Blood Oath Pact No. 9

Blood Oath Pact No. 9 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finished in Oloroso Sherry casks

49.3% ABV
$130
Website

We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Blender Says

Lux Row master distiller and master blender John Rempe renews his annual pact with bourbon drinkers with the release of Blood Oath Pact 9 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. A limited supply of 17,000 (3-pack) cases will arrive at retail this April at a suggested price of $129.99 per 750 ml bottle. As with all of Rempe’s pacts, Blood Oath Pact 9 is offered at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).

Blood Oath Pact 9 combines some of the finest extra-aged bourbons Rempe could find, including a 16-year ryed bourbon and a 12-year ryed bourbon, as well as a 7-year ryed bourbon finished in Oloroso Sherry casks from the Sherry Triangle region in southwest Spain. These casks impart unique woody and ripe-fruit aromas and flavors to make Blood Oath Pact 9 a memorable pour.

“Blood Oath Pact 9 contains three great bourbons, and the Oloroso Sherry cask finish has resulted in a deep, dark amber liquid with long legs,” said Rempe. “The Oloroso Sherry casks also bring out tasting notes of sweet sherry with hints of ripe fruit on the nose, as well as flavor notes highlighted by ripe fruits including figs, plums and raisins, with notes of molasses, chocolate and tobacco. This bourbon also provides a long-lasting finish characterized by fruit notes and complemented by hints of spicy oak. I’m proud to share Blood Oath Pact 9 with bourbon lovers.”

Each Blood Oath pact has featured a different colored label. This year, Blood Oath Pact 9 features a label that is deep crimson in color. And like its predecessors, each bottle of Blood Oath Pact 9 comes in a commemorative fire-branded wooden display box.

The official launch of Blood Oath Pact 9 will include a total allocation of 51,00 bottles, 1,400 of which will be held for a future Trilogy Pack release. The first Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 1, 2 and 3, was released in 2018, and the second Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 4, 5 and 6, was released in September 2021 in conjunction with National Bourbon Heritage Month. The next Blood Oath Trilogy Pack, featuring Pacts 7, 8 and 9, will be offered in 2024.

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Sweet sherry with hints of ripe fruit.
PALATE: A melody of ripe fruits including figs, plums, and raisins, with notes of molasses and chocolate.
FINISH: Long lasting fruit notes complemented by hints of spicy oak.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, fruitcake with apricots, baked apples, brown sugar, oak, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Palate:  Sweet with caramel, fruity with apples and raisins, chocolate and a hit of cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderate in length, slightly drying with caramel, mixed fruit and wood spice.
Comments: This is another solid addition to the Blood Oath lineup. Continue to appreciate the subtly of their finishing, and maintaining the bourbon as the star of the show. This one does get better with time in the glass, and a bit of water (but not too much) brings out more cinnamon baked apples on the nose along with a hint of clove, and a note of cherry cola on the palate. Very nice, and fruity for sure although less in the ‘dark fruit’ spectrum that I associate with an oloroso sherry matured scotch. Not sure how much of that is finishing vs maturation, or the nature of the spirit itself – but I like it!

Rating: Stands Out