Blood Oath Bourbon Pact No. 11

Introduction: Every year, when Blood Oath releases their annual Pact, I can hardly contain my excitement. I’ve been collecting Blood Oaths since around Pact VIII —some of the earlier releases were truly spectacular. These days, finding those older bottles usually means paying a small fortune, so when a new Pact hits the shelves, I make sure to grab one at the suggested retail price right away. This year, Blood Oath took an unexpected turn by finishing the bourbon in Añejo tequila barrels. I’ve been exploring Añejo tequilas myself lately, so this release felt perfectly timed—though I didn’t really know what to expect. Tequilas and bourbons are very different creatures in my eyes. So, there’s only one way to find out. Let’s get into these tasting notes. Nose: On the front, an immediate hit of brown sugar and maple sweetness rises first, quickly joined by a dusting of black peppercorn. Beneath that, there’s an unmistakable herbaceous quality—the familiar agave-like note from tequila—woven through the darker sweetness. It’s intriguing, balanced between warm bourbon character and something distinctly foreign yet inviting. As it opens, the sweetness and herbaceous tones stay intertwined, creating a mild, mellow profile without sharpness or heat. On the back of the nose, a faintly yeasty, sweet bakery-bun aroma appears, softening everything with bready warmth. Overall, the nose is dominated by sugary and herbaceous character, bridging bourbon and tequila worlds. Taste: It begins relatively innocent, showing the familiar character of a well-balanced high-rye bourbon. A touch of black peppercorn spice greets the front of the palate, underlaid by creamy caramel and a faint thread of bittersweet dark chocolate. About halfway through, a tongue-tingling herbaceousness emerges—clearly drawn from the Añejo barrel influence—carrying that earthy, agave-driven character toward the finish. The flavor is notably less sweet than the nose would suggest; none of the brown sugar or maple appears here. Instead, there’s a denser mouthfeel, almost a chewiness, echoing the faintly yeasty, bready tone from the nose. Toward the back, the spice intensifies—not baking-spice dry, but a black peppercorn and mild chili-pepper heat—with a touch of tannic dryness leading into the finish. Finish: The finish dries up considerably, letting the oak shine. Tannic oak and cinnamon linger before that familiar herbaceous agave returns, a clear reminder of the Añejo barrel. It’s a curious but tasty mix: a dry, high-rye, tannic bourbon finish blended with the spicy-sweet warmth of Añejo tequila—unexpected yet satisfying. Conclusion: This was an interesting one from Blood Oath—maybe not among my absolute favorites. It pales a bit next to Pact X, but it’s different and intriguing. That’s the hallmark of Blood Oath bourbons: even when they’re not the standout of the series, they never taste like anything else. I highly recommend picking up each yearly release at the suggested retail price if you can; they always deliver either a spectacular bourbon or a fresh, creative experiment. For Pact XI, I’d call it about seventy-thirty: 70 percent high-rye bourbon, 30 percent Añejo influence. The tequila character never overwhelms, but it definitely reminds you it’s there.

Following the excellent Blood Oath Pact 10, I've observed that their top Blood Oath bottlings are typically the wine cask finishes (excluding the Calvados cask, which I liked the least overall). I've sampled all of them since Pact 5, and they are generally quite good. Nose: A lively aroma with significant black pepper and pipe smoke. Vanilla and caramel notes are present, along with honey, cocoa, toasted almond and walnut. Hints of cranberry and raisin, like baked apple pie. Orange rind, sawdust, clove and nutmeg. Spicy pineapple and pumpkin spice. Marshmallow and brown sugar. The aroma finishes with black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: The toasted almond and walnut are prominent. Milk chocolate, vanilla, and caramel are noticeable. All the cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak spice come through. Some fudge and brown sugar are mixed in. Apple, pear, and marshmallow. Grilled pineapple. Pipe smoke and cocoa are also present. Finish: Sawdust, black pepper, clove, and nutmeg. Caramel and brown sugar. Cocoa. Plenty of toffee and vanilla. Baked apple pie. Pineapple. Oak. It has a moderate length. This is a solid pour. It truly embodies an Autumn-bourbon character. It has that Thanksgiving pie essence with dominant spice and brown sugar. I've often found that tequila barrels can diminish a spirit's natural character; in this instance, it's enhanced. At $150, this represents a substantial price reduction for a Blood Oath Series that has seen consistent price increases annually. It's $75 less than the previous release and the lowest price I've encountered since Pact 7. This certainly offers good value for money. I would strongly endorse this bottling. It doesn't quite reach the level of my ultimate favorite Blood Oath Pacts, but it's only a slight step down. Excellent value for an enjoyable whiskey. 4.5/5.

The bottle has been open for a few months. Aroma: Initial notes of hay and botanicals. Stone fruit like apricot. Palate: Present from the start, candy corn with cinnamon, French toast, some peppermint towards the end, pecan. Medium finish, but a sweetness continues. The tequila influence is most noticeable on the nose, perhaps adding some botanical notes to the finish, but it's very pleasant.

Aroma of oak, soy sauce, roasted corn, grape must, fruit peel. Palate offers oranges, cherry, wood, grape jelly, anise.

Worth the cost. The spice and flavor are superb. It has the ideal rye content for my preference.

Aroma of chocolate, peanuts, leather. Taste of dark chocolate, spicy, dense.