CROIX VALLEY: Sweet 'n Smokey Competition Barbecue Sauce | 355ml (12oz) glass bottle

A balanced sweet-and-smoke competition sauce

Sweet 'n Smokey is tuned for the balance competition judges look for — sweetness and smoke in equal measure, with nothing dominating. It comes from the same Hudson, Wisconsin family that's racked up nine World Championship BBQ titles.

The flavour

Front: brown sugar sweetness. Middle: a smoky depth that builds through the middle. Finish: a balanced, rounded close with neither element overpowering.

How to cook with it

• Brush onto pork ribs in the last 15–20 minutes so the sugars glaze, not burn
• Warm the bottle before brushing for an even coat
• Use as a finishing sauce on grilled chicken
• Glaze burgers in the final few minutes on the grill
• Left-field: brush over brisket burnt ends for an extra layer of sweetness

In the bottle

Rich amber-brown, thick and glossy. Clings well to a brush and caramelises gently under heat without scorching if brushed late.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients: Full ingredient statement to be confirmed from the physical label.

Dietary: Full ingredient statement not verified for this product — dietary claims to be confirmed from the physical label.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Balance is the whole point here — sweet and smoke in equal measure, built to satisfy a judge's table without leaning too hard either way. Brush it in the last twenty minutes so the sugars glaze rather than catch. Finish the plate with Falksalt's hickory smoke sea salt flakes. Safe passage on this one.

Questions answered

Is this sauce more sweet or more smoky?

It's tuned to balance the two — Croix Valley built it so neither sweetness nor smoke dominates.

Is this a competition-style sauce?

Yes, it's tuned for the balance competition judges typically look for.

What's it best on?

Pork ribs, chicken, burgers and brisket, per the brand's own recommendations.