With hot sauces, there's a very distinct flavor difference between Tabasco, Crystal, Frank's, etc. not to mention there's regional affiliation to what hot sauce you use.

Additionally, I think a lot of "traditional" recipes in the US which were passed down in families came from advertising in the 40s/50s/60s, so they specifically call for "Hellman's Mayonnaise" or "Toll House Chocolate Chips" or "Heinz 57" or whatever.