Blood Oath Pact 3 is a blend of different bourbons like Blood Oath Pact 1 and Blood Oath Pact 2 though with two major differences. First there is no wheated (rebel yell) bourbon to be found in the Blood Oath Pact 3, all three bourbons use rye as their secondary grain making this a more unique blend than previous releases. Secondly is the use of the Cabernet barrels.
In Luxco’s Words: Blood Oath Pact 3
“A masterful union of well-bred bourbons. Taking the lead is a far-from-shy, sharp and floral rye, finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels for a dry, blackberry and espresso complexity. This, coupled with a well-seasoned, rye bourbon, rich with fragrant vanilla, toasted caramel, oranges and oak. Be grateful for this fateful affair between Kentucky and California.”
While the actual ratios aren’t known the base bourbons are a 12-year-old bourbon, a 7-year-old bourbon and a 7-year-old bourbon finished in the cab barrels. So it’s not the whole bourbon that was finished, but one of the three “ingredients” – kinda wish it had been the whole thing instead. Now all that’s left now is to check out how it all comes together in the Blood Oath Pact 3 review below.
Blood Oath Pact 3 Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Bottler: Luxco
Mashbill: At least 51% corn + rye + malted barley
Cask: New Charred Oak and Cabernet Sauvignon
Age: 7 years (12 years + 7 year + 7 Year finished in Cab)
ABV: 49.3%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 3
Price: $100*
Blood Oath Pact 3 Review
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Oak, dried cherry heavy dark fruit, butterscotch, cinnamon, roasted nuts and a light bit of vanilla and a floral-vegetal note.
PALATE
Caramel, oak, prune dark fruit, roasted nuts, cinnamon and nutmeg heavy baking spice, vanilla taffy and a bit of butterscotch and peanut butter pop in right before it drops into the finish.
FINISH
Long wavy layers of butterscotch, oak, dark fruit and spice.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, full body and an oily delivery.
OVERALL
Blood Oath Pact 3 is good.The aroma is thick and oaky with a a nice sweet support structure and the palate flips it a bit coming in sweet at first but then turns oaky and rustic before heading back to sweet as it rolls into the finish. I don’t get any of the wine notes even after adding water, but as a bourbon it’s a solid tasty thing with a decent sense of oak driven age to it.
The first Blood Oath was decent, I really enjoyed the second and now I’m enjoying the Blood Oath Pact 3 as well. Yes there’s always the issue of the price, but I’ve given up commenting on that because with the way prices are going these days it doesn’t really matter if you price it at $50 or $250 whisk(e)y flies off the shelves.
Different groups will be buying them for different reasons, but in the end the market will bear what the market will bear… so whatever. Blood Oath Pact 3 is a good whiskey and if it’s in your price range go for it. If it’s not, then don’t fret about it and just buy something else.
SCORE: 86/100 (B+)
*Disclosure: This Blood Oath Pact 3 sample was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
