Blood Oath Pact No. 2 is the 2016 annual release of the celebrated Blood Oath series from Lux Row Distillers, and the first pact in the series to introduce a finished component into the blend. Where Pact No. 1 blended three unfinished bourbons, John E. Rempe's approach for Pact No. 2 was to finish one of the three component bourbons in Port barrels before blending, adding a layer of dark fruit sweetness and velvety complexity that carries across the entire expression without overwhelming it. The three components are a 7-year high-rye bourbon finished in Port barrels, an 11-year wheated bourbon, and an 11-year high-rye bourbon — a masterful construction that layers oak and spice from the rye components with softness from the wheated component and a velvety Port-driven finish from the finished rye. Only 22,500 bottles of Pact No. 2 were produced worldwide. Now nearly a decade out of active retail circulation, the 2016 Blood Oath Pact No. 2 is an established back vintage in the series that will continue to become more scarce. Presented in the original fire-branded wood box with MMXVI engraving, signed and dated by John E. Rempe.
ABV / Proof
| Producer |
Lux Row Distillers, Bardstown, Kentucky (formerly Luxco) |
| Master Distiller |
John E. Rempe (signed) |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Series |
Blood Oath — Pact No. 2 (MMXVI / 2016) |
| Blend Components |
7yr high-rye finished in Port barrels + 11yr wheated + 11yr high-rye |
| Total Production |
22,500 bottles worldwide |
| ABV |
49.3% |
| Proof |
98.6 Proof |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Packaging |
Fire-branded wood box, MMXVI engraved, signed by John E. Rempe |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep golden amber with warm copper tones
Nose: Toasted oak, caramel, maple syrup, vanilla, cocoa, tobacco leaf, and dried fruits. The Port barrel component adds a dark fruit and slightly musky depth that lifts the blend above a standard bourbon profile.
Palate: Slightly sweet and spicy, with dark stone fruit, caramelized fruit salad, spiced raisins, gingerbread, and a creamy mouthfeel from the wheated component that smooths the rye spice and oak into a beautifully integrated whole. The Port finish is present but not dominant.
Finish: Smooth, long, and dry, with dark stone fruits, oak spice, and a touch of mint at the very end — a velvety sweet goodbye, exactly as the label promises.
FAQ
What makes Pact No. 2 distinct from other Blood Oath pacts?
Pact No. 2 was the first in the series to introduce a finished component into the blend. Rather than finishing the whole blend, John Rempe finished just one of the three bourbons in Port barrels before blending, allowing the Port character to contribute without dominating. This subtle integration technique is a hallmark of his blending philosophy and makes Pact No. 2 one of the most nuanced early pacts in the series.
Is Pact No. 2 still available?
Pact No. 2 was a one-time 2016 release of 22,500 bottles. Now nearly a decade out of active production, surviving bottles are established back vintage collector acquisitions that will not be restocked. The label states clearly: "This rare whiskey shall never again be made."
Where can I buy Blood Oath Pact No. 2 online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
