This is the first of a three part "Best of 2011" feature. I've been fortunate enough to sample dozens of sauces from so many great companies this year. As the year comes to a close, it's time to look back and highlight the best sauces of 2011. I've ranked the sauces in a variety of categories. I've also chosen a few select sauces as the best of the best. Only sauces that were officially reviewed on The "Q" Review during the 2011 calender year are eligible. If you sent your sauce and it has NOT yet been reviewed, it will be eligible for our 2012 countdown.

Some of the categories were incredibly difficult to rank. Mustard Sauce, for example was virtually a three way tie. The Mild Tomato category was loaded with great options. Stage Coach Sauces Bonafide BBQ, Demon Pig Original and Squealer's Sweet & Smokey didn't quite make the top three, but are awesome sauces that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Additionally, several other great products like Momma G's Cooking Sauce, Kozlowski Farm's Chipotle Grilling Sauces and Bill's Best deserve special mention.

Without further adieu, here are the best sauces of 2011. Be sure to check The "Q" Review for other "Best of 2011" features coming up shortly.

Best of the Best Overall

1. Big Dave's Honey Chipotle BBQ Sauce
2. Rufus Teague Touch o' Heat
3. Big Dave's Wildfire Sauce
4. Demon Pig Orange Blaze
5. Dimples

Best Mild Tomato Sauce

1. Dimples
2. Jake's Original

3. Uncle Kenny's Original

Best Medium Tomato Sauce

1. Big Dave's Honey Chipotle

2. Rufus Teague Touch o' Heat

3. Bubba's Finger Lickin' Throat Ticklin'

Best Hot Tomato Sauce

1. Demon Pig Orange Blaze

2. Backhills Hot BBQ Sauce

3. Mad Dog Chipotle BBQ

Best Vinegar Sauce

1. SuckleBuster's Honey BBQ
2. Doomer's "Q" Original
3. SuckleBuster's Chipotle BBQ

Best Mustard Sauce
1. Papa Jack's Sweet Heat Marinade
2. Bone Suckin Sweet Hot Mustard
3. Uncle Kenny's Mustard Barbeque

Best non-BBQ Sauce
1. Big Dave's Wildfire Sauce
2. Rufus Teague Spicy Meat Sauce
3. Kozlowski Farm's B2 Steak Sauce

Best Hot Sauce / Salsa
1. Louisiana Gold Hot Sauce
2. Louisiana Jalapeno Hot Sauce
3. Amy's Mild Salsa