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."
Did not like it. Quality is far below par at this price level. After sitting for months in my whisky cabinet I put it where it belongs: down the drain.
I bought a bottle and I can say it was dull tasteles and I tasted malted blends before and they were a lot better than this one. I was brought up on good drinking malts blended and single malts by my grandfather and he was italian.By the way I was born and bread in Edinburgh and Im Scottish.If it had been 70%proof and not 40%proof it would get my vote but they killed it by watering it down.
I did not enjoy this at all! I bought it because all the rave reviews about it. It was utterly disappointing. All malts? Really? Must be bad ones then. For the money much better scotch can be had.
I'm not really a fan of scotches but this one is brilliant. I found it was similar to a bourbon. There was a certain sweetness that was not too much - a truly lovely whiskey
i found monkey sholder on the rocks to be a great drop for the price. Most scotches I drink are in the $100-200 range and have been looking for a cheaper drop for awhile Happy with monkey sholder
