Blood Oath Pact No. 2

Volume: 750mL | Release Year: 2016 | Age: A Premium Marriage of 11-Year and 7-Year Bourbons | Proof: 98.6 (49.3% ABV) | Cask Style: Finished in Charred European Oak Barrels | Rarity: Extremely Rare Vintage Allocation

The Second Chapter of the Pact

Following the explosive debut of the series, Master Blender John Rempe raised the stakes in 2016 with Blood Oath Pact No. 2. Keeping his sacred vow to create a small-batch liquid masterpiece that would never be replicated, Pact No. 2 represents a major milestone for the brand—introducing the line’s very first secondary wood finish. By introducing transatlantic barrel profiles to traditional American rickhouse stocks, this vintage release achieved a level of layered complexity that cemented the Blood Oath lineup as an annual holy grail for collectors.

A Complex Marriage of Wheated & Rye Stocks

To construct a spirit that honors the original release while carving out its own unique footprint, Rempe meticulously selected and blended three exceptional bourbon components:

• The 11-Year Wheated Component: A highly refined, smooth wheated bourbon that softens the profile, providing a rich, velvety mouthfeel and notes of sweet cream.

• The 11-Year Rye Component: An aged, robust high-rye bourbon that adds massive depth, structural tannins, and dry, historic oak characteristics.

• The 7-Year Rye Component: A spirited, rye-forward bourbon that injects the blend with a lively energy, bright fruit notes, and excellent baking spice.

The First Cross-Atlantic Innovation: Charred European Oak

Once the three base bourbons were perfectly married, the blend was moved into deeply charred European oak barrels. This specific secondary wood choice alters the liquid’s final architecture, imparting a distinct Old World complexity. The European oak layers the classic Kentucky caramel-and-vanilla base with intense undertones of bitter dark cocoa, toasted nuts, and a sophisticated, dry wood spice that traditional American white oak cannot produce on its own.

Tasting Notes from the 2016 Vault

Bottled at the brand’s iconic, body-temperature-matched 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV), Pact No. 2 balanced wood heat with smooth, oily luxury:

• Color: Deep, radiant chestnut amber with brilliant mahogany legs.

• Nose: Rich and deeply inviting. Big notes of toasted hazelnut, dark maple syrup, and sweet vanilla bean are beautifully balanced by an underlying dry leather and oak spice profile.

• Palate: Creamy, luxurious, and instantly warming. Sweet caramel and vanilla pudding hit the front of the palate, followed rapidly by dense layers of dark cocoa, roasted espresso bean, clove, and black pepper from the rye and European timber.

• Finish: Exceptionally long and complex. A beautifully dry, velvety finish leaves trailing notes of toasted oak, rich dark chocolate, and a slight touch of dried red fruits.

An Exceedingly Rare Collector’s Prize

Adorned with its distinctive deep crimson parchment label, hand-stamped wax seal, and housed in its original commemorative wooden display crate, Blood Oath Pact No. 2 is a masterpiece of modern blending. For collectors aiming to build out a complete vertical flight of the Blood Oath series, or investors looking for a high-prestige bottle from the early years of the line, this 2016 vintage remains a premier choice. Best enjoyed completely neat or with a drop of distilled water in proper crystal glassware.