turns out im the only one that thought it was too smoky. but like zwiller said i was trying it pretty fresh. today i broke it out for a buddy to sample. he liked it and i thought it taste better too. it definitely tamed down after 2 days in the fridge. i usually only smoke for 1.5hr then finish in oven. just to get that hint of smoke and color a ss has to have, imo. this is the first time ive had an issue with bad smoke flavor in a couple decades. lol im, use to mesquite and apple too not hickory. so that mite have a sharper bite to it im not used to? when i short smoke and oven finish, its tame and ready to chew the next morning.
these sausages arent cured, hung, fermented, mixed with pork or in casings as traditional summer sausage. these are made in a day to be eaten in the next couple. as little chemicals and fat go into these as i can get away with. i started making these so i dont have to eat the store crap. hate that teeth coating of fat in that crap. dont need all the preservatives in them either!
as always, this is a great place to learn!!!