I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Lux Row for providing this review sample with no strings attached.
In previous years, I’ve shared my love of many of Lux Row Master Distiller John Rempe’s creations. Including many of the Blood Oath series. They are always one-time recipes. Most of them have included some sort of finished bourbon in the blend. This time they are using Calvados, which has me pretty excited. While I like a good brandy, I really like a good Apple Brandy. Which is what Calvados is: very good French Apple Brandy. Well, at least the ones that I’ve had have been good. I guess I can’t speak to the entire drink category.
Anyway, let’s hear what Lux Row has to say about all of this.
Blood Oath Pact 8 features a combination of the finest bourbons Rempe could find, including a 14-year ryed bourbon and an 11-year ryed bourbon, as well as an 8-year ryed bourbon finished in Calvados casks. Calvados is an apple or pear brandy from the Normandy region in northwestern France that is distilled from cider and aged for a minimum of two years in oak casks. These casks impart their unique aroma and flavor to make Blood Oath Pact 8 a one-of-a-kind pour.
So let’s see how this one tastes, shall we?
Blood Oath Pact 8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $119.99 for a 750 mL bottle.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $8.00
Details: 49.3% ABV. 3 Bourbons: a 14-year-old bourbon, an 11-year-old bourbon, and an 8-year-old bourbon that was finished in Calvados casks.
Nose: Almond, caramel apple, and hints of brown sugar and cinnamon.
Mouth: Nicely spicy with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg to start. Notes of herbal vanilla, apple, and brown sugar follow.
Finish: Warm and long. Notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Thoughts: This is quite tasty. I think that if I saw this on the shelf and passed it by, my wife would be quite upset with me, even at the newly increased price. I'm a fan, but she really likes it. This is odd and worth noting because she is not a fan of Calvados or any Brandy for that matter. Apple or otherwise. I guess that just goes to show the value of having a great blender.
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