2019 Halloween Special: Bourbon & Candy Pairings

I’ve enlisted some of The Whiskey Corner writers and friends to bring you a blog just in time for Halloween. We’ve assembled a few Bourbon and candy pairings for you. So, while you’re sneaking some morsels from the little kiddies trick-or-treat bags you’ll have some good ideas on what Bourbon to enjoy along with them.

Wild Turkey 101 & Hershey’s with Almonds by Tawnya Bennett

Since Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, I felt it necessary to highlight my wicked indulgence of chocolate and Bourbon. I chose to pair my two favorites: Wild Turkey 101 and Hershey's with Almonds.

For me, the WT101 is a delightful staple for any Bourbon drinker. It's low retail cost (approx. $23.00), as well as it's robust flavors, enable this to be ideal for any Bourbon drinker, experienced or new. I always use WT101 as a baseline when others reference their favorites; this helps me gauge their palate against my own and find common ground.  At 101 proof, it meets my demands when I need that extra kick.

On the nose, I get a spicy caramel. Hints of leather and tobacco air through reminding me of an old coat full of memories. The taste is creamy and palate-coating. At first, it is slightly peppery but smooths out as you sip. Bits of fruit peek through but end in a caramel/vanilla combination. Once the initial pass is complete, the finish is long but not painful. Hot enough to feel it but soft enough to enjoy it.

Pairing with Hershey's with Almonds adds to the creamy mouthfeel. It pulls even more of the caramels out and creates a spicier finish to the Wild Turkey. With the addition of the almonds, it becomes a sweet dessert in your mouth. Like caramel drizzled chocolate ice cream - minus the brain freeze. Halloween or any other day of the year. I will enjoy this happy treat whenever the mood hits.

Yes, that is Baker Beam’s signature on the bottle to your left. Fun fact: Baker’s “payday” from Booker when Baker’s name was used for his namesake Bourbon? One dollar.

Baker’s Bourbon and Payday by Kevin Rose

Baker’s has long been one of the best Bourbons that seemed to (like a witch on her broom) fly under the radar.   It was the last member of the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection that most people seemed to name: “Let’s see…Booker’s, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, and…umm…oh yeah: Baker’s!”. 

With the recent announcement that Baker’s would be going to Jim Beam’s single barrel program, it is finally getting some well-deserved attention. It is a very balanced Bourbon at a proof point of 107 that lets you know it’s there, but doesn’t knock you off your bar stool, either. Get the Baker’s small batch while you can because pretty soon it will vanish from shelves like a ghost.

On the nose I get a lot of caramel, fruit along with some corn (maybe cornbread). The taste has some vanilla, oak and creaminess to it, but the caramel and the nuttiness lead the way. This is why it pairs so perfectly with the Payday bar. The Payday is like unwrapping a pour of Baker’s and eating it. There is more sweetness (and less alcohol) to the candy bar, of course, but that makes for a great marriage (like Frankenstein’s Monster and his Bride) with the creamy power that is Baker’s.

Elmer T. Lee with Barkthins Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Seeds by Jonathon Waunch

Editor’s note: Jonathon and his wife just had their third baby (and first son) last week. I took Jonathon a sample of Elmer T. at the hospital to celebrate. The glassware is “any port in a storm” resourcefulness. Congratulations to Jonathon and Carolina.

I’m a big fan of finishing off a meal with something sweet, preferably paired with bourbon (used to be coffee, but Bourbon with sweets has moved into first place in my heart…or stomach?)! Usually I’ll look for some kind of baked good, like a piece of nice, dense, cheesecake! But if I don’t have easy access to such, I’ll look for some chocolate. It just so happened I found myself in this circumstance this week as I was at the hospital for the birth of my son; a very special moment but I won’t go into that since this is supposed to be about Bourbon and sweets. I had just finished my hospital cafeteria lunch and was thinking about a small bottle of Elmer T. Lee sitting in my room, thanks to my friend Kevin who had visited the day before! But what to pair it with?

I ventured back into the cafeteria and began the search. There was the normal variety of packaged fair such as granola and protein bars. I explored deeper. Pumpkin something covered in “chocolate flavored” something, no thanks! I always avoid “Chocolatey” or “chocolate flavored” anything. Then I found it, Pumpkin Seed with Sea Salt covered in dark chocolate. Not only is it pumpkin-anything season, but we’re talking about real pumpkin seeds covered with real dark chocolate! I decided that would pair great with real good Bourbon! What’s even better, it also hit the spot with the wife (the chocolate treat, not the Bourbon). Cheers to my newborn son, Bennett!

Johnny Drum Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Reese’s Cups by Phil Kollin

I’ve never met the people behind the stellar Reese’s products, but I dig the entire lineup: The Peanut Butter Cups. The Pieces. The famous Big Cup. And even the questionable (and since discontinued) Peanut Butter & Banana Cream cup. I hope to one day drive to Hershey, Pennsylvania where I’m assuming with a bold confidence that the entire Reese’s team can be found. I would enjoy riding the elevator directly to the “Peanut Butter” level of a massive candy Skyscraper on the Hershey HQ campus. Then, with endless appreciation, I’d take the opportunity to shake hands all around and thank this elusive team for crafting my favorite candy.

“Two great tastes that taste great together”

I have met the team behind Johnny Drum Straight Bourbon Whiskey several times. I always know just where to find that crew: Working hard at the Willet Distillery located on top of a beautiful hill just south of Bardstown, Kentucky. Johnny Drum is a classic high-rye Bourbon with a long history. Easily found at any well-stocked liquor stores in Kentucky for under forty bucks, the robust 101 proof “private stock” expression has long been a go-to for evening sipping. Particularly on crisp, fall evenings just before the season changes to “too cold to sit on the front porch” weather.

I’ve done a lot of tastings in my time, but I’ve never paired a specific whiskey with a specific Halloween candy. And I’m quite pleased with how this one worked out. Johnny Drum offers an initial nose of sweeter notes ranging from dried fruits to caramel to vanilla. But with that first sip, I always taste a fine balance of oak flavors mixed with those familiar various spice notes such as cloves and allspice that are often found in a well-aged rye-based Bourbon. The best part is that all of it is underlined by the same sweet flavors found on the initial sniff. Now we bring in the Reese’s!

Following each sip with a small bite of rich, thick peanut butter surrounded by chocolate was a sort of a divine experience. The pour of Johnny Drum over a few cubes of ice and some nibbles of Reese’s cups made for a savory, salty and satisfying combination.  Sip, nibble and repeat. The only challenge is limiting the size of your bites of peanut butter cups so the candy lasts as long as the glass of whiskey! In the end, the old saying rang true:  two great tastes that taste great together.

Pappy Van Winkle 15 year and Pop Rocks by Kevin Rose

 Everyone is familiar with Pappy Van Winkle.It’s the unicorn of Bourbon unicorns.In the minds of many, it is the “Boardwalk” of Bourbon Monopoly.Then there is Pop Rocks: it’s less a candy and more of a mini fireworks show for your tongue. It might be the “Mediterranean Avenue” of Candy Monopoly.What happens when you bring opposite ends of these two spectrum together?

First, you make a generous pour of Pappy Van Winkle, and then take a taste to lightly coat your palate. Next, you rip open a pouch of Pop Rocks and toss a handful of the rocks in your mouth. While the “rocks” are still “popping” in your mouth, add a nice sip of Pappy’s. This pairing is literally bursting with flavor and…stop. Stop. Stop. Full disclosure: I did not pair Pappy’s with Pop Rocks. That would be absurd.

I did, however, pair Old Crow with Pop Rocks. While still absurd, it is a less expensive level of absurdity. What I found is when you sip a little whiskey while Pop Rocks are still in your mouth; those little rocks really go wild!

So, if you find yourself with some cheap whiskey and handful of Pop Rocks this is worth a try. Pairing them doesn’t do much for the taste of either the Old Crow or the candy. It’s actually more of a trick than a treat.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our little pairing party and will share it with your friends. If you have any candy and Bourbon pairings that you really like, please post a reply or a comment. Aren’t we all looking for an excuse to eat more candy or drink more Bourbon?