Blood Oath Pact No. 11 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finished in Añejo Tequila Barrels
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 Distillers Master Distiller and Master Blender John Rempe renews his annual pact with bourbon drinkers by releasing Blood Oath Pact 11 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Añejo Tequila Barrels. This year’s secret blend features a union of two well-bred bourbons – a 14-year ryed and a 10-year wheated – blended with an impressive 7-year ryed which was finished in barrels that held Añejo tequila. As with all of Rempe’s pacts, Blood Oath Pact 11 is offered at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).
Blood Oath Pact 11 will be available for in-person purchase while quantities last starting at 9:30 a.m. on April 26 at Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky. Purchases are limited to one bottle of Blood Oath Pact 11 per purchaser, and no bottles will be held or shipped. Special snacks and sampling opportunities will be available for visitors enjoying the day at the distillery. For fans who are unable to visit in person, a limited supply of 17,000 (3-in) cases of Blood Oath Pact 11 will start arriving at retail in April at a minimum suggested retail price of $129.99 per 750 mL bottle.
Blood Oath Pact 11 combines three of the finest rare bourbons Rempe could find. The blend is elevated further by the Añejo-barrel finish which lends a distinctive complexity and richness to the pour.
“The tasting experience for Blood Oath Pact 11 begins with the warmth of vanilla and black pepper, sweetly infused with spice and oak,” said Rempe. “From there, notes of cherry and citrus subtly emerge, guiding towards a velvety finish highlighted by black cherry and decadent dark chocolate. It’s a gorgeous expression that’s sure to surprise and please bourbon and tequila drinkers alike.”
Although Rempe doesn’t reveal which famous bourbons were used for the Pact 11 blend, it’s no secret his appreciation for aged tequilas helped shape this year’s offering.
“Añejo tequila has delicious and rich notes due to its aging in bourbon barrels,” said Rempe. “By utilizing the Añejo barrels for this year’s Pact 11, we brought our bourbon full circle while picking up all of the best attributes and flavor notes along the way.”
Lux Row only releases one new Blood Oath Pact annually, and each limited edition features a distinctive label on an embossed glass bottle. This year, a mahogany-colored label with gold highlights adorns the Blood Oath Pact 11 bottle. And like its predecessors, each bottle of Blood Oath Pact 11 comes in a commemorative fire-branded wooden display box.
The official launch of Blood Oath Pact 11 will include a total allocation of 51,000 bottles, 1,400 of which will be held for a future Trilogy release. The first Trilogy featuring Pacts 1, 2 and 3, was released in 2018; the second Trilogy featuring Pacts 4, 5 and 6, was released in September 2021 in conjunction with National Bourbon Heritage Month; and the third Blood Oath Trilogy, featuring Pacts 7, 8 and 9, was offered in 2023.
For more information or to find a bottle of Blood Oath Pact 11 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Añejo Tequila Barrels visit LuxRowDistillers.com.
What Gary Says
Nose: Vanilla, grilled corn, orange zest, honey with a vegetal note.
Palate: Vanilla, cracked pepper, chili oil, lime, grapefruit and a bit of milk chocolate.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with vegetal notes.
Comments: The tequila influence is apparent, and while not overwhelming it does seem to mask the caramel notes one would typically associate with bourbon – especially bourbon with this much age (although not clear how much of the mix the 14 year and 10 year bourbons make up, but even 7 years old isn’t young!) I’m not particularly a big fan of tequila, and while this wasn’t objectionable necessarily it did leave me wanting for more of that caramel I enjoy in bourbon. The grilled corn and vegetal notes are interesting, and definitely something I associate more with tequila.