The hunt for heat: 'I wanted to burn my mouth'
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EUGENE, Ore. - David Hernly loves hot sauce. His refrigerator door is packed with as many mini bottles as it can hold, and what doesn't fit there he has stored away in his cabinets.
"I've always been a hot head," said Hernly, "Ever since the Army. I had a guy turn around and give me a jalapeno, and I ate it."
That was back in the 70s. Ever since he has been on a hunt for the heat.
"I wanted to try and burn my mouth." said Hernly.
But none of the many brands crammed into his ice box have done the trick. So he decided to make his own.
"One day I saw a chili hot sauce magazine," explained Hernly,"And it was the hot sauce issue.I opened it up and said, 'Wow this is simple.'"
Especially if you compare it to what he's had to deal with in the past.
Three years ago Hernly and his girlfriend were both diagnosed with cancer. He's currently in remission, but his girlfriend passed away due to the illness. She may not have survived, but her memory does.
"On the labels there is a dedication for every bottle I make," said Hernly, "She was a very special person to me, and I wish she was here to see this."
Hernly's hot sauce brand is called Blue Dog Hot Sauce, a nickname he acquired while in the Army. Currently, the only way to get your hands on a bottle is to send him an email at bluedoghotsauce@yahoo.com.
