Pirates and Cornish Chillies launch hot sauce

Rugby lovers and hot sauce aficionados are in for a treat after two of Cornwall’s top brands have teamed up to create the perfect kick. Professional rugby union club the Cornish Pirates and Cornish Chillies Ltd have decided to create something special that will bring the ruggedness of rugby, the spiciness of habaneros and a glug of Cornish rum in one bottle that promises to deliver a serious kick.

The Red Hot Chilli Pirates sauce is the brainchild of Ross Hancock, the Pirates’ head of media, marketing and commercial, and Rob Popham, the rugby and chilli mad director at Cornish Chillies.

Ross said: “This sauce is the perfect embodiment of Cornish Pirates fierce spirit. As a club, we are always looking for ways to engage with the community, and what better way than to bring a fiery, locally sourced product to the table? Scott, Sue, and Rob at Cornish Chillies have been incredible to work with, and we’re thrilled to share this exciting new venture with our fans and the wider community.”

Red Hot Chilli Pirates sauce, which includes some Crusty Juggler Rum to give it a distinctive taste, was made by Scott and Sue Hall, the founders of Cornish Chillies, using some of their own Cornwall-grown habaneros at their chilli farm on the Trewithen estate near Grampound along the A390 between Truro and St Austell.

Scott added: “We’ve been working with the Pirates on this for months now, and the result is something we’re incredibly proud of. The combination of the heat from the habaneros and the smooth, smoky flavour of the rum really creates something unique. Red Hot Chilli Pirates is perfect for those who love a bit of spice with their food and drink.”

Rob Popham, director at Cornish Chillies, said the sauce went through different iterations and was tentatively called Pirates’ Fury until Sally Pettipher, CEO of the Penzance-based club, decided on the reference to the Los Angeles band Red Hot Chilli Peppers. She said the sauce is part of a vision to expand the Pirates’ reach and appeal.

She said: “As we move forward with the new ownership of the Cornish Pirates, we are committed to expanding our reach and engaging with our local community in innovative ways. The launch of Red Hot Chilli Pirates is a prime example of how we can continue to grow the club’s brand and legacy while supporting local businesses. This is just the beginning of what we hope will be many more exciting ventures, ensuring a bright future for the Pirates and our supporters.”

Rob added: “The collaboration with the Pirates has been a fantastic journey. We’re proud to offer a sauce that highlights Cornwall’s flavours and the community spirit we hold dear. Red Hot Chilli Pirates is not just about heat – it’s about creating something special with locally grown ingredients that showcase the best of Cornwall.”

The sauce’s limited edition first batch is now available for pre-order purchase through Cornish Chillies and the Pirates’ websites. It will be launched officially on March 7.

Pre order yours now below!

Red Hot Chilli Pirates Sauce – Pre-Order Now