HQ Tasting Panel Terms

Effective November 1, 2026 · Last updated September 28, 2026

The HQ Tasting Panel is Hot Sauce HQ's own blind evaluation of sauces by HQ tasters. These terms apply to every request a brand submits and to tastings HQ starts itself. They add to the Terms of Service and Brand Terms.

1. Requests

Requests are free and unlimited. There is no yearly limit.
Each request may list up to 5 sauces, plus an optional notes box for extras.
Requests join a waitlist ordered by plan (Gold, then Silver, then Bronze) and then by the date submitted.
You can view, edit or cancel a request while it is pending.
HQ may decline, reschedule or remove any request, and may also taste any sauce on its own initiative without a request.
Paying for a plan affects only your place on the waitlist. Scores cannot be bought, and no plan, payment or relationship influences a score.

2. Shipping sauces

When HQ asks you to ship, send the listed sauces to the address we provide, at your own expense.
Bottles are not returned, and you confirm this with a checkbox when you submit.
HQ is not responsible for items lost, damaged or delayed in shipping.
Ship only sealed, retail-ready products that are safe, legally labeled and made in compliance with applicable food laws. You remain responsible for your products.

3. How scoring works

Each tasting has a Tasting ID and a scoring date. Tasters score blind on individual scoresheets, and the scores are combined into one HQ Panel score out of 100.
Scoring categories and weights are set by HQ and may change over time.
Individual scoresheets and taster notes are internal and are not shared. The published result is the HQ Panel score, the year and the Tasting ID.
Every official HQ Panel score, whatever the number, is shown in the HQ Tasting Panel section of the sauce's page, with the most recent tasting first and earlier results in the sauce's history. A score of 80 or higher is also shown automatically as a badge, for example "HQ RATED 2026 · 88," on the sauce's main image, page header and search results. Scores under 80 are not shown in those prominent places.
HQ Panel scores are separate from HQ Expert reviews and member ratings.

4. Results are opinions

HQ Panel scores are HQ's opinion of how a sample tasted on the scoring date. They are not a safety, quality or regulatory certification. There are no appeals of a score, but you may request a new tasting of a changed or reformulated product.

5. Using your result

You may quote your published HQ Panel score with its year, for example "HQ RATED 2026 · 88," in your marketing, provided you do not alter it or suggest it applies to a different product or year. Hot Sauce HQ logos and badge artwork may be used only as provided by HQ and only while the score is current.