I’m standing at a tasting at my local Noble Wine and Spirits and having a few samples of the different products that evening. If you know anything about me, I’m constantly listen and observing the room (I try to understand all around me if possible). I heard something that perked my ears up.

When is the Pumpkin Pulp Barrel Pick coming in Jeff?

Rewind – If you haven’t met Jeff Clark, you might be missing out on one of the nicest guys in bourbon I know. He kinda works for the Indiana Liquor Group, but he has a full time job doing IT. And I’m pretty sure he is the mastermind behind the Delaware County Bourbon Society group on Facebook. I’ve done numerous tastings with him and he knows his stuff and his bourbon. I’ve even had him come do a bourbon dinner at Primo (in New Castle) and he rocked it with the food and bourbon pairings.

Fast forward – I find out there is this barrel pick from West Fork Whiskey and it’s going to the Delaware County Bourbon Society Facebook Group. Within minutes, I’m added to the Facebook group and I’m putting my name in for a bottle of this Pumpkin Pulp pick. I trust Jeff enough to know it’s going to be good and I’m not even worried.

A few days later, the Krampus pick was posted and I didn’t hesitate to jump in once again. Do I have any idea what in the world I actually purchased? No. Do I know that it will be awesome? Most likely.

I believe I have ordered a single barrel pick (Old Hamer) and an apple brandy barrel finished bourbon (Hugh Hamer).

I’m supposed to go up in the morning and pick both of the bottles up from Anderson. And I can’t wait to crack them both open tomorrow for a tasting. And I’ll officially report back with my findings (preliminary hypothesis is that I’ll be in for a treat).

So what’s the moral to this whole story?

1. Be a part of local bourbon groups such as Delaware County Bourbon Society, Indiana Bourbon Club (which I’m hoping to get in on the 1792 charity pick with GoodFellas), Indiana Barrel Pick Club (picks coming soon), and any others in your local community. These are real you can make real connection and friendships that will get you everywhere in your bourbon lifetime.
2. Find a person you trust who is a part of the barrel selection process. I trust Jeff with my tastebuds without hesitation. That makes it easy when I see a barrel pick because I don’t have to wonder if I would like it. I know. I might be wrong 5/100 times, but I’ll take those odds (plus it’s still an A in a college class).
3. Stay tuned for my reviews. I’m excited to be able to try both of these and I think you will want to get a taste if you can as well!