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."
This is outstanding value. I started with much more expensive products, but just decided to try it after the name and bottle caught my eye, gosh am I glad I did!
This scotch is great for the price. When I started drinking Balvenie Doublewood (my previous favorite), it cost around $45/bottle. Now, I can't find it anywhere below $65/bottle. Monkey Shoulder is a great substitute at a price that won't break the bank. And, it has a little Balvenie in it!
An outstanding whisky, smooth, with a lingering pleasant aftertaste. Good job!
They can absolutely put an age statement on a blended/vatted scotch. they can, by law, state the age of the youngest whiskey in the blend.
Re the reviewers comment on no age stated. If the age of the 3 Speyside Malts that go to make up MS are not identical then they cannot lawfully state the age of the whisky. That's why distillers rarely put an age on a Blended malt nothing to do with pricing.
