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Naga Viper vs Infinity

Guinness already answered that one. Heatwise, the Naga Viper took the Infinity Chilli's top spot after only two weeks.

Flavourwise, I haven't tried the Infinity itself but I doubt it tastes good. The InfiNaga hybrid is just a slightly more chemical tasting Bhut.

The Naga Viper, however, is a favourite of mine. Mostly Ghost with a tiny hint of Scorpion-like perfumed acidic fruit and a slightly bigger one of something fresh and green that adds instant contrast in anything you use it in.

The Infinity is prized for its length of burn only, from what I understand, but I did find the InfiNaga's deep, slow burn ideal for winter warmers so it might not be an utter loss.
 
Spice Freak is right about Guinness, but I think naga viper might be one of the reasons Guinness changed the rules.  I get the feeling maybe it will never be truly stable.  Everyone has the occasional wonky pod, especially the first ones.  But Naga Viper seems to have more than its fair share.  Changes in shape and taste seem more common.  You might be surprised.
 
Indeed. The strain has since been verified as just below 1.4 million, IIRC, but it still remains rather less stable than most as the result of being a 3-way cross of the top chillies of the time (which may, themselves have been slightly unstable).
Everything I have heard has suggested that there was a lot of PR backlash from its record and Guinness was forced to change their ways.
 
As I say though, the true Viper is a real goodie and I know I'm growing the right stuff because it matches the taste of the only UK sauce to use it, produced by the original breeder himself.
Also, if anyone gets a white one again, do let me know. I am most interested.
 
spicefreak said:
Indeed. The strain has since been verified as just below 1.4 million, IIRC, but it still remains rather less stable than most as the result of being a 3-way cross of the top chillies of the time (which may, themselves have been slightly unstable).
 
Naga viper really is a mess. 3-ways are a mess too because you don't ever know what kind of recombination happened from that first parent. Its impossible to predict which traits from the first cross will make it into the second.
 
Fowler is still selling seed of the viper on the chilli pepper company website: http://www.chileseeds.co.uk/products/naga-viperr-chilli-seeds-3rd-hottest-chilli-in-the-world-246.php where they have the line "we are still in the process of ensuring that what we have will be consistently one of the hottest" which could mean a few things:
  1. We are constantly producing the hybrids required to make this consistant phenotype
  2. We are continuing to inbreed and make selections, to make sure this variety is very hot by the time it is stable
If either of these are true then Fowler is the only person to buy Naga Viper seeds
 
 
Sidenote: this is one of my fav peppers and I have a tattoo of the pod, haha!
 
spicefreak said:
Guinness already answered that one. Heatwise, the Naga Viper took the Infinity Chilli's top spot after only two weeks.

Flavourwise, I haven't tried the Infinity itself but I doubt it tastes good. The InfiNaga hybrid is just a slightly more chemical tasting Bhut.

The Naga Viper, however, is a favourite of mine. Mostly Ghost with a tiny hint of Scorpion-like perfumed acidic fruit and a slightly bigger one of something fresh and green that adds instant contrast in anything you use it in.

The Infinity is prized for its length of burn only, from what I understand, but I did find the InfiNaga's deep, slow burn ideal for winter warmers so it might not be an utter loss.
After your description of the Naga Viper, Spicefreak, I'm adding that to next years' grow. Sounds like it's right up my alley. Thank you for that.

-Adam
 
MikeUSMC said:
Slug said:
 
Plot twist:  It's on his johnson.
 
"Here come tha Naga, baby!"
 
take it in, fellas
 
jAQ5UZB.jpg
 
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