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."
Heard a lot of hype about this whisky but on my first sip this was all dispelled. Nothing to distinguish this from any number of blends for half the price. Considering this costs single malt money, there is no reason for anyone with a taste for good scotch to buy this whisky. Pure hype!!
This is a great everyday dram, and for the price is a lot better than a number of single malts I have tried. I use this as a bench mark for Speyside whiskies. Simply - If it doesn't taste better than this than its not worth the money. There are plenty of single malts on my shelf that have more flavour and are higher quality but for price, the monkey shoulder is great value.
It was nice. Sharp.third taste became smooth .
I had the chance to try some recently and rather liked it. For the price, it seems like a relative bargain. While it doesn't have the huge peat or malt punch like some other single varieties, I suspect the people who rate it poorly because of this are along the same line of people who rate a beer poorly if it doesn't immediately destroy your mouth with hops. Overpowering flavor does not equate to quality. It's smooth, well balanced, and has flavors that require a somewhat sensitive palate to detect compared to some, but sometimes that's nice instead of being punched in the mouth with one overwhelming taste. Just a touch of good cold spring water opens it up nicely.
This is ok, although for the price I would rather have a single malt. The mixing of the 3 malts seems to have taken a bit of character way and it smells and tastes ok, it doesn't appear to be one thing or the other.
