Walgreens is one of the largest and most recognized pharmacy chains in the United States, with a history dating back to 1901. Walgreens operates thousands of stores nationwide, offering a wide range of products and services, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, health and wellness products, beauty items, and everyday essentials. The company is known for its convenient locations, often open 24 hours, and for providing accessible healthcare services.
The Nice! brand is a Walgreens private label that offers a wide range of everyday products, including snacks, beverages, household essentials, and health items. Launched to provide quality products at affordable prices, Nice! targets budget-conscious consumers who don’t want to compromise on quality. The brand is designed to offer value through competitive pricing, straightforward packaging, and a focus on everyday necessities. This Nice! brand is distributed under the name of 2016 Walgren Co., located in Deerfield, Illinois.
The next review on Nice! will focus on a 2.5 ounce/71 gram bag of their Maple flavored bacon jerky. This bag was purchased at a Walgreens store in Chicago, Illinois.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Pork Cured With Water, Sugar, Natural Smoke Flavor, Maple Flavor (Natural and Artificial Flavors, Lactic Acid), Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite.
The pork used is guaranteed to be raised ethically 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 is comprised of just plain old water.
The only healthy ingredient added is natural maple flavor, although that is hard to say.
Artificial maple flavor is used to lose a rating.
The sugar level is acceptable at 4 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky for a sweet based flavor. The salt level is high at 540mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite added as sodium nitrite is used outright, along with sodium erythorbate as preservatives to lose a rating. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
NICE! – MAPLE BACON JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell sweet (maple). The strips are mostly smallish and rather thin. It actually looks like bacon strips, just not as long. The jerky is shaped and feels like bacon. Therefore, there is a bit of an oily residue left on your fingers as you handle it.
The first flavors I encounter are salt, at a decent level, sweet (maple), yet not too sweet, just right. I also taste basically the same as if I was eating bacon. I taste mild pepper, possibly mild garlic, and not much else.
There is a fair amount of fat on these jerky strips, which tends to enhance the flavor.
Overall, I have no complaints other than the taste of maple is not prominent. This is one of the better (best?) maple bacon jerky strips I have tried to this point, therefore a well-deserved 9/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Maple bacon jerky flavor from Nice!: “Thanks Paul for the candid taste review. Being advertised as 100% real bacon, which it is, what is there to complain about bacon strips? The fat is very generous, and the saltiness is on par with bacon. Thankfully, the sweetness does not go overboard.”
“I 100% agree that the taste of maple is lacking. In the background, there is a light smoked flavor. This bacon is more reminiscent of regular bacon than bacon jerky. A unanimous Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 2.5 ounce/71 gram bag of jerky sells for $6.49, which equates to $2.60 an ounce. That rates as a cheap price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable bag has everything imprinted onto the bag. A high resolution picture on the front of bacon strips and a bottle of maple syrup.
Some slogans printed on this bag are “Savor. Simple. Honest. Delicious.” and “Savor Nice!” Some facts printed are “Premium”, “Hickory Smoked”, “100% Real Bacon”, “10g Protein” and “USA Made”.
The only missing bag category is a transparent window to view the jerky. A good blurb about bacon jerky is printed on the back. A 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is offered. To Walgreens credit, a toll-free phone number is provided for customer inquiries.
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