John Rempe

Remus Repeal Reserve Series X vs Ezra Brooks 12-Year: Which Bourbon Reigns Supreme?

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Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! It’s “Two for Tuesday,” and we are cracking into two heavy-hitting, highly anticipated bottles fresh from our trip to Bardstown, Kentucky: the ultra-exclusive Ezra Brooks 12-Year Single Barrel (Lux Row Hand-Bottled Program) and the milestone 10th Anniversary Remus Repeal Reserve Series X!

We picked both of these bottles up at Lux Row Distillers during an incredible event with master distillers John Rempe, Stephen Beam, and Ian Stirsman. But at very different price points, which bottle truly earns its place on your home bar shelf?

Let us know in the comments: Have you picked up Remus Repeal Reserve Series X yet? Would you pay $200 for a 12-year hand-bottled single barrel from Lux Row? 

🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and ring the notification bell so you never miss another pour on Your Bourbon Journey! Always remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!

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1️⃣ Ezra Brooks 12-Year Single Barrel Bourbon (Lux Row Hand-Bottled)

• Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

• Age: 12 Years | Proof: 99 (49.5% ABV)

• Barrel No.: 6155211 | SRP / Paid: $199.99

• Notes: Hand-filled, wax-dipped distillery exclusive, charcoal filtered prior to aging in deep char American oak. 

2️⃣ Remus Repeal Reserve Series X (10th Anniversary Edition)

• Mash Bill: Medley of 5 vintages (2008–2017) spanning 3 high-rye mash bills:

   – 35% 2016 Bourbon (60/36/4 LBSV)

   – 19% 2014 Bourbon (60/36/4 LBSV)

   – 17% 2017 Bourbon (51/49 LISV – Historic debut in Repeal Reserve!)

   – 15% 2016 Bourbon (75/21/4 LESV)

   – 14% 2008 Bourbon (75/21/4 LESV)

• Age: Blend of 9- to 18-year-old bourbons | Proof: 107

• SRP: $79.99 | Paid: $89.99

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Blood Oath Pact 12 Tasting: A Home Run Double Wine Finish! 

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Today, Wayne and Rebecca are cracking open a highly anticipated bottle straight from Bardstown, Kentucky: the brand new Blood Oath Pact 12 Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Lux Row Distillers!

Released in April 2026, this year’s limited-edition blend by Master Distiller John Rempe features Blood Oath’s first-ever double Italian wine cask finish. We’re breaking down everything you need to know about this unique release—from its 98.6 standard “blood temperature” proof to how the 7-year ryed bourbon component reacts after resting in fruit-forward Montepulciano and savory Sangiovese casks.

Is this 2026 release a home run compared to last year’s tequila finish? Does the high-rye MGP mash bill bring the spice? And does it actually drink hotter than its 98.6 proof suggests? We dive into the incredible nose, the jammy mid-palate mouthfeel, and the lingering black pepper finish.

We picked our bottle up right at the distillery for $159.99—find out if you should make the trip to Bardstown to hunt down one of the 51,000 bottles available!

If you love whiskey reviews, flight breakdowns, and unboxing rare allocations, make sure to hit that SUBSCRIBE button and join us on the journey!

Always remember to drink responsibly. Today, drink your temperature: 98.6! Cheers! 🥃

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

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Blood Oath Pact 12

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Luxco (MGP Ingredients)
  • Distillery: Lux Row Distillers (Bardstown, KY) — Blended and bottled by Master Distiller John Rempe using sourced, undisclosed bourbons.
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (Ryed Bourbon mash bills)
  • Age: A blend of 9-year and 12-year ryed bourbons, combined with a 7-year ryed bourbon.
  • Proof: 98.6 Proof (49.3% ABV)
  • SRP: $129.99
  • Released: April 25, 2026 (Distillery release); June 2026 (National retail rollout)
  • Other: This edition features the brand’s first double Italian wine cask finish. The 7-year component was rested first in fruit-forward Montepulciano casks and then refined in savory Sangiovese casks. Total production was limited to 51,000 bottles, with 1,400 bottles held back for a future Trilogy release.
  • Purchased: 05/29/26 for $159.99 at LuxRow Distillery, Bardstown KY

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

#BloodOathPact12 #BourbonReview #LuxRowDistillers #WhiskeyTasting #BloodOathBourbon #BourbonJourney #WineFinishedBourbon #LimitedEditionBourbon #AmericanWhiskey #BourbonHunting #BardstownKy #JohnRempe #MGPBourbon #WhiskeyReview #Cheers

May 2025 Whiskey of the Month: Blind Reveal!

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🔥🥃 Blind Whiskey BATTLE ROYALE! Who Will Be Our May 2025 CHAMPION?! 🏆

Alright, buckle up, whiskey fanatics! 🚀 Get ready for a showdown of EPIC proportions! 🥃 In this thrilling blind tasting adventure, we’re putting THREE incredible contenders head-to-head to crown the UNDISPUTED champion of our May 2025 whiskey lineup! 👑

Prepare your senses for an immersive journey into the captivating aromas and tantalizing flavors of these contenders:

  • ✴️ Bernheim Single Barrel (A225)
  • ✴️ Blood Oath Pact 11
  • ✴️ Wild Turkey 101 8-Year

🚫 No labels, no biases – just pure, unadulterated whiskey appreciation! 👀 Join us as we meticulously nose 👃, sip 😋, and savor each dram, dissecting the intricate notes on the nose, the delightful dance on the palate 👅, the satisfying lingering finish ✨, and that crucial je ne sais quoi that makes a whiskey truly special. 🤔

Will the barrel-proof powerhouse 💪 dominate the competition? Will the elegantly aged spirit ⏳ steal the show? Or will a unique finish 🍇 or a captivating single barrel charm ✨ take home the ultimate crown? We’re ranking them from 3rd place to the coveted 1st place spot🥇, and the suspense is building with every sip! 🤯

Smash that play button ▶️ and join the ultimate tasting party! 🎉 Grab your own glass 🥂 (of whatever you’re sipping on!), settle in for some serious whiskey talk 🗣️, and experience the thrill of the grand reveal with us! Get ready for potential surprises 🎁 and definitely a fantastic time! Cheers to an unforgettable evening of delicious discovery! 🥳 Sláinte! 🍀

#WhiskeyOfTheMonth #BlindWhiskeyTasting #bourbonreview

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🔥DETAILS REGARDING OUR THREE FINALISTS🔥 (in alphabetical order): 

✴️ Bernheim Barrel Proof A225

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey
  • Distillery: Bernheim Distillery (Heaven Hill)
  • Mash Bill: 51% Wheat, 37% Corn, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7-9 Years
  • Proof: 125.4
  • Released: March 2025
  • Original YouTube Review: https://youtu.be/reEe3BgOa40 

✴️ Blood Oath Pact 11

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Lux Row Distillery
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed/Blended
  • Age/Blend Notes: Blend of (a) 14-year ryed bourbon, (b) 10-year wheated bourbon, (c) 7-year ryed bourbon that was finished in Añejo Tequila Barrels
  • Age: 7 years
  • Proof: 98.6 (always!)
  • Released: April 26, 2025
  • Original YouTube Review: https://youtu.be/jg0dprXwIRk 

✴️ Wild Turkey 101 8-Year

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 8 Year minimum
  • Proof: 101
  • Released: April 2025
  • Original YouTube Review: https://youtu.be/8n0PZlDL2Qo 

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

Is Blood Oath Pact 11 Worth the Hype? 

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The bourbon world holds its breath… The 2025 Blood Oath Pact 11 has descended! Witness our first encounter with this year’s highly anticipated release from Lux Row Distillery – a daring Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that has journeyed through the rich embrace of Añejo Tequila barrels.

Master Distiller John Rempe returns, forging his eleventh annual pact with a clandestine blend of exceptional bourbons. Uncover the mystery of a venerable 14-year ryed, a velvety 10-year wheated, and a captivating 7-year ryed elevated by its Añejo tequila barrel finish. At 98.6 proof, this is a pact demanding your attention.

Embark on a sensory expedition with us as we unravel the visual allure, inhale the captivating bouquet, navigate the complex taste profile, and contemplate the final whispers of Blood Oath Pact 11.

The moment of truth arrives: Will the 2025 Blood Oath Pact 11 finished in Añejo Tequila Barrels earn a coveted spot in your collection (“Buy”), a respectful nod (“Pass”), or an urgent acquisition (“Back up!”)? Our unvarnished opinion awaits!

Don’t let future liquid treasures slip through your fingers! Subscribe and become part of our passionate community dedicated to the pursuit of extraordinary spirits. Raise a glass to Pact 11!

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Blood Oath Pact 11 (2025)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Luxco
  • Distillery: Lux Row Distillery
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed/Blended
  • Age/Blend Notes: Blend of (a) 14-year ryed bourbon, (b) 10-year wheated bourbon, (c) 7-year ryed bourbon that was finished in Añejo Tequila Barrels
  • Age: 7 years
  • Proof: 98.6 (always!)
  • MSRP: $129.99
  • Released: April 26, 2025
  • Purchased: 05/01/25 for $159.99 at Lux Row in Bardstown, KY

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.