For Day 19 of the 30 Days of Bourbon, I’m reaching for Blood Oath Pact 10. Part of the limited-release bourbon series from Lux Row Distillers, the Blood Oath series is known for creating unique, high-quality blends as part of their annual release. Each “Pact” in the series is a distinct blend of carefully selected bourbons, and it’s crafted with the idea that every release will be a one-time creation, never to be repeated. Crafted by Master Blender John Rempe, the “Blood Oath” itself is a promise to never disclose the source of the bourbons used in the blend, adding an element of mystery and exclusivity to every bottle.
I lucked into my bottle of Pact 10 during a visit to the Lux Row Distillery for a dinner celebrating the launch of the 2023 Bardstown series, where both Lux Row and their sister distillery, Limestone Branch, were participating. When you’re at a distillery and they have a dozen or so bottles of their limited edition, allocated product on the shelf, you don’t think twice—you grab a bottle.
Blood Oath Pact 10 is a blend of three different bourbons, aged between 8 and 14 years, each finished in tawny port casks. The port cask finishing brings a new dimension to the bourbon, adding rich fruit flavors and a velvety texture to an already complex blend. On the nose, you can pick up notes of dark fruit like plum and raisin, with a hint of caramel and oak. The palate is rich and full-bodied, offering flavors of dried fruit, toffee, and oak, with a subtle nuttiness from the port cask finish. The finish is long and warm, with lingering notes of fruit, spice, and oak, rounded out by the sweetness from the port influence.
This bottle made it into my 30 Days of Bourbon lineup not just for its rarity and innovation, but also for the collaboration it represents. John Rempe sources these bourbons from various distillers and blends them without ever revealing their origins, which adds to the intrigue and mystery of each release. It’s about the artistry of blending and the trust placed in the hands of the blender to create something extraordinary without needing credit from the original distillers. Blood Oath Pact 10 also embodies the luck that sometimes comes into play in the hunt for great bourbons—a reminder that sometimes, you just happen to be in the right place at the right time.
Bottler: Lux Row Distillers
Distiller: Unspecified
Mash Bill: Undisclosed
Age: Blend of 8, 11, and 14 years
Finish: Tawny Port Cask
Proof: 98.6 (49.3% ABV)
Availability: Limited Release
