I’m finally over my cold/sinus infection, so I’m back into the mode to do a few tastings.

Let’s start here: If you live in the East Central Indiana area, you need to be a part of the Delaware County Bourbon Society. You can join here. If you are the magical “WLBC land,” you know about trains, or if you know where Ball State is located, you are within the area where the group would be beneficial for you if you are a bourbon lover.

I joined this group after a bourbon tasting at my local Noble Wine and Spirits and I was lucky enough to get in on their two latest barrel picks from Old Hamer (aka West Fork Whiskey). They partnered with Pumpkin Pulp for the pick. What is Pumpkin Pulp? Pumpkin Pulp is a full service haunted attraction prop construction and F/X company located in Muncie, Indiana. They specialize in set design and construction, haunted house design and fabrication, haunted house consultation, special f/x for movies and music videos, costume design and construction, creepy exterior building facades, and anything else that creeps people out.

So essentially – I bought haunted bourbon. And I’m not mad about it. And no – These bourbons did not have pumpkin or pulp in them. Or anything else weird.

I stopped by the Anderson Noble Wine and Spirits last week and picked up both of my bottles and finally opened them both last night.

Krampus Barrel Pick

My video tasting will do most of the talking, but let me hit a few key points:

1. I like this bourbon, but I’m a fan of Old Hamer in general.
2. This has a distinct char taste at the end.
3. I said marshmallow way too much.
4. This was my second time trying this bourbon and I tried this neat this time. That really enhanced some of the flavors. I’m going to start doing this for my tastings going forward (plus a revised rocks version).

Halloween Barrel Pick

Now that you have heard my tasting on the Krampus pick, let’s move on to the Halloween pick. A few notes:

1. I never thought I would describe a bourbon using a green Jolly Rancher.
2. I didn’t have the “official” label, so I didn’t know this was a Halloween pick as I tried it. And I actually said it would be really good for Halloween. So that’s awesome.
3. I’m not sold on the secondary aging in an apple brandy barrel.
4. I actually thought this was going to be my favorite and I was wrong.

The Verdict

When looking at both of these barrel picks, I have a clear favorite.

I’m sold on the Krampus pick.

The Halloween pick is unique, but it’s not a bourbon I would go back and buy again (there was just too much apple). The Krampus pick on the other hand, I would go back and grab another bottle and enjoy it.

Will I try/buy another barrel pick from the Delaware County Bourbon Society? Yes I will, but I’m most likely not going to seek out the Hugh Hamer line as I just don’t think the secondary aged bourbons are my thing (well at least apple brandy barrels aren’t my thing).

Thanks to the crew that made this pick happen. I am happy to support a local group who is willing to provide their members with this awesome opportunity.

Editor’s note: As I am finishing this post, I’m drinking the Halloween pick and it might be growing on me. It’s still not taking the lead, but I think I’m appreciating it a little more as I continue to drink it. The apple brandy mellows out over the rocks and it actually provides a nice contrast to the bourbon.