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."
I was in the supermarket looking for a cheapish whisky to try and saw this on offer so rang a friend who I knew had mentioned trying this. He said "yea it was good, from what I remember anyway...". To cut a long story slightly shorter - it's crap. Bought it, sipped it, hated it. Not sure I would describe it as pure alcohol taste as some reviewers have, but it doesn't have anything going for it and has a weird aftertaste. Planned to keep it for when non-whisky drinkers were around but ended up drinking most of it myself in order to preserve the finer malts. Simply put, it tastes like a generic £13 young blend... no names. The only caveat being that this review is based on one bottle. A bottle which looked/felt decidedly cheap I might add (with the plastic monkeys peeling off the shoulder).
I am a connoisseur of fine whiskeys, and usually purchase a Malt Scotch around $100. The Monkey Shoulder is about half of what I pay. This is my experience. I poured one shot of Monkey's on the rocks in a bourbon glass. I took a sip within seconds, and experienced a sharp burnt honey malt flavor and very strong alcohol aromas. Not comparable to my usual experience of a single malt. So I let the glass "breathe" for about 3 minutes in the ice. My second sip was completely different. Melting chocolate on the tongue with a honey malt aftertaste and the smell of cinnamon. Delightful. The woman I was drinking with also agreed about to let the Monkey sit on the rocks for a few minute. The Monkey needs to breathe in order to bring out the fragrance and flavors. For the price, this is good value, and I recommend the Monkey.
I don't get the good reviews. It's horrible.
For the first time I poured a bottle down the drain. It's cheap and tastes cheap. I think the 'refined connoiseur' below has dissolved his taste buds...
great taste and value for money
