Kaatil is widening its footprint in India’s fast-growing hot condiments market with the launch of Hot Barbeque Sauce No. 9, a new addition to its lineup built around the country’s famed Bhoot Jolokia chilli. The release signals the brand’s intention to build deeper relevance among heat-seeking consumers and strengthen the No. 9 series, which has become its signature identity.
The new sauce brings together the sweetness and smoke of a classic barbeque profile with the sharp, lingering heat that the Bhoot Jolokia is known for. The company said it has been developed to work across the kitchen, from marinades and glazes to spreads, dips and grilling preparations, addressing the growing preference for multi-use condiments among home cooks and restaurants.
Kaatil continues to rely on locally grown Bhoot Jolokia as the backbone of its flavour architecture. According to the brand, this focus helps create products that feel rooted in Indian culinary culture while still borrowing cues from global barbeque and hot sauce formats. The result, the company noted, is a sauce that balances sweetness, smokiness and intensity without overwhelming the palate.
Founder Sagar Merchant said the new product is aimed at consumers who enjoy the depth of barbeque sauces but prefer a stronger bite. He added that the team wanted to create a heat experience that builds gradually and enhances food rather than overpowering it.
The Mumbai-based company, started in 2023 by Merchant and co-founder Arjun Panwar, now sells a growing range of hot sauces, hot ketchups and chilli oils. Kaatil has also expanded into food service, supplying its products to restaurants across the country.
The brand plans to continue building out its portfolio with more chilli-driven variants that showcase regional Indian peppers in globally familiar formats. Kaatil said its long-term goal is to position Indian chillies on the international stage and close the gap in a category dominated by Western sauces that typically use imported peppers.
