Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt Scotch whisky from William Grant & Sons, crafted using single malts from Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie—no grain whisky in sight. First launched in 2003 as a bartender-friendly alternative to traditional blends, it was aged in first-fill bourbon barrels and blended in small batches to create a smooth, versatile profile ideal for cocktails.
With bold branding that broke away from Scotch’s stuffy image, it became a trailblazer in the early 2000s whisky renaissance. Since then, it’s expanded with variants like Smokey Monkey and Fresh Monkey, keeping the brand fresh and relevant.
Designed for mixing, Monkey Shoulder enhances classic whisky cocktails (where it really excels) like an Old Fashioned or a Whisky Sour. If you're after a whisky that's fun, full of flavour, and has a bit of history behind it, then pick up a bottle of Monkey Shoulder. You won't be disappointed!
Its quirky name nods to a repetitive strain injury once suffered by maltmen turning barley by hand.
An elegant, stylish nose of marmalade, Crema Catalana (apologies, but it really is there), cocoa and malt. Plenty of vanilla and a sprinkling of winter spice (nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon) alongside a mouth-watering hint of aniseed.
Very malty, creamy delivery with a suggestion of berry fruit. Juicy toasted barley, cloves and butterscotch. Manuka honey, hot-buttered-toast and dried apricot develop.
Medium length, spicy oak and a hint of peppermint on the tail.
This is whisky to be enjoyed. According to the Monkey Shoulder website: "Some say it tastes just like riding bareback on the wild moors of Scotland with a flame-haired maiden on Christmas morning. Others agree it tastes like 007 wearing a tuxedo wetsuit."
A Brilliant Blended single malt whisky, from 3 distilleries, Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Kininvie I pour a double whisky measure in the glencain glass, with 1 tablespoon of room temperature soft water,& for a N.A.S whisky, it takes a lot of beating for the money. My review title said on the shoulder of giants, but the same would be true if I renamed it to say on the shoulder of Grants, Grants are the giant of Quality tasting whisky, no doubt
I am a just starting on my whisky journey. I´m half way down the bottle and i really enjoy it. Compared to other whiskys on the same price range, it´s worth every penny. I pleasant nose and a very smooth taste, i recomend this one for beginners.
Look for the bottles labelled 43%. On these bottles it will say, "Rooted in malt whisky history, and inspired by the malt men who still turn the malting barley by hand. Monkey Shoulder is blended in small batches of three fine Speyside single malts then married to achieve a smoother, richer taste." These and only these bottles will be the Monkey Shoulder blend that many know and love. The newer 40% bottles have a similar quality, but they may include other Speyside single malts than the original three. Also you're losing 6 proof! That isn't to say the new blend is bad in any way. It still is clearly quality Speyside whisky and at a good price, but nothing beats what you know. Monkey Shoulder got popular for mixing those three malts. Try and get the original blend if it's in your power.
It has some good flavor and as far as super cheap blends go it’s better than dewars white or walker red. It’s drinkable alone but works great as a base to create your own blend with.
I saw a picture of Mr Subhash Chandra holding Monkey Shoulder filled glass and a bottle near him. I have been a follower of him. If he enjoys it then it must be a class apart
