I’ve been caught up in the whirlwind of "social shopping" disappointments more times than I care to admit. Honestly, it’s hard not to get swept up in the latest trending product on social media, only to find out it was too good to be true—a neck cream resembling a cheap imitation, a sling carrier that terrified my elderly Yorkie, or a chili crisp that spilled in transit, causing my mailman to practically hiss at me. But amidst the clunkers, there’s often a gem. Enter Final Boss Sour, the incredibly tart candy made from actual dried fruit, which has been buzzing all over my social media feeds. It’s a real winner.
The brains behind this venture, James Hicks and Tommy Riggs, hail from Science Inc., the folks who’ve helped brands like Liquid Death and Dollar Shave Club achieve greatness. Unsurprisingly, humor and a love for retro gaming nostalgia form the backbone of their brand content. But Final Boss Sour takes it a step further with a fully fleshed-out narrative. We have Hank, the grumpy honey badger, who accidentally unleashes the sour essence of an ancient sorcerer by opening a jar of expired pickles. Teaming up with Quinnie, a sugary sweet quokka, he seeks to gather sour fruits to bolster their sour stamina and save Gooberland. And that’s just scratching the surface. Each mini-boss even gets their own motives and tales, while the newsletter, The Gooberland Gazette, dives deeper into this Sour-verse. This isn’t merely a fruit-flavored sweet; it’s a rich, candy-coated narrative experience.
Visually, the game influences are evident from every part of the branding, right down to the packaging design and marketing. I wish there was a 16-bit console game to play along with it, but the fun is in the form of more of a challenge, daring you to try its sour offerings. Level 1 is a daily delight with a lovely fruit taste and a touch of tartness. Yet, those who can bite into Level 2 and 3 without so much as blinking? They’re a special breed. For evenings with board games, drinks, or both, grab the VIP Destroyer Ultimate Sour Sampler Box—you can also opt for the slightly smaller VIP Sour Sampler Box if preferred from their TikTok shop. This box allows you to taste all three core fruit offerings—cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries—across increasing levels of sourness. You and your family or friends can dive through all 9 levels, creating bonds over the tartness that endure beyond that initial tooth-tingling experience.
Final Boss Sour is refreshingly simple with its ingredients—dried fruit, cane sugar, sunflower oil, and citric and malic acids. Subtler than Sour Patch Kids in sugar content yet perhaps more authentic, they deliver on the sour promise with straightforward ingredients and an irresistible tartness. The flavors hit all the right notes, particularly the Level 1 Sour Strawberries, which are almost divine in their balance.
And there’s more to discover—limited edition flavors like Strawberry Kiwi Level 2 fly off the shelves. Once they’re gone, they’re gone, which is true for past hits like Sour Strawberry Mango and Blue Raspberry Mango Dippers. Even more intriguing are collaborations with Level 4 offerings like the eye-popping Sour Yuzu Pineapple and a unique Friday Beers blend that left me tasting beyond the ordinary. If you’re worried about missing out on these exclusive drops, consider joining their Monthly Drop Club.
For nostalgic gamers, health-conscious snackers, or those with a daring palette, Final Boss Sour is a must-try. You even get your first box free with a purchase through their DFB service. Just a friendly warning: the first bite is on the house, but it hooks you for life.
While I received a free product sample from Final Boss Sour for this review, I have since gone on to make three personal purchases. Clearly, they’ve got something amazing, and I’m all in!
Review Score: 9.9/10
Hurts So Good
The almighty algorithm seems to understand me better than I know myself. This fusion of real fruit, genuine sugar, and perhaps a touch of too much sour truly bangs the sweat off all expectations. It loses a mere 0.1 because during an unlit movie night, I mistakenly snacked on Level 1 Blueberries, only to realize midway that they were indeed Level 3! The agony has faded, but the betrayal lingers.
