Blood Oath 5 Vs. Blood Oath 6

I’ve been looking forward to doing this comparison, but was waiting to get ahold of Blood Oath #6. I’m very glad I did find a bottle, because #6 is special. I love this concept from Lux Row, and the fact that it’s a personal project of master distiller John Rempe.

#5) This bottle is a blend of an 11 year-old wheated bourbon, a 13yo high-rye bourbon, and an 8yo bourbon that was aged in rum casks… 

The nose starts sweet, with vanilla, rum and Coke. The palate follows with brown-sugar sweetness, vanilla, Coke, and hints of rum. The finish is is fairly light, and continues the sweetness along with a mild alcohol burn. This is very enjoyable, but I would not call this a very complex pour.

#6) A blend of 3 high-rye bourbons, a 14yr, 8yr, and 7yr that was aged in Cognac barrels…

The nose is sweet, funky, musty grape, and peanuts. Palate is smooth, with vanilla, caramel, orange peel, oak, and a hint of that musty cognac grape. At the end some of the roasted peanut flavors start to appear, and the finish is medium in length, with more musty oak, cognac, and spice. I really enjoy this one. The cognac barrels add just a touch of funk and complexity without at all taking over the whiskey. This one is definitely the superior dram in my opinion!

VERDICT) I would definitely pick up Blood Oath #6 if I saw it for $120. I’m not sure I would buy #5 for that price, but they are very nice bottles on your shelf!