The Jerky Junkie

In recent years there has been more a movement in various snack varieties toward reducing the amount of salt packed into snack foods. Beef Jerky has not eluded this movement. Behold! Jim Beam Bourbon Glaze Steak Strips. This particular jerky is actually made with beef brisket and sliced a bit thicker than nearly any brand I have encountered. The front of the packaging promises a roasty experience akin to a pleasant Sunday dinner on the go with a hint of sweet bourbon. Will the picture live up to the satisfaction we hope it will provide? Let us taste on.

The Jerky Scale Scores:

3 : Medium dryness

4 : Quality cuts of meat

4 : Solid and excellent texture

4 : Greater thickness

3 : Mildly sweet

2 : Low saltiness

2 : Little Spice

As a lighter, higher quality piece of snack meat this jerky is a success. Though it is not advertised as a lower salt jerky option, when checking the packaging and tasting the product you will notice a certain lack of the traditional jerky flavor. The taste of the bourbon glaze is very light and nearly saltless. If you are easily overwhelmed by the sodium-laden varieties of typical beef jerky, this is a quality option for you. Not only will your arteries thank you, but you may actually take your time to enjoy this jerky. As for the results of using a different cut of meat, it is a testament to what jerky meat can be. The thickness of the pieces alone makes you expect to find this on a dinner plate, not in the cup holder of your car. Texture wise, it was a bit dry, but not bad given the low-fat cut of meat.

The Outer Scale Scores:

5 : worth a try, worth sharing

3 : the packaging is average

The packaging on this jerky is average; not too tricky, not exactly fabulous. I won’t be saving this bag as a utilitarian memento, but it serves its purpose for keeping this classy beefy fresh.

On the whole, this is a good, different kind of beef jerky. Even my mother, someone who rather despises beef jerky, wanted a second piece after I cajoled her into the first. An exception to the usual jerky, a more heart healthy choice for the timid.

Stay tuned. There’s meat to come.