Blood Oath Pact No. 8 is the 2022 annual release in the Blood Oath series from Lux Row Distillers, and one of the most distinctively European-inflected pacts in the series' history. Pact No. 8 is finished in Calvados casks — casks sourced from Normandy, France, that previously held Calvados, the celebrated apple brandy of the Calvados AOC region — imparting a distinctive apple, vanilla, and cinnamon character that transports the bourbon into genuinely unexpected aromatic territory. The blend brings together three well-bred rye bourbons, including a bold 14-year old, a luscious 11-year old, and an 8-year old finished in the Calvados casks from Normandy, creating a layered and complex expression with an old-world French finish. Presented in Pact No. 8's distinctive green label and wood crate with "Finished in Calvados Casks" engraved on the lid, this is a back vintage pact that is now several years out of active retail circulation. As with every Blood Oath release, the label confirms: "This rare Pact shall never again be made." Signed by John E. Rempe, dated 3/06/22.
ABV / Proof
| Producer |
Lux Row Distillers, Bardstown, Kentucky |
| Master Distiller |
John E. Rempe (signed, dated 3/06/22) |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Series |
Blood Oath — Pact No. 8 (MMXXII / 2022) |
| Finish |
Calvados Casks — Normandy, France |
| Blend Components |
14yr rye + 11yr rye + 8yr rye finished in Calvados casks |
| ABV |
49.3% |
| Proof |
98.6 Proof |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Packaging |
Natural wood crate engraved "Finished in Calvados Casks," signed by John E. Rempe |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rich warm amber with golden copper tones from the three-bourbon rye blend and Calvados cask finish
Nose: Bold rye character from the 14-year component — oak, leather, spice — layered with a bright apple and vanilla note from the Calvados cask finish. The Normandy apple brandy influence is clear and distinctive, transporting the nose well beyond a standard bourbon profile.
Palate: Rich and layered, with dark oak and rye spice anchoring a wave of apple, cinnamon, vanilla, and a subtle floral note from the Calvados influence. The 14-year component adds age and depth while the Calvados-finished 8-year lifts the blend with a uniquely French-orchard character.
Finish: Long, warm, and elegantly complex, with oak spice, dried apple, vanilla, and cinnamon fading slowly — one of the most memorable finishes in the Blood Oath series.
FAQ
What is Calvados and what does it add to a bourbon finish?
Calvados is an apple brandy from the Calvados AOC region of Normandy, France, aged in French oak. Finishing bourbon in Calvados casks imparts a distinctive apple, pear, vanilla, and cinnamon character that gives Pact No. 8 a uniquely French-orchard dimension unlike any other finish in the Blood Oath series.
Is Pact No. 8 a back vintage?
Yes. Pact No. 8 was a one-time 2022 release. Now three years out of active production and confirmed never to be replicated, surviving bottles are established back vintage collector acquisitions. We also carry Pact No. 2 (2016) and Pact No. 11 (2025) in store for Blood Oath series collectors.
Where can I buy Blood Oath Pact No. 8 online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
