Terry Smith

Location: United Kingdom (UK-based, exact region not publicly documented)
Known For: Creator of the Death Spiral (aka Death Pepper)

Terry Smith is a British chili pepper breeder credited with developing the terrifyingly potent Death Spiral, a superhot pepper that lives up to its name both in heat and appearance. Emerging from the UK’s close-knit chili-growing community, Smith’s work reflects a deep engagement with cross-breeding the most violent phenotypes of established superhots into something new and punishing.

The Death Spiral is a cross between a Naga and a 7 Pot Bubblegum (BBG) — both known for blistering heat and distinct aesthetics. The result is a pepper that begins with a bright red or crimson color and often shows a subtle bleeding calyx (inherited from its Bubblegum parentage). Its defining characteristics include a corkscrewing, “spiral” pod shape, aggressive texture, and a painfully slow-building heat that lingers long after consumption — a trait many growers attribute to the Naga lineage.

Though Smith does not appear to operate a seed business or public-facing brand, his Death Spiral seeds have been widely distributed through grower forums and enthusiast seed banks, quickly achieving cult status. The pepper has since become a parent in multiple newer crosses and is sometimes confused with other BBG derivatives due to the overlapping bleeding calyx trait.

What distinguishes Terry Smith’s contribution is the stabilization and naming of a pepper that many growers view as a benchmark for unrelenting, back-of-the-throat burn — often described as “dangerous in flavor” and “not for the casual eater.”

Notable Creations:

  • Death Spiral (Naga × 7 Pot Bubblegum cross)
  • Contributed genetics to follow-on BBG hybrids

Legacy:
Terry Smith’s Death Spiral embodies the darker side of superhot breeding — a pepper that doesn’t just push the limits of heat, but plays with shape, maturity timing, and psychological intimidation. His work has helped shape the lexicon of what “extreme” means in modern pepper cultivation.

Sources / References

  1. The Hot Pepper Forum – Early grow threads and naming posts referencing Terry Smith
  2. UK Chili Growers – Facebook groups and seed exchanges
  3. YouTube pod reviews (e.g., ChilliChump, The Hippy Seed Company)
  4. Vendor seed listings referencing "Death Spiral (Terry Smith strain)"
  5. Grower logs comparing Death Spiral to other BBG crosses