Hokus Pokus has been very good about getting Elijah Craig Private Barrel picks once or twice a year. These really are great bottles. While they vary from the traditional Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Twelve Year Olds, not every barrel needs to age twelve years to be really good. The Private Barrel bottlings tend to be higher proof and younger age, meaning these barrels either needed to be bottled now uncut or bottled later and proofed down. The latest Hokus pick, as the title reflects, is 8 years old and at a bruising 132 proof. Yes, this bourbon is 66% alcohol.

The color on this is a nice solid amber with just a hint of mahogany. On the swirl there is a thin film with gravity defying legs. Very oily bourbon. Very traditional bourbon on the nose, with heavy vanilla and caramel, with some nice oak tannin. On the palate, the caramel takes a back seat to big vanilla notes, along with big clove notes. There are hints of dark fruits but this is so high proof it is difficult to chew the whiskey long enough to get those. Super big long finish of clove and oak.

This is a great barrel pick, although even for me it drinks a bit hot. But it does drink a lot older than it is, with the heavy clove and oak notes particularly on the finish.