You will never find a pickle at the supermarket with this authentic flavor-packed pickle barrel flavor. The fresh horseradish made the difference. The grape/oak leaves aren't necessary but will keep the pickles crisp for a longer period of time - we ate ours so fast, we didn't even need them.
Click here for pictures and recipe: http://picklesandcake.blogspot.com/2009/08/fresh-pickles-old-fashioned-barrel.html