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've tried many different scotches, but by no means a connoisseur. My usual go to is a Glenlivet 12 or an Aberfeldy 12. But one of my favorites is Balvenie 12, just a tad expensive. I think this blended scotch has the sweeitness of a Balvenie but lacks its complexity. But for less than half the price of the Balvenie, I think it's a great Scotch.
Excellent every day dram. Good flavor blend with good, although somewhat thin, finish. Can’t be beat at local price point $29.00!
When I first tried this whisky was before I had a glencairn, all I smelt was butterscotch and slight honey. Now I have a glencairn it's completely changed, it was a smack in the mouth with malt, the spices the review talks of and caramel. On the taste is exactly what the review suggest. A great scotch worth while getting a bottle!
Taking all things into account this is difficult to top for it's price bracket in my opinion. Good flavours, good nose, nice pleasant palate which isn't complex but is still reasonable, and a good finish. If you're used to Glendronach's and Glengoyne's and Arbeg's, etc etc then this will of course fall short, but if you take it for what it is, which is a really nice blend at a really great price point, then I can't see how you will be disappointed.
As a whisky beginner, I purchased this to try a blended malt, so I'd certainly have been put off if it tasted like "vomit & chemicals"! After a couple of drams, I found it pleasant and smooth and I'll definitely buy again.
