Review: Blood Oath Bourbon Whiskey Pact 11 2025

It’s hard to believe but Luxco’s Blood Oath is now on its 11th round, and this expression turns to the sorta-trending use of tequila as a finishing barrel. This year’s blend features a marriage of two bourbons — a 14-year-old ryed bourbon and a 10-year-old wheated bourbon. These are unfinished, but the duo is then blended with a third bourbon, a 7-year-old ryed bourbon — that was finished in barrels that held añejo tequila.

Let’s dig in.

Blood Oath Bourbon Whiskey Pact 11 2025 Review

I’ve never been effusive about any whiskey-tequila marriage, but Blood Oath 11 works fairly well, in large part because the tequila influence is subtle — though far from invisible. The nose kicks off with a charry, rye-heavy character that presents as classic, well-oiled bourbon, a classic blend of spice, vanilla, and chocolate notes. Give it 10 minutes in a glass, though, and the anejo tequila starts to come into focus. Salty, almost sweaty at times, with an herbal/peppery bent and a sweetness that veers more toward maple syrup. Seasoned tequila drinkers will recognize the well-aged tequila quality here as it slowly washes away the more bourbon-driven elements of the experience.

The palate definitely leans harder into the core bourbon at the heart of the experience, the spice here primarily evoking the rye in the mix rather than agave. The tequila does help to make for a racier, more peppery quality on the tongue, complementing the more pastoral notes of the rye spice with a fresher, more jalapeno-like raciness. Caramel and vanilla notes pair with a light rhubarb-meets-sarsaparilla quality as the finish builds, culminating in late-game elements of toasted coconut, some red fruits, and a grind or two of black pepper.

Ultimately, the whiskey reveals itself to be a busy one, though some drinkers may really gravitate to that quality — especially if well-aged tequila is also in your wheelhouse. For me, the experience is more scattered than I’d like, though I will agree it has plenty of charms — and a wholly different profile than the usual fare — meriting at least a qualified recommendation.

98.6 proof. 51,000 bottles produced.

B+ / $130 / bloodoathbourbon.com [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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