Always wear gloves when handling Carolina Reaper peppers. Remove the stems and finely chop the peppers. Be sure not to touch your face or eyes during this process.

Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic and chopped Carolina Reaper peppers, and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Pour in the apple cider vinegar and water, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Add the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, ground black pepper, and salt to the saucepan. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed.

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken.

Once the sauce has simmered and thickened, remove it from the heat. Carefully transfer the sauce to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the saucepan. Blend until the sauce reaches a smooth consistency.

If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more water to reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, return it to the heat and simmer until it thickens further.