Jack Links Beef Jerky New Flavor Collaboration has raised the bar for snack enthusiasts by teaming up with renowned brands Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Flamin’ Hot to introduce an unprecedented snacking adventure. By blending iconic flavors such as Fritos Chili Cheese and the fiery zest of Flamin’ Hot with their premium meat products, they aim to offer a novel taste experience that defies expectations.
This partnership promises to cater to diverse palates through a variety of formats including Beef Jerky, Meat Sticks, and Cheese Stick combos, all available nationwide in stores and online, making it effortlessly accessible to eager fans. The collaboration extends to Dr Pepper, introducing meat sticks and beef jerky infused with the unique blend of 23 flavors that the beverage is famous for, further cementing Jack Link’s position as a pioneer in snack brand product mashups.
Takeaways
- Jack Link’s recent collaboration with iconic snack brands introduces a bold twist in the beef jerky market.
- The Fritos Chili Cheese Beef Jerky was overpriced and underdelivered, both in concept and flavor.
- The Spicy Sweet Chili Beef Jerky doesn’t completely echo its chip counterpart, which might surprise those expecting a direct translation of the familiar chip flavor.
- The Flamin’ Hot Beef Jerky delivers a robust spice level that lives up to its name, though it deviates slightly by missing the characteristic citric tang of Flamin’ Hot Snacks.
Criteria
To evaluate Jack Link’s Beef Jerky’s new flavor collaborations, the following criteria have been established:
- Cost (x1 Point)
Cost assessment is crucial as it sets the initial expectations for value. Jack Link’s products, such as the Original Beef Jerky and Teriyaki Beef Jerky, are inferred to start at a price point of $5.99, providing a baseline for comparison against the new flavors. - Delivery (x2 Points)
This criterion examines whether the actual product experience aligns with its description. It’s important to determine if flavors like Flamin’ Hot deliver on their promise of intense heat without the characteristic citric tang, as this can influence consumer satisfaction. - Flavor (x3 Points)
The core of the taste test, flavor, is evaluated based on its appeal and how well it matches or complements the traditional taste profiles of Jack Link’s. This includes reviewing how the new collaborations fare against the well-rated existing flavors such as Peppered Beef Jerky, which holds a 4.7 star rating from 438 reviews.
Each of these criteria will be rated on a scale of 1-5 and multiplied by the corresponding points to provide a comprehensive review of each flavor’s performance in terms of cost-effectiveness, delivery of promised experience, and overall taste satisfaction.
Jack Links Fritos Chili Cheese
Introduction to Fritos Chili Cheese Collaboration
Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, in collaboration with Fritos-Lay, has introduced the Fritos Chili Cheese flavor as part of their innovative product mashups. This new offering aims to blend the distinct chili and cheese taste of Fritos with the robust texture of beef jerky, creating a unique snack option for consumers.
Cost 3/5
At $8.49 for the 2.65 oz bag, the only reason I purchased the bag was to write this blog post. I was most tempted to try the chili cheese jerky since Frito’s Chili Cheese is one of my favorite chips. But I could not fathom paying over $2 more than the original and newly launched flavors. Despite this, people pay a pretty penny for premium jerky, so $8.49 may be a steal depending on the consumer.
Delivery 4/5
The Fritos Chili Cheese beef jerky delivers a subtle chili and cheese flavor that echoes the beloved Fritos Chili Cheese snacks. However, the jerky’s strong beef flavor might overpower the subtle notes of chili and cheese. Despite this, the aftertaste prominently brings back the chili and cheese flavors, suggesting a complex flavor profile that might appeal to those who enjoy layered tastes.
Flavor 3/5
As much as I wanted to love this flavor, and as much as it just made so much sense to do, the overall experience was quite disappointing. While it tasted like Fritos Chili Cheese, I found myself bored throughout the entire eating experience. Maybe my high expectations got the best of me, but I don’t see myself buying this again; especially at the steep price of $8.49.
Rating: 20/30
Jack Links Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili
Introduction to Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Collaboration
Jack Link’s has expanded its intriguing lineup of flavors through a collaboration with Frito-Lay, introducing the Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Beef Jerky. This product aims to capture the essence of Doritos’ beloved Spicy Sweet Chili chips, blending sweet and spicy notes with the traditional texture of beef jerky.
Cost 5/5
Priced at $5.99, there’s no additional cost in trying the new Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Beef Jerky.
Delivery 3/5
Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili is one of my favorite Doritos flavors (After the New Sizzlin’ Cheese Burger Flavor -10/10). Despite its promise, the jerky diverges from expectations with a pronounced sweetness and an underwhelming spice level, which might not fully resonate with fans looking for the authentic Doritos flavor.
Flavor 3/5
Similar to the delivery, there was not much to taste. While edible, there was no craving to go back for more. So far, chip flavors on Jerky are turning out to be a bad idea.
Rating: 20/30
Jack Links Flamin’ Hot
Introduction to Flamin’ Hot Collaboration
Jack Link’s collaboration with Frito-Lay brings the fiery zest of Flamin’ Hot to the robust world of beef jerky. This product mash-up combines the traditional beefy flavor of Jack Link’s jerky with the intense heat that Flamin’ Hot fans crave, albeit with a twist. Unlike typical Flamin’ Hot products, this jerky iteration lacks the citric tang, offering a unique spicy experience tailored for meat lovers.
Cost 5/5
Like the Spicy Sweet Chili, Flamin’ Hot Beef Jerky retains the $5.99 price; making it zero to low risk of giving these a try.
Delivery 5/5
Honestly, I would be surprised if this flavor was unable to deliver. Something about the Flamin’ Hot spice blend makes it impossible not to deliver. Not only did these deliver, they nailed it out of the park. My five out of five rating should not come as a surprise as I was also impressed with the Dinamita’s Flamin’ Hot Queso Flavor.
Flavor 5/5
I HATE Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Like HATE it! Anyone who can happily consume an entire bag cannot be trusted. That being said, the Flamin’ Hot profile on Beef Jerky just works. It’s almost as if the flavor profile was meant for Beef Jerky this entire time. While it’s still not something I can eat much of, I can’t deny that this will be the craze of anyone who loves Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and maybe even convert haters like me.
Rating: 30/30
Final Verdict
Through an inventive collaboration with notable snack leaders like Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Flamin’ Hot, Jack Link’s has undeniably elevated the snacking game by introducing a range of new flavors that promise a unique tasting experience. From the Fritos Chili Cheese’s bold blend to the fiery zest of Flamin’ Hot, each variant has been tailored to cater to varied palates, though it’s clear that the success of these flavors hinges on appreciating their novelty rather than seeking direct flavor replicas of their chip counterparts. While the Flamin’ Hot variant emerged as a particularly noteworthy addition for its intense heat and faithful delivery of expectations, each new flavor contributes to a richer, more diverse snacking landscape. For those eager to explore beyond, try their new JACK LINK’S WILD® DR PEPPER INSPIRED STICKS, adding yet another dimension to their ever-expanding collection of flavors.
Rating: 70/90 (77.78% C+)
