Blood Oath Pact No. 9 (Photo by the brand)

Fulfill Your Oath

Lux Row Distillers made a name in the collectible whiskey space when it introduced Blood Oath Pact 1 in 2015. Since then, under the experienced direction of Master Blender John Rempe, the distillery has released a new batch, or “Pact,” as they call it,  annually. So, what’s the hook? Each Pact blend is different from the prior year’s release.

According to the website, Pact 1 was “[a] masterful union of well-bred bourbons. The first, a spicy bourbon with a mash bill favoring rye, barrel aged for a subtle woodiness. This [is] artfully braided with a smooth, but never soft, wheated bourbon of memorable curves.” It continues, “Finally, a more experienced, oaky bourbon with a rye-based mash. None overpowers the other, agreeing to co-exist in harmony.”

Regrettably, I never had the pleasure of tasting Pact 1. In 2015, I was just starting my whiskey journey, and ultra-premium bourbon wasn’t within my price range! Sadly, it still isn’t!

Housekeeping Note

Please note that I received this sample complements of Blood Oath and their PR agency. They understand that I will not pull punches and will provide my honest feedback and review. Wine and Whisky Globe would not allow anything less than an honest opinion, and I would never let how I received the sample affect my review. Now, with that said, I need a drink!

According to the brand’s PR documents, this year’s release, Blood Oath Pact 9, “combines some of the finest extra-aged bourbons Rempe could find, including a 16-year ryed bourbon and a 12-year ryed bourbon, as well as a 7-year ryed bourbon finished in Oloroso Sherry casks from the Sherry Triangle region in southwest Spain. These casks impart unique woody and ripe-fruit aromas and flavors.”

The Kentucky Colonel Says

In the glass, this Bourbon has a beautiful amber hue with a touch of honey gold. The nose opens with a lot of freshly baked bread with a touch of sherried sweetness, followed by notes of milk chocolate. There’s an aroma I can only describe as “dusty Bourbon;” it’s slightly sour and funky, but it reminds me of drinking bourbon from the late 80’s/early 90’s. I also pick up a sweet,  caramel-like note that leans towards nougat.

It drinks warmly on the palate, which is understandable given that it clocks in at 49.3% ABV (98.6 proof)! Flavors open with a sense of fresh, soft bread (maybe French bread?), leading to notes of green apple and hints of sherried malt and crème brûlee.

So, what does the Kentucky Colonel think? Blood Oath Pact 9 is a delicious whiskey, but at $300 to $400 per bottle, it’s not one that I’ll be looking to add to my collection.