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."
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On the nose I picked up a bit of smoke but a very fresh scent similar to the scottish broom that grew on the hillsides of my hometown Lake Arrowhead California. For the tase a sweet barbecue slightly fruity mostly picked up notes of caramel and toasted oak on the finish it reminded me of a walnut banana bread with a very clean finish and a nice creamy mouthfeel through out.
30€ to the sink. I can´t drink it. Too bad to be true
With over 40 years of spirit drinking across all varieties, price-ranges and qualities, this is probably the best value for money/health. It is distilled from the more expensive grain, barley; aged at least 3 years; priced at a point that is reasonable and gives a good degree of satisfaction. An excellent introduction to a beginner on their journey and also a budget-buy in the difficult time the majority of us live in presently.
This is surprisingly good it's a little thin but really mellow. Not got the complexity of some of the single malts. But over all real easy drink goes down well a little to well.
I love a bit of Monkey Shoulder. This tastes ? fabulous and possesses smooth and characterful notes of flavour. Good for its price
