This is my personal apocalypse. 

I don't drink booze, I don't smoke or vape.  Weed makes me paranoid and miserable (edibles make me trip balls in addition to being paranoid and miserable.)  I sure as fuck don't mess with any powder or pill drugs.  While I am a believer and advocate of the use of natural psychedelics for purposes of therapy and personal growth, I'd never do them recreationally.  Tapatio is my one drug. 

Long term listeners may recall when I told the tale of driving to a Walmart Black Citadel Super Center in W.Mass to buy them out of Tapatio.  I've done that two other time, but not photographed it.  I did the math once and I went through ten 32oz bottles in 2 1/2 years, or about four per year.  I've had dozens of other brands of hot sauces.  Many are weak, some are insanely spicy (extracts are just dumb), and most taste rather bad.  Tapatio isn't the hottest of the widely available brands, but it's the best balance of heat and flavor.

Vulture capital is the ruiner of all things good. I fully expect Tapatio to turn into something on par with Frank's Red Hot in the next six months.  I posted in the hot sauce subreddit and already people are panic buying.  I'm seriously considering buying a box of four one-gallon jugs and a pump (usually sold to the restaurant market.)  This is a nightmare.

DIY is the way!

I feel ya.  My personal tastes are much more varied, but...I get it.  Sometimes, there is just nothing else like it.  Condolences/sympathies.

Yellowbird Jalapeño is my go-to hot sauce at home, but I always look for Tapatío at restaurants.

As mentioned, DIY is probably your best option. Sorry to hear that — everyone needs at least one vice. I have too many to mention.

Edited March 22Mar 22 by robm321

Dang!  I would at least do the gallon jug thing and then cross my fingers and hope for the best.  I had considered the DIY route as well but Tobasco and Franks Red Hot are good enough for me from the store.  Plus my kids always buy me hot sauce samplers so I'm always trying something new.

Here's something to try

10-15 arbol, 5 guajillo, and 1 ancho peppers - all dried (you can re hydrate or simmer for longer)

2 garlic cloves

1/2 tsps of cumin, pepper, oregano

1 Tbsp of salt - (Salt and vinegar are key to a Tapatio clone)

3/4 - 1 cup vinegar

Water to balance the solution so it barely covers the ingredients. However, you should have much more vinegar than water.

Simmer for a LONG time. 15-30 mins.

Blend and run through a mesh to pick up any dried bits of pepper.

 

Yeah that looks good. IMHO, too much vinegar is the key. I suggest modeling in LTSpice

Edited March 22Mar 22 by luvdunhill

20 hours ago, robm321 said:

Yellowbird Jalapeño is my go-to hot sauce at home, but I always look for Tapatío at restaurants.

As mentioned, DIY is probably your best option. Sorry to hear that — everyone needs at least one vice. I have too many to mention.

Love Yellowbird but prefer the habanero. 

The Hatch Yellowbird is also really solid. I think it’s limited edition though. 

That sounds great - I’ll look for it.