Blood Oath - Pact No. 8
$119
Blood Oath – Pact No. 8
Proof: 98.6
Age: Blend of a 14 year Ryed Bourbon, 11 year Ryed Bourbon and a 8 year Ryed Bourbons
Distillery: Lux Row Distillers
Type: Finished (Calvados Casks) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash: Unknown
Website: Blood Oath Bourbon
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Rye Spice and Cinnamon, Musty Book Store, Apple, Old Leather, Oak, & Vanilla Custard.
Taste/Palate: Creamy Mouthfeel. Rye Spice and Cinnamon lead the way with Apple, Lightly Charred Oak, Cocoa Powder, and Butterscotch close behind.
Finish: A bit chewy on the finish and a lot of unpack. There’s sweet – Caramel, Vanilla, Sweet Apple & other Light Fruits. Mature – Charred Oak, Tobacco & Cocoa. Spicy – Cinnamon & Rye.
Verdict: Do yourself a favor and try this pour a couple times – If you can. It took a few takes to unpack this. It was very enjoyable from start to finish and definitely different than the Pact 7. Both very good and I can’t honestly can’t say which one I prefer… Which is a good thing. It’s solid for its $119 MSRP. Any time you ask for above $100 I feel there needs to be some sort of wow-factor. This one delivers. On secondary I see this ranging from $350 – $450. Feel free if you like lighting cash on fire, but I can’t see that price justified.
The Story: I’ve had my eye on the Blood Oath line since they came out with Pact 3. Could I find it.. Nope. I was fortunate the past could years to grab the 7 and the 8. I can’t compare to any of the prior versions, but my experience of just the two I have enjoyed I can see why there is hype behind this line.
The Distillery’s Story: “That every batch of Blood Oath is the undertaking of one man — a student of both bourbon and science. Loyal to no one family, favoring no one distillery and bound by no one philosophy – this bourbon connoisseur has one goal in mind – to seek out bourbons rare and wonderful, famous and forgotten. Then bottle them in combinations previously unimagined for a lucky few. Not to cater to anyone’s loyalties, he has sworn to never reveal where he finds his bourbon, but only to promise to choose and make the best he knows. Loose lips never tasted something so special.”
John Rempe (Blood Oath Creator) said “I’ve once again sourced three great Bourbons for Blood Oath Pact 8, and I’m particularly excited to include a Bourbon finished in Calvados casks. The Calvados cask will bring additional tasting notes characterized by slight apple on the nose, with hints of vanilla and cinnamon, as well as flavor notes of ripe apples, juicy pears, butterscotch, and even subtle hints of chocolate. Blood Oath Pact 8 is a Bourbon I’m proud to share with Bourbon lovers, but the recipe is a secret I’ll be keeping to myself.”
For those who aren’t familiar with the Blood Oath Line they source bourbons from unknown locations, sometimes finish a portion of the blend, and balance together what they believe to be a one of a kind blend. The creator, as noted above, keeps the blend recipe a secret, therefore the namesake of the Blood Oath line. I will be looking for future releases with excitement.
My only “complaint” – A little more on the line. the proof is always 98.6. Not sure why this is a must. I get it for a standard house blend and consistency sake, but with different blends and finishes each year I would guess that each blend’s sweet spot would fall within a different proof. I won’t argue with results, because these two are excellent, but that’s my only gripe. Maybe it’s homage to the ideal human body temperature?
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too
5. Average. Not bad, but not special.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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