Rickey’s Jerky is a family‑owned, veteran‑led jerky brand based in the USA that began as a humble mom‑and‑pop stall at farmers’ markets in 2014 and has since grown into a nationwide movement. Crafted with grit, discipline, and integrity, their flagship beef jerky is made from USDA Choice American beef, seasoned, smoked (not merely dehydrated), and packaged using traditional, time‑tested methods. Rickey’s Jerky is bold, simple, and packed with protein, gluten‑free, keto‑friendly, and allergen‑conscious, available in a wide range of flavors and variety packs.
While their beef line features 100% domestic cuts with no nitrates, MSG, or high‑fructose corn syrup, Rickey’s Jerky also prides itself on an exotic meats selection, such as think elk, bison, wild boar, alligator, and even kangaroo—all sourced from trusted suppliers in the U.S. and abroad and held to rigorous safety standards. Each batch is handmade in small batches, ensuring quality and care, and sold directly by real people at fairs, festivals, rodeos, and markets nationwide. Rickey’s Jerky isn’t just a snack company; it’s a community‑driven brand built on personal connections and shared passion—hand‑shaking, story‑telling, and jerky‑slinging one bag at a time.
This Rickey’s Jerky brand is distributed under the same name as Rickey’s Jerky, located in St Petersburg, Florida. This jerky is manufactured by Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, and is located in Hubbard, Oregon.
The first review on Rickey’s Jerky will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of Maple Whiskey flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as sweet, tender, and juicy, with delightful maple characteristics, and is crafted with a special bourbon from Kentucky. The bag was purchased online from Amazon.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Brown Sugar, Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Sea Salt, Natural Smoke Flavoring, Garlic Powder, Cultured Celery Powder (Celery Powder, Sea Salt), Black Pepper, Ginger.
This 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 is comprised of not so healthy bourbon and healthy maple syrup.
Some healthy ingredients added are garlic powder, black pepper, and ginger.
An annoying sticker affixed to this bag is blocking the sugar content. The salt level is acceptable at 270mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky qualifies to have no sodium nitrite or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, the main preservative used is sea salt, and cultured celery powder to a lesser degree. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
RICKEY’S JERKY – MAPLE BOURBON BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell very little, basically nothing. The jerky is large and thicker than most jerky we have reviewed. It is rigid enough to please our forefathers, but it is also a bit slick, and it leaves a slight oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky, I taste mild salt, very mild, medium sweet, possibly higher than medium. Alas, as I eat more, the sweetness is intensifying, to the point of being a detriment. My goodness, every bite brings ridiculous sweet. I detect no pepper, garlic, or onion, and I do not taste any bourbon.
As a result, I can award no higher than a 6/10.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Maple Whiskey beef jerky flavor from Rickey’s Jerky: “Thanks Paul for the candid taste review. I think that Paul is being too harsh here. Yes, this jerky is sweet tasting but describing it as ridiculously sweet is being over the top. The taste of maple is at a decent level. The taste of bourbon is discernible, but as often happens with liquor based flavors, the boozy flavor is generally hard to detect. I am surprised that Paul did not detect the garlic, which is at a light to mild level.
“There is no sign of this beef tasting processed, but the sweetness mutes the natural beef flavor. In every bite there is a mild smokiness in the background. The combination of bourbon and maple syrup tastes surprisingly good. I am fairly confident that if no sugar was used, or at least minimal sugar was used, I would have been at a solid 10 taste rating. While the sweetness dominates this somewhat simple taste profile, there is a great combination of flavors here. With Paul at a 6 and myself at an 8, a Decent (7/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 3 ounce/85 gram bag of jerky sells online for $13.00, which equates to $4.33 an ounce. That rates as an expensive price.
Bag Review
This clear plastic non-resealable bag has a label affixed to the front and nothing on the back. The Rickey’s Jerky logo has a smiling cow wearing a baseball cap. This bag is vacuum sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting.
There are no slogans displayed on this bag. Some facts printed are “Proudly Made in the USA”, “Simple Ingredients”, “Simply Delicious”, “American Made”, “Handcrafted Beef Jerky”, and “Gluten Free”.
The only missing bag category is a blurb about this jerky or flavor.
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