REVIEW: Doritos JACKED – Test Flavor: 404 (Caribbean Citrus Jerk)

Rating: ©©©©-1/4 chips  (lip-smacking)

*UPDATED: 7/8/14 (upon flavor reveal)

Now that Doritos has disclosed that the winning flavor of their Bold Flavor Experiment is none other than Test Flavor: 855, we felt like this entire experiment, and experience, deserved a bit more conversation.

Test Flavor: 404: Caribbean Citrus Jerk

Our final ranking: 1st place 2nd place

Thoughts on the reveal:  Honestly, we would prefer the name to be Caribbean Jerk.  Inserting the ‘Citrus’ adjective simply seems forced, and unnecessary.  That being said, we love Doritos’ decision, and execution, with this flavor.  Upon revisiting the flavors after their reveal, we really do taste the Caribbean Jerk flavor notes.  Based on all of the comments below, Doritos really had people going with this one.  Everything from curry, to Asian wings, to Cajun crawfish, to even Samosa cookies.  Thank you Doritos for such an amazing flavor experiment!

>> Original Review Below <<

Just the other day we reviewed the first of Doritos three all new ‘Test Flavors”.  Number 2653.  That’s right, two-six-five-three, or perhaps, twenty-six, fifty-three.  All of course depending upon how you recognize different number configurations.  Either way, 2653 has a really nice ring to it doesn’t it?  “Please pass the the 2653’s.”  “Honey, make sure you grab some 2653’s at the store!”  “What’s your favorite flavor?  2653 of course!”

Rather than bore you with a bunch of repetitive wittiness lifted from our first Test Flavor review, we will simply direct you to head on over there, to hear what we think about Doritos Bold Flavor Experiment (which is really pretty brilliant don’t you think)!?!

*Quick side note: We here at Chip Review have never been the hugest fans of the JACKED line from Doritos.  They are indeed – BIGGER – BOLDER & THICKER, and while we have no problem with the bolder aspect (bolder of course equaling more flavor); our issue with the JACKED Doritos lies in the tortilla chips themselves.  The chips just seem too big, and their texture is so thick that they no longer encompass that perfect Doritos light, crispy crunch that we all know and love. *end side note

Well, regardless of a special “flavor experiment”, or ‘test flavor 1-2-3-4-5″, we are always excited when we spot new Doritos on our local supermarket shelves (slightly less excited when they are the JACKED version, but still excited)!  Doritos have stood the test of time, and we expect that one day our grandchildren’s children will be writing reviews about some deliciously new ginger tree-bark flavored tortilla chips!  We will not delve deeply into our thoughts on what we think either of the two other flavors may possibly be, but based solely on their listed ingredients, we suspect that from Test Flavor: 855 we could be getting some form of hot wings with bleu cheese (too simple, and safe – we know, probably not).  From Test Flavor: 2653*, we suspect to taste some spicy chocolate (which could really compliment Doritos corn tortilla chips). *now that we have tasted the 2653’s, you can find out what flavor we really think they are over here.

As for Test Flavor: 404, well, let’s just say that this bag’s ingredients made us think we were going to love them the most!  But, what they really ended up tasting like, versus what we expected them to taste like, were not one in the same.  Yet, despite still tasting pretty lip-smacking, we really cannot pinpoint what we were tasting.  Let’s break down what we thought: 1) Loads of sweet citrus notes propelled from the bag when we opened it.  The aroma really accentuates the true corn tortilla essence.  2) CITRUS – lime and orange.  3) The sweetness is evident, but not overwhelming.  Very complimentary to the citrus.  4) The more JACKED chips we ate, the more pronounced, and powerful, the citrus flavor really became.  5) garlic.  When combined with the sweet citrus, evoked thoughts of Asian sweet and sour.  6) Light vinegar splash added some depth.  7) The real stumper was the indecipherable combination of generically defined “spices”.  It definitely did not help matters for distinguishing what we were tasting, but it did help us to not stop eating!  8) Have we mentioned citrus?!

So, in the end, what do we think Doritos has attempted to create with Test Flavor: 404?? Drum roll please……..

Our money is on (actually we are not willing to put our money on anything for these ones, that’s right Doritos you stumped us!).  However, if we were using your money, we may be willing to put some on: sweet garlic mojo!!  Or, maybe lime splashed chorizo tacos? Spicy chile margherita? Sweet and Sour? Sweet & Sour Chile?  Oh heck, we’re sticking with 404!

There you have it.  Another one of three test flavors down the review hatch.  Anyone else out there tried them yet? Thoughts?

As always we would love to hear what you think.  Agree or disagree.  Let us know.

Chips discovered at Target; Willowbrook, Illinois

Doritos Official Website

Chip Ratings Scale:

(1/4 increments)

© – return to sender

©© – tolerable

©©© – notable

©©©© – lip-smacking

©©©©© – “A” list