Limited Edition: Borg9

“Outlaw Heat” Borg9 is a rare superhot pepper created by UK breeder Jon Harper and sourced for this release from Mike Warren. This is a true single-pepper varietal, not a blend. Its deeply wrinkled pods look every bit as untamed as the heat they carry. The first impression is unexpectedly playful: candy-like bubblegum sweetness and ripe mango, followed by an earthy, sage-like finish. Then the outlaw shows up. Heat and Flavor This release measures approximately 550,000 SHU and rates 5.5/10 for heat relative to the SpiceQuest Pro Kit. It is serious heat, but the flavor gets a chance to speak first. Expect bubblegum-like sweetness, tropical mango, and a savory herbal note reminiscent of sage before the burn settles in and lingers. Origin Story Borg9 was created by British breeder Jon Harper, best known for creating the original 7 Pot Bubblegum and its famous bleeding-calyx trait. The 7PBBG has been a SpiceQuest customer favorite for 2 years, and we're currently selling the final grinders of the 2025 harvest. Lineage: 7 Pot Bubblegum × Naglah. Through those parent lines, Borg9 brings together the Bubblegum family with the Bhut Jolokia and 7 Pot Douglah genetics behind Naglah. Name: Borg9 is named after the legendary actor Ernest Borgnine, a fellow Italian, which earns it a few extra points in my book. We haven’t yet spoken with its creator, Jon Harper, about what inspired the name, but we have a theory. When you create something epic, why not name it after someone equally epic? Borgnine appeared in classics like The Dirty Dozen, The Wild Bunch, All Quiet on the Western Front (1979), and Escape from New York. He won an Oscar for Marty and starred in one of my all-time favorite disaster movies, The Poseidon Adventure. And that barely scratches the surface. Borg9 is gaining recognition in the pepper community, but it remains hard to find. The variety is still considered relatively unstable, and growing it appears to come with its own challenges. Our hunt became personal when Borgnine’s son, Cris, reached out while trying to track down the pepper’s creator. Honestly, helping him felt like our duty. Thanks to Mike Warren, we finally got our hands on Borg9. The first thing we did was send some to Cris. It might be the closest we ever get to Hollywood greatness. For that alone, the hunt was worth it. Characteristics: Borg9 produces heavily folded, deeply wrinkled pods. The dramatic surface and irregular shape give every pod its own outlaw character. The Breeder and Pepper Source Breeder: Jon Harper, creator of Borg9 and the original 7 Pot Bubblegum. Pepper source: Mike Warren supplied the Borg9 peppers for this limited release. Tasting Notes Development: Candy-like sweetness and tropical fruit arrive first, followed by a deeper earthy-herbal note and a steady rise in heat. Duration: Persistent and warming, with a finish that stays long after the first taste. Location: Begins across the tongue and palate, then spreads through the mouth and toward the throat. Taste: Bubblegum, ripe mango, and sage. Culinary Uses Use Borg9 with intention. One push adds both flavor and meaningful heat. Mango or pineapple hot sauces and salsas Grilled meats, barbecue, and dry rubs Chili, beans, and slow-cooked stews Tacos, burritos, and roasted vegetables Curries, noodle bowls, and savory marinades Packaging & Presentation Presented in a refillable SpiceQuest push-button grinder. Comes with an acrylic base stand and pull-drawer display box. Each push of the spring-loaded mechanism delivers a small, consistent dose. The airtight, light-blocking interior helps keep the pepper potent and fresh. Refillable, reusable, and crafted for long-term use. Limited edition. Once this outlaw rides off, it is gone. Warning: Borg9 is a superhot pepper. Start with one push. You can always add more. You cannot take it back.