Hickory bourbon sauce is a delicious sweet and savory condiment that packs a punch of smoky, maple, and boozy flavors. Often used in barbecue and grilling recipes, this sauce can transform meats, vegetables, and more with its unique taste profile. If you’ve never tried hickory bourbon BBQ sauce before, you may be wondering – what exactly does this sauce taste like?
Smoky Flavor
The first and most prominent flavor in hickory bourbon sauce is smokiness. Hickory smoked salt, powder, or extract is commonly used as a flavoring ingredient. The hickory smoke adds a rich, woody, campfire-like taste that makes the sauce reminiscent of food cooked over an open grill or flame. This smoky flavor pairs perfectly with meats like ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken, and sausages. The smokiness adds incredible depth of flavor and gives the sauce a savory, barbecue essence.
In addition to hickory smoke, bourbon itself also has a slight smoky undertone from the charring process used to make bourbon whiskey. So the bourbon reinforces the smoky taste even further. If you love the hearty, charred flavors of grilled foods or Southern barbecue joints, then you will instantly recognize and love the hickory smoked aroma and flavor that hits your taste buds when you try hickory bourbon sauce.
Sweet Maple Notes
While smokiness might be the most obvious taste, hickory bourbon sauce also often contains sweet maple flavorings. Maple syrup or maple sugar is commonly added to balance out the smoky flavors and add appealing sweetness. The maple tastes rich, almost caramel or butterscotch-like in quality. It adds a lovely undertone of sweetness that perfectly complements the savory smoky flavors. The maple syrup adds thickness and viscosity to give the sauce a nice, thick, glaze-like texture as well.
In addition to maple, brown sugar is also frequently used when making hickory bourbon sauces. Molasses, honey, agave or other sweeteners boost the sweetness as well. So when you taste hickory bourbon sauce, expect syrupy, sugary sweetness to offset the prominent smoky and savory flavors. The sweetness varies between recipes, from mild to very pronounced, so try a few different brands of sauce to find your preferred sweetness level.
Warming Whiskey Flavor
No sauce with “bourbon” in the name would be complete without the warming, vanilla and caramel flavors of bourbon whiskey. A generous splash of bourbon ties all the flavors together, while adding boozy depth. The whiskey gives the sauce a distinctive charred oak, wood smoke and vanilla character that complements the maple and smoke.
The alcohol also adds a noticeable warming sensation, similar to taking a sip of bourbon on its own. This whiskey flavor is often quite strong and distinctive, especially in sauces with a higher bourbon content. Some recipes use bourbon extract to add the flavor in a more subtle way. Overall, the bourbon gives hickory bourbon sauce a roundness, depth and boozy richness that sets it apart from other barbecue sauces.
Balanced Savory Profile
In addition to the smoky, sweet and bourbon notes, hickory bourbon sauce has an underlying savory flavor profile. Worcesterchire sauce is commonly added for extra umami, salty depth. Soy sauce, mustard and vinegar bump up the savoriness as well. Garlic and onion powder often provide a bit of raw allium bite. Tomatoes or tomato paste give the sauce a rich base.
Black pepper, cayenne, paprika, cloves and other spices might be used judiciously to add savory flavor without overpowering the smokiness. The spices add warmth and depth without being too hot. This savory foundation perfectly balances the sweet and smoky tastes. It gives hickory bourbon sauce a well-rounded, complex flavor. The savory taste also makes it extremely versatile for pairing with everything from grilled chicken to pulled pork sandwiches.
Thick, Glaze-Like Texture
In addition to the taste, the texture of hickory bourbon sauce is part of what makes it so delicious. Good hickory bourbon BBQ sauce will have a thick, luxurious, glaze-like texture that heavily coats and sticks to food. Maple syrup, brown sugar, bourbon and tomato paste all contribute to the thick, sticky texture. The sauce should not be watery or thin.
Many hickory bourbon sauce recipes will use cornstarch, arrowroot or other thickeners to get an ultra-rich texture. The glazy body of the sauce helps it adhere perfectly pork ribs, chicken wings, brisket and more. The thicker texture also means the sauce has a tendency to caramelize onto foods with a sweet, smoky, crispy crust. So texture and mouthfeel are very important complements to the big flavors when enjoying hickory bourbon barbecue sauce.
Ideal Uses for Hickory Bourbon Sauce
Now that you understand the taste profile, here are some of the best uses for hickory bourbon sauce:
- As a baste, glaze or finishing sauce for smoked pork ribs, beef ribs or chicken wings
- Brush onto grilled steaks, burgers or chicken breasts in the last few minutes of cooking
- Toss with smoked pulled pork or shredded chicken for sandwiches
- As a dipping sauce for grilled shrimp, chicken tenders or French fries
- Drizzled over smoked brisket, pulled pork or burnt ends
- Use as a glaze for smoked turkey, ham or salmon
- Brush onto pork chops or chicken thighs when grilling
- Toss with roasted vegetables like potatoes, cauliflower or carrots
- Drizzle over baked beans, mac and cheese or potato salad
- Use as a finishing sauce for meatloaf or meatballs
The smoky sweetness of hickory bourbon sauce pairs perfectly with nearly any grilled, smoked or barbecued dish. It also makes an incredible marinade for beef and pork. Hickory bourbon sauce can be used in countless creative ways. The recipe possibilities are endless!
How to Make Your Own Hickory Bourbon Sauce
Want to try making hickory bourbon BBQ sauce at home? It’s surprisingly easy to whip up a tasty batch yourself. Here is an example recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan and whisk together.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
- Remove from heat and cool. The sauce will thicken more upon cooling.
- Transfer to an airtight container. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Feel free to tweak this basic homemade hickory bourbon sauce recipe to your tastes. Add more bourbon for extra booziness or increase the spices if you like heat. Either way, you’ll end up with a finger-licking good barbecue sauce!
Conclusion
Hickory bourbon sauce has an incredible depth of flavor that combines smoky, sweet, boozy and savory notes all in one bottle. The prominent smokiness paired with maple sweetness, vanilla bourbon and savory seasonings creates a one-of-a-kind taste sensation. Beyond just the complex flavor, the thick, glaze-like texture of hickory bourbon sauce allows it to coat foods perfectly for caramelized, barbecue deliciousness. A touch of this sauce adds incredible flavor dimension to grilled and smoked dishes. Next time you see a recipe call for hickory bourbon sauce or spot it on store shelves, don’t hesitate to pick up a bottle. One taste and you’ll be hooked!