salt”, “Good Source of Protein”, Gluten Free”, “No Nitrite/Nitrates Added”, “No MSG”, and “No Corn Syrup”. On the Flavor Meter, this flavor is advertised as a little spicy, medium sweetness, and full savory.
All bag categories are covered here. Commendably, a toll-free phone number is provided for customer inquiries. There is a good blurb printed on the back of the bag about Pacific Gold Reserve.
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