I’ve seen my fair share of social shopping flops, the kind where you’re caught up in the whirlwind of a viral hit only to find out you’ve fallen for a dud. Picture this: a neck cream that’s merely a cheap imitation, a sling carrier that sends my old Yorkie into a panic, and a leaky bottle of chili crisp that ensures my mailman is no longer on speaking terms with me. Yet, amidst these disasters, there’s always a shining gem that makes it all worthwhile. Enter Final Boss Sour, a super sour candy made from genuine dried fruit that’s been trending on my feeds and, fortunately, delivering on its promise.
This product, brought to life by James Hicks and Tommy Riggs—veterans of Science Inc., known for successes like Liquid Death and Dollar Shave Club—embraces humor and nostalgia, particularly from the retro gaming era. Final Boss Sour goes all in with its quirky mythology. It tells a tale of Hank, a disgruntled honey badger who unwittingly unleashes the sour essence of an ancient sorcerer. Alongside his bubbly companion, a sugar-loving quokka named Quinnie, Hank sets off to reclaim Gooberland using sour fruits to build their power. And that’s just scratching the surface—mini-villains have their own story arcs, expanded upon by the delightfully crafted newsletter, The Gooberland Gazette. This isn’t just candy; it’s a whole universe you can gorge on.
While there’s sadly no retro console game to pair with the candy, Final Boss Sour offers an escapade that’s more akin to an edgy maze than a straightforward platformer. Level 1 is a fruity delight that can be enjoyed endlessly, but the escalating sour levels are no joke. Watching someone chomp on Level 2 or 3 without flinching? Insanity! Hosting game night or a drink-fueled bash? Kick things off with the VIP Destroyer Ultimate Sour Sampler Box. This lets you brave all three tiers of cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries, forming an unforgettable night of shared lip-curling delight.
Even with its health-conscious promise—no artificial sweeteners or preservatives—bear in mind it’s still candy. Each pouch racks up 20-22 grams of sugar, which is a bit more than some similarly sour goodies but considerably cleaner ingredient-wise, sticking to five essentials: real dried fruit, cane sugar, sunflower oil, citric acid, and malic acid. Trust me, the sourness will punch through. It’s worth sampling a few levels yourself to see where your threshold lies. If you ask me, Level 1 Sour Strawberries are a heavenly mix of flavors.
They set the bar with special releases, sending me a Strawberry Kiwi Level 2 that temporarily banished my love for Level 1 strawberries—until, that is, I realized the drop was history. Each release becomes a must-have, with unique concoctions like Chocolate Covered Sour Cherries or the breathtakingly sour Level 4 drops. As of now, you can get your hands on Sour Grapes Level 4, but for those wary of missing out, they now offer a Monthly Drop Club.
Do you have a soft spot for classic games, or a taste for the electrifyingly sour? Then Final Boss Sour is for you. They offer your first box free with a purchase directly from their website. But be warned: it starts with one trial, and soon enough, you’re hooked.
Full disclosure: this review stems from a retail sample provided by Final Boss Sour. But, in my honest opinion, those initial bites led me to three personal orders. Needless to say, they’re not helping me kick this new habit…
9.9/10 – Hurts So Good
Once more, the algorithm knows me better than I do. The pure blend of fruit, sugar, and robust sourness certainly justifies the hype. It came shy of a perfect score when I misjudged Level 3’s intensity in the dark. The taste bud shock might be temporary, but the memory of that fateful movie night will linger!
