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."
Having finished an entire bottle I now feel confident in reviewing this whisky. Probably one of the best blends out there in a very accessible price range. Tastes like plums , figs and bramble marmalade. A very friendly whisky with enough depth to satisfy the aficionado as well as the rookie. This will be a staple in my home bar.
I like Speyside whisky,I like Grants and Famous Grouse,I’ll even go as far as Loch Lomond whisky with the hint of smoke,Monkey shoulder is,in my opinion,a very good scotch,smooth with a little burn,vanilla,toffee flavours,no ice or mixers,just right on it’s own
A very nice whisky , easy drinking , smooth and enjoyable. I don't think its "very" malty. Sweet and fruity, and the empty glass smells of chocolate to me? Not a fan of a lot of blended whiskys, but this is good.
Am I daft thinking it has a hint of dill?
Heard good things about this but was I always a bit put off by the price tag for what is, in essence, just a blended whisky. However, my local Sainsbury's had a promotional just before Christmas so I gave it a whirl. For me this is a superb Scotch even at the full RRP - smooth and full-flavoured with no afterburn, whether drunk neat or with a mixer (my preference is ginger ale). Forget the overpriced NAS single malts as this is far superior (and less expensive.
