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."
Great bang for buck. Reasonable to purchase and great taste!
I like monkey shoulder it nice crisp whiskey with a marmalade tone a very good whiskey
Read so many mixed reviews about this blend and had to give it a try. First things first, I'm a bourbon drinker. I dabble into scotch every now and then, but I am no expert. This is a solid whiskey. Smooth and enjoyable. Not a whole lot of depth, but a nice sipping whiskey. I have enjoyed plenty of single malts in the $40-$60 range and this is on par with those. For $30 a bottle, can't go wrong.
A great everyday dram for a great price. Very enjoyable neat malt with fruit.
Have to totally disagree with the below review. The first thing I got when I smelt it was the marmalade. It jumped straight out at me. A few good smells later and could get the vanilla. For £25 it's a really good value whisky. Something you could drink every day, and not feel to guilty when the bottle runs out. You wouldn't put it on the top shelf or get it out to impress anybody but worth the money and would buy it again.
