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 was incredibly surprised by how good this was! Much better than any other blends at this price range. It's incredibly smooth and a great introductory scotch, I would say it's like the Maker's Mark of scotch, in that it is smooth and easy drinking and someone who says they don't like scotch, but likes whiskeys in general would enjoy it.
Well my wife just polished this off saying it was far superior to the Grant's blend I buy for her whisky mac! it is very palatable creamy and smooth for a blend, okay so not a single malt but blends seem to mask complexity rather than bringing more to the glass. i usually add water to a blend, or ice, no need here - on offer in Sainsburys at £23 a good price, but not great value at £30.
A great whiskey and for a blend almost as good as Teachers
Lovely smooth taste. I like blends and this compares to Johnnie Walker Gold label at twice the price. Just going to pour another, a lovely easy drink. Henry Bebop
I saw the bottle on the lower shelf ,the monkeys caught my eye,the colour look good,i read the label,saw the price,purchased a bottle,that evening opened it,love it,drank almost half a bottle,woke next morning blurred eyes,that evening did it all over again,love it. Just to let you folks know ,it was the weekend with loads of football. Viva the monkeys and Cape Town South Africa
