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Blood Oath Pact 12 Bourbon Review

Can Italian dry red wine casks tame sweet Kentucky bourbon? Blood Oath Pact 12's double Montepulciano and Sangiovese finish may be the most polarizing yet.

OVERALL RATING

7
$129.99
  • Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Lux Row Distillers has announced Blood Oath Pact 12 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the latest annual limited-edition release from master distiller John Rempe. The bourbon, which features a first-ever double Italian wine cask finish using Montepulciano and Sangiovese barrels. A limited supply of 17,000 three-pack cases will reach shelves at a suggested retail price of $129.99 per 750ml bottle. The total allocation comprises 51,000 bottles, with 1,400 held for a future Trilogy release.

Blood Oath Pact 12 is bottled at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV) and features a blend of nine-year and 12-year ryed bourbons, along with a seven-year ryed bourbon finished first in Montepulciano casks and then in Sangiovese casks. As with all previous pacts, Rempe has not disclosed the origin of the bourbons used in the blend.

“I’m a fan of Italian wines’ flavor profiles and complexities, and I’m proud I was able to find the perfect combination for my first double Italian wine cask finish,” said Rempe. “Although I won’t share the recipe, I can tell you the complexity and nuances that the Montepulciano and Sangiovese casks have brought to this year’s Blood Oath Pact are next level.”
Appearance:
A dark burgundy color with nice legs which dicipate quickly. Tasted neat in a Glencairn. The box and label create a really lovely package.
Nose:
The complex dry wine cask finishes provide an interesting dance between the bourbon and the wine. The red wine cask has an acidic alcohol profile before the bourbon provides a sugared fruit profile. Touches of caramel, oak, and sweet bread.
Palate:
A nice oily mouthfeel combined with a nice heat despite the proof. The grains really open up along with the underlying casks. Some darker red fruits combine with wood, cigar box, and stone fruits. It really sits nicely on the tongue despite the dry acidity of the wine casks.
Finish:
The wine finish really shows off on the finish. The dry red provides a long finish over the bourbon. As the notes blend, you have a dryness across the palate that reinforces some of the tannin flavors associated with these wines.
Comments:
You will be a fan of this or you won’t. I’ve had a few Blood Oaths in my time, and I can’t recall one which, I think, will be more polarizing. The cask finish is different given they’re Italian dry red wines, so the higher acidity and complex fruit don’t really complement sweet bourbon as much as contrast it. Sometimes there is beauty in opposing forces but sometimes it’s just chaos. Personally, I enjoyed the complexity and unique profile, but I also see others potentially being rather displeased.

If you are curious, I would go for a dram at a bar first. I think you won’t be upset that you spent bar prices on this dram before you spend bottle prices. It really is a special occasion bourbon, and I don’t mean a birthday or anniversary. I mean you need the right crowd of enthusiasts or a wine group looking for a neat exploration.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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Blood Oath Pact 12 Bourbon Review

October 9, 2026

Can Italian dry red wine casks tame sweet Kentucky bourbon? Blood Oath Pact 12’s double Montepulciano and Sangiovese finish may be the most polarizing yet.

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