I’ve encountered more than a few letdowns in my time with "social shopping." You know the drill—those viral products that flood your social media, enticing you with promises of greatness. But often, they end up leaving you high and dry. I’m talking about a neck cream that was nothing more than a flimsy imitation, a sling carrier that left my elderly Yorkie trembling in fear, and a chili crisp that, during transit, decided to escape the confines of its jar and wage war with my mailman. Yet, amid the flops, there are gems. Enter Final Boss Sour—a super sour candy made from real, dried fruit that has captured my social feeds and risen as the star of the show.
It’s got that Super Mario world map vibe.
Before its creators James Hicks and Tommy Riggs launched Final Boss Sour, they were busy at Science Inc., a venture studio behind well-known brands like Liquid Death and Dollar Shave Club. So, it’s no wonder their marketing leans heavily on humor and retro-gaming nostalgia. Final Boss Sour takes it up a notch with a full-blown story. Picture this: Hank, a grumpy honey badger, stumbles on a pickle jar that’s more ancient relic than brine, holding the essence of an evil sorcerer. When Hank inadvertently releases the sour spirit, chaos ensues. Hank, along with Quinnie, a sweet quokka, embarks on a quest through Gooberland to amass enough sour fruit to combat the sour villain. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Each mini-boss comes with its own backstory, all detailed in The Gooberland Gazette, their email newsletter. This isn’t just fruit candy—it’s a full-blown saga.
Ominous clouds suggest the ultimate sour power of Level 4 has yet to be unleashed.
The brand lives and breathes the video game vibe with branding and marketing that hit all the nostalgic notes. Sadly, there isn’t a 16-bit console game to accompany it—but don’t fret! There’s a captivating game to engage with. Those Level 1 candies? Pop them like popcorn; they offer a sharp fruit flavor with just enough tang. However, those brave enough to handle Level 2’s and 3’s without flinching—well, hats off to you. They’re hardcore! If you’re planning a night in with games or drinks, kick things off with the VIP Destroyer Ultimate Sour Sampler Box. You could opt for the slightly cheaper VIP Sour Sampler Box via their TikTok shop. Either way, you’ll sample all three of their flagship fruits—cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries—at varying sour intensities. Dive into all nine levels with friends, bonding over the shared experience of tantalizing pain as these sour candies wreak havoc on your taste buds.
Final Boss Sour’s appeal goes beyond bold flavors. With zero artificial ingredients or preservatives, it’s friendly to the health-conscious among us. Though, let’s be real—candy is candy. At 20-22 grams of sugar per pouch, it’s lighter than Sour Patch Kids but heavier than the likes of Warheads and Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers. With just five ingredients—real dried fruit, cane sugar, sunflower oil, citric acid, and malic acid—the intensity is real, and boy, can you taste it! Everyone should conduct their own taste test to discover their sour threshold. In my book, the Level 1 Sour Strawberries are a harmonious marvel, a perfectly balanced taste that would make even angels swoon.
A real text with my boss shows a shared addiction to sour strawberries.
And let’s talk about those tempting limited-edition drops. The Strawberry Kiwi Level 2 left me wondering, "Who needs Level 1 Strawberries?"—though I mourned the moment they sold out instantly. Their releases, like Sour Strawberry Mango Level 2 and Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Lemon Lime Level 4 collabing with Friday Beers, are as addictive as they are anticipated. You can still snag their latest Sour Grapes Level 4 drop, but don’t delay; fear of missing out is real. Jumping into their Monthly Drop Club is the surefire way to keep up.
The D.A.R.E. program from the 80s should’ve warned us about this!
For those who love games, crave a healthy snack, or are a bit of a masochist with flavors, Final Boss Sour is a must-try. Get your first box free with a purchase from DFB (Direct from Boss). Just remember—I did caution you, the first taste is always on them.
Full disclosure: this review is inspired by a retail product provided by Final Boss Sour. But, having made three separate purchases since, I assure you, these candies are a recipe for delightful addiction—much like that other notorious vice we shouldn’t speak of…
