About Burnt Sky

The Spark & Obsession

Burnt Sky was born from a simple but powerful conviction: hot sauce should be an exploration of bold flavor, not just a battle with fire. The journey began in 2022, triggered by a "Hot Ones" flight—a birthday gift from my wife, Amanda. Moving through that lineup was a revelation. I realized that hot sauce could possess the depth of a fine wine or a complex espresso. Inspired by the nuanced profiles of makers like Queen Majesty, I set out to build something that prioritized culinary complexity over pure capsaicin.

When I couldn't find the peppers I envisioned in local stores, I turned to the earth. I began cultivating my own Ghost, Reaper, and Chocolate Habanero varieties. This garden-to-bottle necessity pushed me to get creative, experimenting with unexpected ingredients like FSC Roasters espresso, fresh sage, and citrus. What started as a kitchen overflowing with garden experiments soon became an obsession.

The Trigo Litmus Test

The transition from hobby to craft producer happened the moment my friend Patrick Griffin—Chef and owner of Trigo—put my sauce to the ultimate test. He featured it on the menu at his restaurant, an establishment known for its elevated, intentional approach to food

Seeing my sauces stand up to that professional standard changed everything. The feedback from the Trigo kitchen and its diners became my benchmark. Patrick’s belief in the product didn't just give my sauce a home; it gave me the confidence to build a company worthy of the craft.

Refining the Craft

The road from a home garden to a licensed facility was a year-long deep dive into the details. I spent 2024 meticulously refining processes, securing certifications, and designing an aesthetic that captured the "independent artsy" spirit of the brand. I wanted the labels to look as vibrant and layered as the liquid inside.

In early 2025, Burnt Sky officially went live. This journey was fueled by a commitment to the craft and made possible by the unwavering support of my wife, Amanda—the true foundation of this dream. We aren't just making sauce; we're bottling a passion for elevated heat. We can’t wait for you to taste the result.