Is this the best bacon in the U.S.A.?

Pictured above, it's made in Oskaloosa, Iowa by Vande Rose Farms.

Cook's Illustrated magazine in its September/October 2008 issue conducted one of their typical drill-down-to-solid rock comparison tests on premium applewood-smoked bacons and Vande Rose was the winner by the proverbial country mile.

Their testers' comments on this "Dry-cured with brown sugar, salt and pepper, hand-rubbed and applewood-smoked tour de force": "Tasters raved that this bacon — which scored a distinct few notches higher than the rest of the lineup — had it all: 'Nice balance of sweetness to salt, great deep complex ham flavor, very meaty,' with 'a faint fruity taste, sweet and salty.' 'A nice, thick cut, very hearty and substantial.' 'Classic bacon, but with lots more genuine smoke flavor and in every way better.' 'Now you're talking! This has lots of sex appeal — good balance of everything.' In sum: 'A winner.'"

12 oz. for $12.95.

Before you get too worked up, note that shipping (FedEx Express Saver — 3 days) costs $37.22.

Which brings your total to $50.17 = $66.89/lb.

I'm just saying, is all.