Blood Oath Pact No. 5

Three bourbons. Three distinct characters. One masterful blend by Lux Row Distillers — and one of the most approachable ways to explore what different barrel programs produce at the premium level.

Blood Oath is an annual limited release from Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky. Each Pact blends three bourbons selected and combined specifically for that edition — no two Pacts are identical. Pact No. 5 brings together three distinct expressions: an extra-aged, mahogany-colored bourbon with dark chocolate and pepper character; a silky wheated bourbon rich with vanilla and honey; and a younger bourbon finished in Caribbean rum barrels for a warm island spice finish.

The result is a bourbon that's genuinely greater than the sum of its parts — the dark weight of the extra-aged component balanced by the wheated softness and brightened by the rum barrel finish. It's the kind of blend that rewards careful attention across multiple sips.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Rich mahogany with deep amber notes.
• Aroma: Dark chocolate, vanilla, warm spice, and a subtle tropical sweetness from the rum barrel finish.
• Palate: Complex and layered — peppery dark chocolate from the extra-aged component, creamy vanilla and honey from the wheated bourbon, and warm Caribbean spice from the rum barrel finish. All three voices present and distinct.
• Finish: Long and warm — chocolate, vanilla, and island spice fading into a rich, satisfying close.

The Three Components

• Component 1: Extra-aged mahogany bourbon — peppery, dark chocolate character
• Component 2: Wheated bourbon — silky, vanilla and honey
• Component 3: Young bourbon, Caribbean rum barrel finish — warm island spice

Specs

• Distillery: Lux Row Distillers, Bardstown, Kentucky
• Style: Blended Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Size: 750ml
• Release: Blood Oath Pact No. 5

Explore the full Blood Oath collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What makes each Blood Oath Pact different? Each annual Pact is a unique blend of three bourbons selected specifically for that release — different ages, mashbills, and finishing casks each year. Pact No. 5 is the only release to combine an extra-aged mahogany bourbon, a wheated bourbon, and a rum barrel-finished bourbon in this specific ratio. It will not be reproduced.
• What is rum barrel finishing? Rum barrel finishing involves placing bourbon in casks previously used to age Caribbean rum. The residual rum character in the wood imparts tropical fruit, warm sweetness, and a subtle molasses note to the bourbon. In Pact No. 5, the rum-finished component adds brightness and warmth that balances the heavier aged and wheated components.
• Is Blood Oath a good intro to premium blended bourbon? Yes — the multi-component approach makes it more accessible and layered than single-barrel or single-mashbill releases. The approachable price relative to other premium annual releases makes it a strong entry point for drinkers exploring the upper tier of American whiskey.
• Who makes Blood Oath? Blood Oath is produced by Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky — one of the most active craft-to-premium distilleries in the Bourbon Capital of the World. Lux Row also produces Ezra Brooks, Rebel Yell, and David Nicholson under the same roof.