I first discovered Branding Iron beef jerky back in 2010 on a trip to California. The brand name may be named JW Branding Iron. The ingredient list has since been cleaned up by removing MSG and sodium nitrite. This Branding Iron jerky brand is distributed under the name of J.W. Distributing Inc., and it is located in Lindon, California, USA. This Branding Iron jerky brand is manufactured by the private labeler company Werner Gourmet Meat Snacks Inc., and it is located in Tillamook, Oregon.
The next review on Branding Iron will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their Peppered flavored beef jerky. This bag was purchased at a gas station in Oxnard, California, USA.
Ingredient Review
Beef, Brown Sugar, Sea Salt, Spices, White Vinegar, Celery Powder, Garlic, Gluten Free Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt). Allergen Warnings: Soy
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.
The liquid marinade consists of healthy vinegar and a gluten free soy sauce.
The sugar level is on the high side at 8 grams of sugar per 28 grams of sugar to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is high at 650mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. However, the salt level is ignored because healthy, minimally processed sea salt is used.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, sea salt and, to a lesser degree, vinegar and celery powder act as the main preservative. Admirably, this jerky qualifies to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
BRANDING IRON – PEPPERED BEEF JERKY (RECIPE #2)
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I immediately smell both vinegar and pepper. The pieces are small to medium in size, and they are sliced rather thin. The jerky is somewhere between soft and chewy, and there is no oily residue left on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky I immediately am lambasted with two very prominent flavors, those being both salt and pepper. They are grabbing this jerky by the cojones and seriously enhancing the overall flavor. I also detect mild sweet, slight natural beef, even though this is apparently processed beef.
Overall this is quite the delicious flavor of jerky. I am duly impressed. A 10/10 in my humble opinion. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
The Branding Iron Peppered Jerky is good, and it could be more. The black pepper level is fantastic. I acknowledge a little sweetness pair well with black pepper. However, I find the jerky to be a little too sweet, and it is distracting from the rest. The smokiness is too light, and it could be a little amped up to add more complexity.
This jerky’s texture is fine, but it has a “big brand manufacturer ” taste and feel to it where I was hoping for more of an artisan taste of “Je ne sais quoi”.
At any rate, The Branding Iron Peppered Jerky tastes good, but I wasn’t enamored. I believe a few tweaks, a well balance flavor profile and this could be a solid product. I’d rate this jerky 8/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Peppered beef jerky flavor from Branding Iron: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the contrasting taste reviews. I lean toward Stéphane here. Yes, the black pepper is at a good level. I did not pick up on any smoked flavor present. My complaints are the flavor is a bit too sweet tasting for my liking. The other complaint is the natural beef flavor, which has that familiar processed big brand flavor. Other than that, this flavor tastes good. With Paul at a 10 rating and Stéphane and myself at an 8 taste rating, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 3 ounce/85 gram bag of jerky is believed to have been sold for $8.25, which equates to $2.75 an ounce. That rates as an average price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable stock jerky plastic bag has labels affixed to the front and back.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. Some facts printed on this bag are “Made in USA” and “Natural Wood Smoked”.
Some missing bag categories are the jerky weight not stated in grams, a blurb about this jerky and/or flavor, graphics, quite a bit of unused space, and a soy allergen alert. To the credit of Branding Iron, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries.
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