Blood Oath Pact 12 Bourbon Review: Price and Details

Lux Row Distillers is releasing Blood Oath Pact 12 in June 2026, the latest annual limited edition from master distiller John Rempe. This year's bottle gets finished in Montepulciano and Sangiovese wine casks from Italy, marking the first time Rempe has used a double Italian wine cask finish in the Blood Oath series. The retail price is set at $129.99 per 750mL bottle, with only 17,000 three-pack cases hitting shelves nationwide. Early access starts April 25 at the Lux Row Distillers visitor center while supplies last.

What's Inside Blood Oath Pact 12

Rempe blended three different ryed bourbons for this release, sticking with the high-rye mashbill style that defines the Blood Oath lineup. The mix includes a 9-year ryed bourbon, a 12-year ryed bourbon, and a 7-year ryed bourbon that spent time in both Montepulciano and Sangiovese wine casks. Like every Blood Oath release, Rempe won't reveal where the bourbons originally came from — that's part of the mystique. The bottling proof stays consistent at 98.6 (49.3% ABV), the same as all previous Pacts.

The wine cask finishing is what sets Pact 12 apart. Montepulciano comes from Italy's Abruzzo region and brings deep cherry, leather, and cocoa notes. Sangiovese, the grape behind Chianti and other Tuscan wines, adds ripe red fruit, dried herbs, and a savory edge. The combination creates layers you won't find in standard bourbon finishes.

Pricing and Where to Find It

At $129.99 per bottle, Blood Oath Pact 12 sits in premium bourbon territory but remains accessible compared to ultra-limited allocated bottles that can run $300 or more. The total release is 51,000 bottles, with 1,400 held back for a future Trilogy release (Lux Row has released three Trilogy packs so far, bundling past Pacts together). Early birds can grab bottles directly from the distillery starting April 25, 2026, but the wider retail rollout happens in June.

Each bottle comes in the signature embossed glass with a burgundy and gold label, packed in a fire-branded wooden display box. The packaging alone makes it a solid gift or collector's piece. Check LuxRowDistillers.com for retailer locations, or call your local liquor store in June to see if they're getting an allocation.

Why Italian Wine Casks Matter

Wine cask finishing has become standard practice in craft bourbon, but most distillers stick with Port, Sherry, or French wine barrels. Rempe's decision to use Italian wine casks — and two different ones at that — adds a unique angle that appeals to both bourbon collectors and wine drinkers. Montepulciano and Sangiovese are known for their fruit-forward profiles without excessive sweetness, which complements high-rye bourbon better than heavier dessert wines.

The double finishing process means the 7-year bourbon component spent time in Montepulciano casks first, then moved to Sangiovese casks. This sequential approach layers flavors rather than mixing them randomly. For bourbon fans who've followed the Blood Oath series since Pact 1, this represents Rempe's most ambitious wine finishing project yet. The limited 17,000-case run also means this won't sit on shelves long once it drops in June.

What It Tastes Like

According to master distiller John Rempe, Blood Oath Pact 12 delivers the following profile:

• Nose: Ripe red fruit, dried herbs, and a hint of sun-kissed tomato leaves from the Sangiovese influence
• Palate: Opens with stone fruit and caramel balanced with vanilla, then develops into cocoa, leather, and oak notes
• Finish: Pleasant spice and black cherry from the Montepulciano casks, with ripe black cherry, leather, and spiced cocoa lingering

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Blood Oath Pact 12 cost?

Blood Oath Pact 12 retails for $129.99 per 750mL bottle. This is the suggested minimum retail price, so some stores may charge slightly more depending on local demand and allocation. The bottle will be available at the Lux Row Distillers visitor center starting April 25, 2026, with wider retail availability in June 2026.

Where can I buy Blood Oath Pact 12 bourbon?

Blood Oath Pact 12 will be available at select liquor stores nationwide starting in June 2026, with early access at the Lux Row Distillers location in Bardstown, Kentucky on April 25. Only 17,000 three-pack cases are being released, so availability will vary by state and retailer. Check LuxRowDistillers.com for a retailer locator or contact your local liquor store to ask about their allocation.

What makes Blood Oath Pact 12 different from previous releases?

Pact 12 is the first Blood Oath release to use a double Italian wine cask finish, combining Montepulciano and Sangiovese barrels. Previous Pacts have used different blending techniques and finishing methods, but this is master distiller John Rempe's first time using two Italian wine casks in sequence. The blend includes 9-year, 12-year, and 7-year ryed bourbons, with the 7-year component finished in both wine cask types.

Is Blood Oath Pact 12 a good investment bottle?

Blood Oath releases have historically held their value on the secondary market, with earlier Pacts sometimes selling above retail. However, buying bourbon as an investment is risky and unpredictable. At $129.99, Pact 12 is priced as a premium sipper, not a speculative flip. If you're interested in collecting or enjoying a well-crafted limited release with unique Italian wine finishing, it's worth grabbing at retail price.

What proof is Blood Oath Pact 12 bottled at?

Blood Oath Pact 12 is bottled at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV), the same proof as all previous Blood Oath releases. This is a signature of the series — John Rempe keeps the proof consistent year to year, letting the blend and finishing techniques differentiate each Pact rather than varying the alcohol content.