Update: A trip to Lockhart, Texas made me stop using sauce as a crutch.
I was at Smitty's Market last fall, and the guy behind the counter just handed me a piece of brisket on butcher paper, no sauce in sight. The bark and the smoke flavor were so strong, I finally got it. Now I focus on the meat and the fire, not the bottle. How many of you have cut out sauce to really taste your cook?
Honestly, the bigger shift for me was learning that sauce can cover up a bad smoke job. If the meat tastes bitter or harsh from dirty smoke, a sweet sauce makes it okay to eat. When I stopped using it, I had to fix my fire management first because the flaws were right there. Now a good cook doesn't need it, but I'll still put some on the side for the last few bites just for fun.