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."
Probably doesn't help that I drank it back to back with Nikka Coffee Grain, but it just smells/tastes too boozy. There are some nice flavors, but for $35 you can get Asylah which I prefer.
I wouldn't argue that this is not a pretty decent blend and worth the affordable price but for some reason I don't favorite it much. Can't put my finger on it. Of course the more you drink the better it gets so there's that to consider as well.
At first drink it was smooth and tasty with a bit of spice and not much heat. However, after a few weeks in the open bottle it has lost its charm and turned to bitter and uninteresting crrrap. I would rather drink JWB or even Black Grouse.
This whiskey.. is smoother than water and sweeter than mothers milk ! my whiskey was black label JW and now is lagavulin 16 and MS whiskey is equally as good as them !
HORRIBLE STUFF
