Sauce Awards 2024: The top 5 hot sauces of the year

The Bauce Brothers Hot Sauce Awards 2024: Celebrating the Best in UK Craft Hot Sauce

Back in 2019, when we first launched Bauce Brothers, we had one simple mission: to celebrate the incredible innovation happening in the UK hot sauce scene. At the time, craft hot sauce was bubbling under the surface, with passionate makers experimenting with bold flavors, complex ferments, and heat that left a lasting impression. We knew something special was happening, so we set out to document every hot sauce we tried—what we loved, what we didn't, and what truly made a sauce stand out.

Through this journey, we developed our own ranking system based on three key pillars that define a great hot sauce:

🤤 Flavor — Does the sauce leave your mouth in a better state than it started? Does it balance acidity, sweetness, spice, and umami to create something truly special?

🥵 Heat Balance — Are the chilies overpowering, or do they complement the other ingredients? Does the heat build gradually or hit you all at once? The best hot sauces find the perfect balance.

🎨 Artwork & Branding — A great craft hot sauce should look as good as it tastes. Is the bottle design bold and creative? Does it feel like an artisanal, high-quality product rather than something that needs a hazard warning?

These three pillars help us separate the best from the rest, ensuring that every bottle we stock, review, or recommend brings something special to the table. But here's the thing—every hot sauce is unique. A sauce that shines on its own might transform when drizzled over tacos or stirred into a stew. That's why hot sauces need repeated testing—because the right pairing can elevate a sauce from good to legendary.

The Five Hot Sauce Categories

The UK's hot sauce revolution has seen unprecedented innovation in the last five years. Artisanal makers are pushing boundaries, collaborating with chefs, breweries, and food brands while experimenting with fermentation, exotic ingredients, and some of the world's hottest chilies. To celebrate this explosion of flavor, we've broken the Bauce Brothers Hot Sauce Awards 2024 into five key categories.

🙌 BEST COLLAB

The UK hot sauce scene is booming. As makers push boundaries, we've seen amazing collaborations—both expected and completely surprising. Whether it's partnering with a top-tier restaurant, an indie beer brand, or even a crisp company, this category celebrates sauces that prove two creative minds are better than one.

🎃 BEST WILD CARD

This category celebrates the hot sauce alchemists—makers who throw out the rulebook and experiment with the unexpected. We're talking hot sauces made with truffle, peanut butter, whisky, or even coffee. Some of these combinations shouldn't work on paper, but in reality, they're pure magic. This award honors the bravest and most creative minds in UK craft hot sauce.

🔥 BEST CALIENTE

Let's be real—if a hot sauce doesn't pack a punch, is it even worth it? But there's a fine line between serious heat and pointless pain. The best super-hot sauces balance their fire with deep, rich flavor. This award recognizes makers who have mastered using super-hot chilies like Carolina Reapers, Ghost Peppers, or Scotch Bonnets while maintaining incredible taste.

🌶️ BEST CLASSICO

Some hot sauces are special occasions, but others become daily essentials. This category is for the everyday hot sauce—the one you drizzle on eggs, splash onto pizza, or keep in your bag just in case. Some might even say it's tattoo-worthy. Whether it's a clean habanero sauce, a reliable Sriracha, or a perfectly balanced vinegar-forward classic, this category celebrates the sauces that never let you down.

🧪 BEST FERMENT

Fermentation has ancient roots, but it's experiencing a renaissance in craft hot sauce. When done right, fermentation creates depth, complexity, and an umami boost that elevates a sauce beyond mere heat. This category honors the fermentation masters who use time, patience, and nature's power to create next-level hot sauces.

The Judging Process

For 2024, we raised the bar. We invited five expert judges—hot sauce aficionados, chefs, and flavour obsessives—to taste and rate every finalist across all categories. Each sauce underwent multiple tests, from straight spoonfuls to food pairings, ensuring we captured its full potential.

After hours of heat, sweat, and serious sauce appreciation, we crowned winners for each category. The results? A mix of surprises, familiar faces, and game-changing hot sauces that will soon become your new favorites.

The Future of UK Craft Hot Sauce

The UK's hot sauce scene is evolving rapidly. New makers are emerging, favorites are innovating, and craft hot sauce is becoming as essential as craft beer. The demand for high-quality, small-batch, locally made hot sauces keeps growing, and we're here for it.

As Bauce Brothers, we'll continue to spotlight the UK's best hot sauces, discover rising stars, and celebrate the passion, creativity, and fiery innovation that make this scene special.

🔥 Ready to explore the best hot sauces in the UK? Check out the award winning sauces here.