I’ve had Pact 5-8. Each one was better than the last, culminating with the masterpiece #7. Until I got to 8, which was good, but underwhelming and didn’t compare to its predecessor—or even close. So here’s to hoping Pact 9 turns this ship around. Nose: Gala apple, cranberry, golden raisin, and dried apricot. Toffee, caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar. Mint chocolate. Toasted almond and pistachio. Cocoa, pipe smoke, black tea, and orange citrus. Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, rye, and oak. Palate: Gala apple, cranberry, golden raisin, and dried apricot. Brown sugar, vanilla, milk chocolate, and toffee. Mint/raspberry chocolate. Saltwater taffy. Orange peel. Pipe smoke. Ginger. Rye spice. Irish soda bread and rye bread. Cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Heaps of rye spice. Cocoa, pipe smoke, and black tea. Peppercorn. Ginger. Orange peel. Lemongrass and dill. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, black pepper, and oak. Moderate-long. Now that is a good whiskey. High-rye bourbon whiskey aged in Olorosso sherry casks. I’m not even certain that is high-rye, but the profile paints that picture. All kinds of spice, sweet, and bready notes. It’s layered, and it’s a well-woven quilt. Blood Oath is back. It’s also more expensive. This ran me $225 (I think I had some store credit that brought this down significantly, but I judge these based on the original price,) which is more than double what I paid for Pacts 5-6. It’s clearly better than those, and is on par with the vaunted Pact 7. I’m inclined to give this a perfect 5/5. It’s simply outstanding—outside of my gripes with price. Well done to Lux Row.