Pact No. 2 is the 2016 release and only the second entry in what would become Luxco's flagship annual bourbon series. It is worth understanding what it represents. Blood Oath launched in 2015 as an argument for blending at a moment when single barrel and barrel proof bottlings were taking all the attention, and Pact 2 is where John Rempe proved the first release had not been a fluke. It is also the most structurally unusual of the early Pacts. Where later releases draw all three components from ryed mashbills, Pact 2 deliberately mixes recipes: an eleven year old rye bourbon supplies oak and spice, an eleven year old wheated bourbon smooths the edges without thinning the flavour, and a seven year old rye bourbon finished in port barrels ties the two together with a velvety sweet close. Blending a wheater against a ryed bourbon is a harder trick than finishing one component in interesting wood, and it gives Pact 2 a fuller mouthfeel than its predecessor. The port finish, applied only to the youngest component, brings out spice and dried fruit rather than sugar. In the glass it runs toasted oak, caramel and maple syrup on the nose with vanilla, cocoa, tobacco leaf and dried fruit behind, then a powerful palate of scorched sugar and cocoa powder with clove, allspice and ginger over toasty grain. The finish is smooth, long and dry. Bottled at 49.3 percent alcohol by volume, the 98.6 proof shared across the series, hand blended and bottled, topped with a natural cork and signed by Rempe. Only 7,500 three bottle cases were made, and per the label it will never again be produced.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
49.3% |
| Proof |
98.6 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Producer |
Luxco, St. Louis, Missouri |
| Master Blender |
John Rempe |
| Category |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Expression |
Blood Oath Pact No. 2 |
| Release Year |
2016 (MMXVI) |
| Age |
Blend of 11 year rye bourbon, 11 year wheated bourbon and 7 year rye bourbon |
| Finish |
Port barrels, applied to the 7 year component only |
| Release Size |
7,500 three bottle cases (22,500 bottles) |
| Closure |
Natural cork |
| Packaging |
Commemorative fire branded wooden box |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber.
Nose: Toasted oak, caramel and maple syrup lead, with vanilla, cocoa, tobacco leaf and dried fruits behind, plus heavy wood overtones.
Palate: Full and powerful. Lightly scorched sugar and cocoa powder carry clove, allspice and ginger over toasty grain, with the wheated component softening the edges.
Finish: Smooth, long and dry, with a touch of spice and dried fruit sweetness from the port barrels.
FAQ
Q: What is in the blend?
A: An eleven year old rye bourbon, an eleven year old wheated bourbon, and a seven year old rye bourbon finished in port barrels.
Q: Is the whole blend port finished?
A: No. Only the seven year old component rests in port barrels. The two eleven year old bourbons are unfinished.
Q: What makes Pact 2 different from later releases?
A: It is one of the few Pacts to combine a wheated bourbon with ryed bourbons in the same blend. Most later Pacts use ryed mashbills throughout.
Q: How many bottles were made?
A: 7,500 three bottle cases, which is 22,500 bottles, making it one of the smallest Blood Oath releases.
Q: Does it come with the wooden box?
A: Yes. Pact No. 2 was the first Blood Oath sold in a commemorative fire branded wooden box. Confirm it is included, as it affects value.
Q: Where can I buy Blood Oath Pact No. 2 online?
A: Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
