Hokus Pokus’ latest Maker’s Mark Private Selection takes its name from the Hobbits’ mid-morning meal. The proof is 108.1, with staves of five seared french cuvee staves, one Maker’s 46 stave, one french mendicant, and a whopping three toasted french spice staves, just like their last store pick. I suspect this one will have a good bit of spice.

The color is a nice solid amber, not too dark, but it definitely has some mahogany colors in there. Very nice. On the swirl is a thin film but nice thick oily legs. On the nose is pretty traditional wheated bourbon but with a lot of baking spice, with some subtle oak notes. On the palate, this bourbon is pretty full bodied for a Maker’s Mark, being slightly thick and very rich. The palate has those wonderful baked cinnamon roll notes but there is a ton of baking spice and clove, along with a ton of oak tannin, with hints of dark fruit and dark chocolate as you chew the whiskey. On the finish the cloves and baking spices dominate and linger and linger.

This drinks like an ultra-aged wheated bourbon but not quite as rich. The choice of oak staves here really added some great flavor notes and depth. I am definitely a fan of Maker’s spicy oak staves.