BUTCHERS AXE: Hunter Lamb and Game Rub – 165g

Lift your game

Hunter is the rub the Butchers Axe crew built for the meats that fight back — lamb, mutton and wild game that need a seasoning with backbone. A savoury blend rounded out with herbs and a whisper of coffee, it stands up to strong, gamey flavour instead of hiding it. Reach for it when there's a roast to carry the whole table.

The flavour

It opens savoury and salty, then herbs and dehydrated veg bring an earthy, almost woodsy middle. A quiet note of coffee deepens the finish with a roasted bitterness that flatters lamb fat and the mineral edge of game.

How to cook with it

• Rub a lamb shoulder heavily the night before and slow-roast until it pulls apart with a fork.
• Season chops or cutlets and sear hard over coals for a herby, caramelised crust.
• Coat venison backstrap, cook fast and hot, then rest it well before slicing.
• Dust it over potatoes roasted in the lamb fat for a savoury side that steals the plate.

In the shaker

A savoury brown blend flecked with green herbs and dark coffee grounds. Medium grind, it clings to fatty lamb and blooms into a herbaceous, earthy crust under the heat.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients: Salt, Spices, Raw Sugar, Brown Sugar, Dehydrated Vegetables, Herbs, Coffee, Flavour Enhancer 621, Anti-caking Agents 551.

Dietary: No gluten-free claim is made; may contain traces of gluten, soy, milk, sesame, peanuts and tree nuts — always check the physical label.

FAQ

How hot is it? None — Hunter is a savoury, herby rub with no chilli heat.

Is it gluten free? No gluten-free claim is made, and it may contain traces of gluten, soy, milk, sesame, peanuts and tree nuts — always check the physical label.

What meats suit it best? Lamb and game — shoulder, chops, cutlets, venison and other wild meats.

Where is it made? Made in Australia, in Melbourne.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

The Smuggler reckons game meat rewards a heavy hand — rub it deep, rest it long, and let the coffee do quiet work on the fat. Lacquer a shoulder late with Heavenly Hell Lamb Almighty Glaze, then scatter a little Fancy Hanks BBQ Pepper over the sliced ends. That's a proper plate.