It’s exhausting to consider however Luxco’s Blood Oath is now on its eleventh spherical, and this expression turns to the sorta-trending use of tequila as a ending barrel. This yr’s mix includes a marriage of two bourbons — a 14-year-old ryed bourbon and a 10-year-old wheated bourbon. These are unfinished, however the duo is then blended with a 3rd bourbon, a 7-year-old ryed bourbon — that was completed in barrels that held añejo tequila.
Let’s dig in.
Blood Oath Bourbon Whiskey Pact 11 2025 Evaluate
I’ve by no means been effusive about any whiskey-tequila marriage, however Blood Oath 11 works pretty properly, largely as a result of the tequila affect is delicate — although removed from invisible. The nostril kicks off with a charry, rye-heavy character that presents as basic, well-oiled bourbon, a basic mix of spice, vanilla, and chocolate notes. Give it 10 minutes in a glass, although, and the anejo tequila begins to return into focus. Salty, virtually sweaty at instances, with an natural/peppery bent and a sweetness that veers extra towards maple syrup. Seasoned tequila drinkers will acknowledge the well-aged tequila high quality right here because it slowly washes away the extra bourbon-driven components of the expertise.
The palate undoubtedly leans tougher into the core bourbon on the coronary heart of the expertise, the spice right here primarily evoking the rye within the combine quite than agave. The tequila does assist to make for a racier, extra peppery high quality on the tongue, complementing the extra pastoral notes of the rye spice with a more energizing, extra jalapeno-like raciness. Caramel and vanilla notes pair with a lightweight rhubarb-meets-sarsaparilla high quality because the end builds, culminating in late-game components of toasted coconut, some pink fruits, and a grind or two of black pepper.
In the end, the whiskey reveals itself to be a busy one, although some drinkers could actually gravitate to that high quality — particularly if well-aged tequila can also be in your wheelhouse. For me, the expertise is extra scattered than I’d like, although I’ll agree it has loads of charms — and an entirely completely different profile than the standard fare — meriting at the least a certified advice.
98.6 proof. 51,000 bottles produced.
B+ / $130 / bloodoathbourbon.com [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]