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."
Excellent blend smooth and supple.
The bad reviews here are funny--this is not a single malt, nor should it be compared to one. This just became available locally (Los Angeles, USA), and I think it is very nice. It seems they are trying to go after Bourbon and Irish Whiskey more with this one. This something affordable that can be quaffed quickly, implemented into a cocktail or enjoyed slowly. It's versatile and not offensive in any way. The price is right as well. Scotch Whisky lovers should be celebrating this brand because it is a great spokesproduct for the industry.
Obviously many eat too many take aways with spices. Taste alters no longer able to Taste Simplicity's subtleness. I am not "expert" in whisky. Yet tasted Auchentoshan 3 woods, Jack Daniels, Balvenie : loved them all. Here like rare Connoisseur palates write it, there is no COMPLEXITY in flavour, it is like I am drinking water flavoured with whisky. Smooth is sure. Water is smooth. Rich is nonsense. So from now on, I will trust my instinct : keep faithful to the Brands I love. I trusted the reviews and instead of buying a Balvenie I bought the monkeys. It is drinkable but it is not worth more than 10 GBP. You need to be hungry to taste the real complexity of bread. Same for whisky. Monkeys can monkey real whiskys but only once in my case.
Very good, THE Netjerlands
Great taste neat with a couple drops of water, SUPERB! Would recommend to anybody & everybody! Go Grant!
