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."
Received a bottle as a birthday present so you may think I it's churlish, but I find it very bland. I don't get anything from it. My preference is for peaty stuff from the Western Isles! Islay, Jura for example. Had I bought this for myself I would have felt cheated.
New to the scotch scene. Love the Balvenie but for about half the price, Monkey Shoulder will work for a everyday dram. Can taste the Balvenie influence but just a touch more heat, but nothing bad. Would recommend and picking up another bottle while it's on sale!!
Bought first bottle today...fantastic
My son-in-law gifted me a bottle of Monkey Shoulder last year. Great stuff!!! I plan to purchase a couple of bottles as gifts for friends.
I used to use this as a startup whisky. It was smooth and tasted great. A quality spirit. But the last 3 bottles I bought were not up to spec. One bad bottle I can cope with, but 3? This was my last bottle as the quality is not there anymore. It's so bad that I compared it with Famous Grouse. The Grouse came out better. Proof to me that they went with younger spirit to create this blended malt. Shame on them. Not recommended!
