Bourbon

John Parrot Batch #1 Straight Bourbon

OVERALL
RATING

8

Bourbon Review: John Parrot Batch #1 Straight Bourbon

We review John Parrott Bourbon, described as "celebrating the life and values of a man dedicated to friendship, justice, and learning."
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes:

About:
Mash bill of 21% rye, 75% corn, and 4% malted barley, 108 proof (54% ABV), 750ml bottle.
Appearance:
This bourbon has a lovely light honey color to it.
Nose:
There is a nice sweet scent of chocolate and citrus/fruitiness, with a wonderful oak touch.
Palate:
This bourbon has a lovely touch of smoky oak right at the beginning with a lovely touch of caramel and honey that follows.
Finish:
Comments:
This is a very lovely bourbon. For the alcohol volume, it is actually fairly smooth, if just a bit dry. The flavor is fantastic. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised with how great this is. This is absolutely perfect just to drink straight. Generally I would not recommend something with a proof this high for a beginner, but there is enough sweetness and oakiness for even someone who isn’t much of a whiskey drinker to enjoy.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs. 

SK Spirits founder Michael Sawyer was once in Utah attending the Huntsman Horizon’s Leadership Summit. This leadership summit is a value based leadership program focused on developing undergraduate members of the Sigma Chi fraternity. It is one of the many leadership programs the fraternity has. Sawyer and his business partner felt they wanted to give back something to the program, and originally came up with the idea to create a bourbon that would be sold exclusively to fraternity alumni, using the proceeds to give back to the brotherhood. Part of this involved funding education on responsible alcohol consumption, as well as helping undergraduates obtain leadership skills and knowledge to help them become successful business leaders themselves.

Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.

By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

However, the bourbon was so well received that Sawyer was “encouraged to share it with the rest of the world”. 

SK Spirits was formed, and they sourced 10 MGP (Midwest Grain Product) barrels, aged at 6 years and 8 months. According to Sawyer, “the result was solid, but ordinary”. So, they teamed up with bottling partner Whiskey Thief Distillery, blending 2 of their 6+ year old barrels with the MGP batch to create their award winning John Parrot bourbon. 

John Parrot was supposedly initiated into the brotherhood in 1855, and became vice president in 1856. Later, along with his brother and cousin, he would be instrumental in starting the second chapter of the fraternity.

John Parrott Bourbon review
We review John Parrott Bourbon, described as “celebrating the life and values of a man dedicated to friendship, justice, and learning.” (image via SK Spirits)

Tasting Notes: John Parrot Batch #1 Straight Bourbon

Vital Stats: Mash bill of 21% rye, 75% corn, and 4% malted barley, 108 proof (54% ABV), 750ml bottle.

Appearance: This bourbon has a lovely light honey color to it. 

Nose: There is a nice sweet scent of chocolate and citrus/fruitiness, with a wonderful oak touch.

Palate: This bourbon has a lovely touch of smoky oak right at the beginning with a lovely touch of caramel and honey that follows.

James Logan

James Logan is an enthusiast with a background in food service and retail management. In his mid-20s, he developed a deep passion for whiskey-based drinks. After receiving a bottle of 15-year-old Scotch whisky as a birthday gift, he embarked on a yearly ritual of exploring a new brand of Scotch whisky. James thoroughly enjoys sampling each new brand and age, comparing them with previous selections. While not a whiskey or writing expert, he hopes his "average guy" perspective will resonate with those starting their whiskey journey, providing them with the guidance he missed out on.

All Posts
Search
  • Latest News
  • Latest Reviews