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."
This whisky holds to the adage of ice cream coming in different flavors. If you don't like chocolate there is always vanilla or strawberry. If you don't care for Speyside malts, you will likely not care for Monkey Shoulder. Personally, I tend to drink Isley Malts, so it stands to reason Monkey Shoulder comes up short for my taste. But I found it to be an easy whisky to sip with a good cigar, some good friends, and good conversation.
Lovely and smooth - just add a few drops of water at room temperature and it is on the money! Enjoy.
Blend is Very smooth but nothing really stands out about this whisky. Easy to drink with a slight citrus and apricot notes and very mildly sweet. There are better whiskies out there in this price range.
very good
Super alcohol nose with some vanilla notes. Tastes of rubbing alcohol with some common single malt hints of hunny and spice however to me the cheap alcohol tastes take over the dram and kill the enjoyment of this whiskey. TRhis will be a whiskey that I mix with coke or other quick mixes. Wish I would've grabbed a single malt cheep-o. Nearly the same price for an easy Glenmoramgie Original. But hey! I gave it a try. I've ran into this issue before with ..... well all blended Scotch Whiskeys. Not a fan.
