July 2025 - Page 3 of 4

MW Polar Brisling Sardines in Olive Oil

Bought these MW Polar Brisling Sardines in Olive Oil after failing to note that what I had bought before was packed in canola oil. Those were in a regular metal pull-top can, and, even though packed in canola, I thought were quite good. Finding these seemed to be a happy coincidence, as they were in olive oil, had a higher net weight and were by far cheaper. Be careful what you wish for.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

They had that same bronze color from real smoke, and were packed nicely, with 10 fish visible on the top layer, fewer and larger than in the stock photo. Then-- you guessed it-- only 3 fish under that. Not really much different than the metal pull-top can.

While these tasted fine, there was a good bit of tail prickliness, to the point that I bit off the tails and didn't eat them. I do wonder if a higher visible fish count through the clear cover, i.e. smaller fish, would translate to more tender, non-prickly tails. But I have also seen it asserted that prickly tails are not uncommon in brisling sourced from Latvia.

I'm ambivalent about buying them in this format again, as I really think there were more and better fish in the 3.52 oz. can than in this 4.23 oz. one. At around $2.50, they were way cheaper, but not as satisfying, overall.

Main Takeaways

Authentically smoked
Prickly tails
Version in traditional can might be better value

Brand: MW Polar
Description: Smoked Brisling in Olive Oil
Species: Sprattus sprattus
Country of Origin: Latvia
Source: FAO 27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.23 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

Wild Planet Smoked Mackerel in EVOO

DeenLeave a comment

I found this Wild Planet Smoked Mackerel in Extra Virgin Olive Oil intriguing because it emphasized the "smoked" aspect. Not so many other tinned mackerels do, even though they might list smoke flavor on the container. Unsmoked, mackerel can be a buttery, rich, tender bite of fish. I wondered what a truly smoked iteration might taste like.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

What it lacks in visual appeal, however, it more than makes up for in taste. The contents are two fillets stacked, skin side down. A bit firmer than other mackerel tasted to date, but it's still acceptably tender.

The smoke flavor, naturally achieved, is forward, but not overpowering. I tried a couple of bites with just a few drops of Valentina hot sauce, and it made for an interesting flavor combination.

Recommended. I paid $5 at WF, but I see it's currently under $4 on sale for Amazon Prime members there.

The packaging lacks source information, other than to say "product of Latvia".

Main Takeaways

Good balance on the smoke
Firm but still tender enough
Good value, especially if on sale

Brand: Wild Planet
Description: Wild Smoked Mackerel in EVOO
Species: Scomber japonicus or Scomber colias
Country of Origin: Latvia
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/No
Net Wt: 3.9 oz.
Price Range: $5

La Narval Southern Mackerel

DeenLeave a comment

I remember, when I bought this mackerel at World Market, thinking, "What brand is this?" The WM website says something like "Don Gastronom", but that's nowhere on the box. The box says Southern Mackerel in Olive Oil (in Spanish and English). And "distributed by Conservas Artesanas Gallegas S.L.", with a web address that leads to a site identifying itself as "La Narval". Only then do I notice that name in some tiny print. So, who's "Don"?

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.75/5.

A minor deduction for that free space you see at 6 o'clock that could'a had some more fish in it. Otherwise, very nice. I always like seeing distinct pieces of fish, as opposed to just chunks stuffed into a can. Clean aroma, really nice olive oil.

Mild and meaty fillets of chub mackerel, 4 pieces in total. No skin, but I thought I detected a couple of fine bones. Salt is on the ingredients list, and I thought it might have benefited by a just a pinch more.

I thought this, from the website, was interesting: "After being cooked in seawater, we dry it a little bit so that when it gets in contact with the sauce, it gets re-hydrated again increasing its taste and texture." Sauce?

I tried it plain first, then with a few drops of Espinaler. It was better without, actually. Good quality fish can be that way, standing just fine on its own. If you like canned mackerel, worth a try.

But again, who the heck is "Don"? I looked it up and, rather than a who, it appears to be an association representing a family of brands of Spanish foods, of which La Narval is one.

Main Takeaways

Meaty and mild flavor
Needed salt
Good value

Brand: Don Gastronom / La Narval
Description: Southern Mackerel in Olive Oil
Species: North Atlantic chub mackerel
Country of Origin: Spain
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $5-6

King Oscar Sardines in EVOO Mediterranean Style

DeenLeave a comment

King Oscar features several flavored variations, the majority of which are confined to their brisling offerings. Of those, some are packed 8+ fish, in one layer (larger sprats) or 12+ fish, in two layers (smaller sprats). These King Oscar Sardines in EVOO Mediterranean Style are the larger.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

Nice looking fish in a fully-packed can. Clean aroma, scented with the black olives and Herbes de Provence (airb duh pro-VONS), an aromatic mixture of dried Provençal herbs and spices, which traditionally includes thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, savory, marjoram, oregano, and bay leaf. Herbes de Provence are most commonly used in French cuisine, though the flavors also pair well with Mediterranean cuisine.

The seasonings are well-balanced, infusing the EVOO nicely, and the fish tender and meaty. At under $3, a definite re-buy.

See it at Amazon.

Brand: King Oscar
Description: Wild Caught Sardines in EVOO, Mediterranean Style
Species: Sprattus sprattus
Country of Origin: Poland
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.75 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

Chicken of the Sea Sardines in LA Hot Sauce

DeenLeave a comment

I purchased these Chicken of the Sea Sardines in LA Hot Sauce at the same time as the versions in lemon sauce and Mediterranean style, with the intention of comparing them. I chose instead to follow the motto "one can at a time", and review them separately.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.25/5.

A little messy on the presentation, but the can is packed acceptably full, with little slosh. Meat is reasonably tender with bones not noticeable and none of the prickliness sometimes associated with sprats. The sauce is in ways reminiscent of Louisiana style hot sauce, which is milder than others such as Tabasco. The sauce is not as piquant/vinegary and face sweat-inducing as that of the recent revision of the Northern Catch Sardines in Hot Sauce.

Closer examination of the label shows these could either be sprats or herring, making one wonder if the distribution is random or regional. I think herring in this sauce could actually be quite good. The label on the can is adhesive paper on the lid only, which makes me think the fish content could be seasonal, like sprats today and herring maybe in six months.

Not bad for the price, as supermarket sardines go, but not necessarily memorable, either.

Main Takeaways

Visually kind of a mess
Tender fish without the prickly tails sprats sometimes have
Not exactly LA hot sauce, but not bad

Brand: Chicken of the Sea
Description: Brisling Sardines in Louisiana hot sauce
Species: Sprattus sprattus
Country of Origin: Poland
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.75 oz.
Price Range: $2

Brunswick Gourmet Brisling Sardines

DeenLeave a comment

Officially described as Brunswick Wild Caught Gourmet Brisling Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Not having had a non-gourmet version to compare to, these will have to be rated on their own merits. They are packed in what I like to call an "exhibition" style can, inside a printed cardboard sleeve.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.75/5.

Clean aroma. Nicely packed. There are only 4 to 5 more fish hiding under the 9 visible. Prettier than those in the stock photo of the unopened package. Marketing could probably do better.

They are notably salty, but not overly so. Described on the package as lightly smoked, but it is not readily apparent. They don't have that bronze color associated with genuine smoke. And not nearly as smoky flavored as the MW Polar tasted previously. Very tender fish with no noted bones or prickliness.

$4.00 and under on Amazon, they also come in a Mediterranean and a jalapeno style.

Brand: Bumble Bee Seafoods/Brunswick
Description: Brisling Sardines in EVOO
Species: Sprattus sprattus
Country of Origin: Latvia
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.23 oz.
Price Range: $3-4

Minerva Sardines in Olive Oil with Lemon

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Another installment in the "sardines with lemon" series. These Minerva Sardines in Olive Oil with Lemon came from World Market. I think I have come to the conclusion that "with lemon" should not be regarded as a premium upgrade. They never seem to cost extra, but it always sounds like it should be an improvement over "not with lemon". It rarely is. We'll see if these are an exception.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

The lemon half slice is right there on top. The content is a full can, there being three sizeable pilchards, plus one slightly smaller one. Not the prettiest fish, but a generous portion. The aroma is clean, not fishy.

A sip of the oil itself has a subtle lemon note, but it doesn't seem to transfer to the fish. The meat is firm, and, as with the spiced version tried previously, the fish is of good quality irrespective of the promise of the additional flavoring.

If you like Minerva sardines, and the regular ones in olive oil aren't available or is out of stock, these should do nicely in their stead.

See it at Amazon.

Brand: A Poveira/MInerva
Description: Sardines in Olive Oil w/Lemon
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.25 oz.
Price Range: $5-6