Our Story

When legendary entrepreneur Carl DeSantis sold his company, Rexall Sundown, in 2000 at the age of 60, a well-deserved retirement was the logical next step. Carl tried that for a while, but it didn’t come naturally to him. After a career of finding opportunities to make people’s lives better, it becomes hard to turn off. During a vacation / spiritual retreat in the beautiful state of Tabasco, Mexico, Carl realized the magnificent hot sauces and spices he tasted there were nowhere to be found back in the United States. He recognized that here in the states most hot sauces are too vinegary and lack taste, while others are heavy on heat but have no flavor.

When legendary entrepreneur Carl DeSantis sold his company, Rexall Sundown, in 2000 at the age of 60, a well-deserved retirement was the logical next step. Carl tried that for a while, but it didn’t come naturally to him. After a career of finding opportunities to make people’s lives better, it becomes hard to turn off.

During a vacation / spiritual retreat in the beautiful state of Tabasco, Mexico, Carl realized the magnificent hot sauces and spices he tasted there were nowhere to be found back in the United States. He recognized that here in the states most hot sauces are too vinegary and lack taste, while others are heavy on heat but have no flavor. 

Vacation forgotten, he immediately went to work with local growers and manufacturers to craft our recipe. Carl and his team came up with a one of a kind blend of Habanero peppers, which are still sourced solely from Tabasco, Mexico, and simple, natural ingredients such as carrots, onions, and key limes to create our distinctive Tabanero Original. Carl’s goal was simple, but his ambition was big--he wanted to create the most flavorful hot sauce in the world. We think we have.

Tabañero proudly serves a selection of hot sauces, spice blends, and cocktail mixes that bring the flavor to every meal. While each product is uniquely tasty in its own way, every Tabañero product relies on the rich flavors already found in the natural ingredients used to make them. Don’t believe us? Try Tabañero for yourself.