Distillery: Lux Row Distillery
Proof: 98.6
Age: 14-year rye blended, 8-year rye bourbon, & 8 year finished in sauternes wine casks
Mashbill: Undisclosed
BACKGROUND: Blood Oath Pact 7 is the 2021 release of Lux Row Distillers's Blood Oath line. The Blood Oath line is a representation of and creation by John Rempe. Blood Oath is a blend of 2 rye-based Kentucky bourbon whiskeys that are sourced from undisclosed distilleries. The older rye is a 14 year extra aged high rye and a 8 year rye bourbon that is then mixed with an 8-year ryed bourbon, finished in sauternes wine casks. The Blood Oath series is always unique and the last 4 have been finished in some special cask. Pact 6(2019) was a unique blend of whiskeys that combines a 14 year old bourbon, an 8 year old bourbon and a 7 year old bourbon that was finished in cognac barrels. Pact 4 (2018) was our favorite and finished in toasted barrels, Pact 5 (2019) was finished in Caribbean Rum Casks. Pact 6 is a unique blend of whiskeys that combines the oldest bourbon Rempe has used, a 14 year old bourbon, an 8 year old bourbon and, most importantly, a 7 year old bourbon that was finished in cognac barrels. The Blood Oath releases are always 98.6 proof, which is the temperature of blood.
NOSE: Pact 7 opens with a very strong spiced oak that immediately fills your scenes with a plethora of different sweet and spicy flavors. As the spice settles, a warm honey comes to the forefront mixed with a light cracked pepper, apricot, and a light scent of peach. (22/25)
PALATE: From the second the thick dram touched your lips your mouth is immediately coated with a tingling rye spice scensation. On the second sip you can start to pull some lighter notes of apricot and a mild peach taste. As the sweets come to the forefront, you can get some delicious notes of honey, charred oak, hay, and a sweet kick that comes from the sauterne wine casks. (35/40)
FINISH: The second you swallow the whiskey, a roasted oak and slight dark chocolate flavor mixed with dark fruit flavors that mesh together into a woody spiced oak mixed with dark licorice. (24/25)
VALUE: For $100 this is worth every penny, full of sweet and spicy flavors that have continued to show why Blood Oath is as sought after as it is. (8/10)
Overall: 88/100
FINAL THOUGHTS: Lux Row hit the nail on the head with this one, absolutely delicious expression. The wine casks combine with the high rye perfectly making this a must buy if you see it on the shelves.
Slightly Better Whiskey: Midwinter Nights Dram act 8 scene 2
Equal Whiskey: EH Taylor Rye
Slightly Worse Whiskey: Buffalo Trace Kosher Rye
Scoring Legend:
96-100: The perfect dram, juice of the gods
90-95: Near perfect, truly incredible whiskey
85-89: Amazing whiskey, will always try to keep a backup bottle of this
80-84: Very good, some minor flaws here or there
75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink, Will try and keep a bottle on the shelf
70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get this
60-69: Decent, would offer this up to non whiskey drinkers
50-59: Not my cup of tea
Below 50: Give away
