Dr. HotSauce x Mic’s Chilli – The Craft of Artisan Hot Sauce
Today I met with Mic, founder of Mic’s Chilli, a leading name in the world of artisan hot sauces. For over ten years, his carefully crafted recipes have won over spice lovers around the globe. He shared with me how it all began, his creative process, and his vision for the future.
How did your hot sauce journey begin?
Mic:
It started when I was 16. In Ireland during the 1980s and 1990s, spicy food was almost nonexistent. In 1994, a family trip to Belize changed everything. Every table had a bottle of hot sauce. I decided to try them all, and that moment sparked something in me.
Back in Ireland, everything tasted bland. I began cooking and experimenting with recipes tirelessly. Years later, in 2010, I launched Mic’s Chilli with my first sauce: Inferno Original. It was an instant success.
Today, we offer fifteen handcrafted hot sauces, from mild to intense, made in County Wicklow without additives or artificial flavors.
What makes your sauces stand out?
Mic:
I always aim for a precise balance between depth of flavor and heat. Every sauce is handmade in small batches using natural ingredients. We also pay close attention to our visual identity, which reflects our quality and style.
What’s the key ingredient in your recipes?
Mic:
The habanero chili. It was the first real chili I tasted in Belize, and it remains my favorite. It has an intense fruity flavor and a balanced heat. You’ll find it in our Inferno range and many other sauces.
How long does it take to develop a new sauce?
Mic:
Usually between two and six months, depending on the complexity of the recipe. We often make more than twenty versions before we get it right. It’s a careful process where every detail matters.
Do you have a favorite sauce?
Mic:
Inferno Original is still the most meaningful to me. It embodies everything I love about hot sauce: rich flavors, controlled heat, and Latin American inspiration. It’s also the sauce that started our journey.
How do you select your chilies?
Mic:
We work directly with farms that follow high cultivation standards and treat their workers fairly. This ensures freshness and consistent flavor, which are essential for artisanal production.
What’s the most challenging part of your work?
Mic:
Innovation and production are my favorite parts. The real challenges come from global economic and political contexts: the pandemic, Brexit, rising costs… These external factors require constant adaptation.
Any memorable kitchen stories?
Mic:
While developing Voodoo Reaper, which contains over 50% Carolina Reaper, there were a few incidents. A small amount of this chili in the eye is unforgettable. It’s a reminder of how careful we need to be.
What advice would you give to someone starting their own hot sauce brand?
Mic:
Think about everything from the start. Flavor is crucial, but so are food safety, regulations, logistics, and branding. A great sauce isn’t enough if the rest isn’t solid.
Where do you see Mic’s Chilli in ten years?
Mic:
Still crafting artisanal sauces with the same dedication. I want to keep exploring new flavors, developing original recipes, and evolving while staying true to our values.
My Dr. HotSauce Perspective
Speaking with Mic revealed more than just a producer of hot sauces. His approach is precise, passionate, and forward-thinking. Behind every bottle lies years of work, rigorous chili selection, and a commitment to authentic taste.
Today, Mic’s Chilli stands as a benchmark in the artisan hot sauce world.
Discover the full range on the Mic’s Chilli .
