REVIEW / Sour Final Boss

I’ve had my share of letdowns with "social shopping" disasters. You know how it is; you get swept up by a viral social media trend only to end up with a neck cream that’s nothing more than a cheap replica, a sling carrier that terrified my elderly Yorkie, or a chili crisp that burst during shipping and made the mailman my foe. But trust me, not every story ends in disappointment—there are gems too. One such success story is Final Boss Sour, a super tangy candy made from real dried fruit that’s been causing quite the stir in my social media feeds, and let me tell you, it’s a home run.

James Hicks and Tommy Riggs, the masterminds behind this brand, previously worked at Science Inc., the brainchild behind notable names like Liquid Death and Dollar Shave Club. Their brand embodies humor and nostalgia inspired by retro gaming, which is evident in every piece of content they produce. But Final Boss Sour doesn’t just rely on clever marketing; it’s built around a comprehensive storyline. Meet Hank, a grumpy honey badger who unknowingly unleashes a sour sorcerer from an ancient jar of pickles. To combat this sour menace spreading across the land, Hank teams up with a charming quokka named Quinnie. Together, they collect sour fruits to increase their stamina and liberate Gooberland. The depth of the saga doesn’t end there. The mini-bosses come complete with their intriguing backstories and motives, further explored in their newsletter, The Gooberland Gazette. What you get with Final Boss Sour isn’t just candy—it’s candy with a rich lore.

The gaming motif doesn’t stop at just branding and storytelling. While there’s no 16-bit gaming console tie-in, indulging in their candy feels more like a daring game of taste. I could snack on Level 1 all day—it’s just the right amount of fruitiness with a kick of sour. Levels 2 and 3 though? They’re a test of endurance. If you’re planning a game night or a party involving spirited drinking, the VIP Destroyer Ultimate Sour Sampler Box is the way to go. It features everything from cranberries and blueberries to strawberries in three waves of sour attacks. Let your guests—willing or otherwise—dig into all 9 levels for a shared sensory experience that bonds with both pleasure and pain.

Health-conscious munchers might find Final Boss Sour appealing, with its promise of no artificial stuff. Still, don’t be fooled—it’s very much a treat, containing 20-22 grams of sugar per pouch. While that’s lower than the notoriously sugary Sour Patch Kids, it’s higher than others like Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers. But hey, with only five natural ingredients—real dried fruit and a dash of cane sugar among them—it puts up a fair fight. For lovers of confectionery contrasts, Level 1 Sour Strawberries create a taste experience that’s pure bliss.

Now let’s talk about those limited releases. They once sent over a Strawberry Kiwi Level 2 sample that had me ignoring my favorite Level 1 Strawberries—until I realized it was already sold out. This is a common occurrence with these sought-after launches that boast exotic flavors like Sour Strawberry Mango Level 2 and Level 4 offerings that push the sour envelope. If you hurry, you might still catch their latest, Sour Grapes Level 4, before it’s snapped up.

For those with a fondness for nostalgia, a penchant for healthy snacking, or the spirit of a thrill-seeker, Final Boss Sour is worth a try. Snag your first box free when buying direct from the boss. Just remember, the initial free taste is always a hook—and make sure I didn’t leave you unwarned.

As a full disclosure, this review was made possible with product samples sent by Final Boss Sour. And, in the spirit of full honesty, I went back for more with my own purchases. It’s just too good to pass up.

In essence, Final Boss Sour delivers a thrilling taste adventure that the algorithm knew I needed, even if I didn’t. The fusion of real fruit, wholesome sweetness, and potent tang meets the expectations social media has set. I’d have given them a perfect ten, but there was this one dark movie-night mishap with Level 1 Blueberries mistaken for Level 3. Let’s just say the sting of that mistake runs deeper than the sourness itself.