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."
A smooth and tasty easy-drinker. Not incredibly complex, but the overall flavor more than makes up for it. Top of its class at this price point. Total bargain.
Whilst preferring single malts , this is a smooth Speyside mix, and a bargain at £20 in Asda's Aberdeen!!
help,maybe holding on to a bottle for a few months allowed it to spoil,something is wrong
As a seasoned single malt drinker, big fan of speyside particularly Glenfiddich 15, Aberlour A'bunadh, Balvenie Signature, Glenturret, Linkwood 15, Glenfarclas 105 etc, I wanted to take a step into the world of blends. Try and find a reasonable every day tot perhaps. Maybe curiosity got the cat a little, too. This should have been the perfect one for me, the bottle raves about three whiskys from Speyside..... But how wrong could I be, the nose is no better than Bell's and upon tasting it cannot believe there is no grain. What a waste of single malts creating this rubbish. If you like your Speysides stay well away, spend a few quid more on Glenfiddich 15, probably the best supermarket single under £40 and regularly £30 at T's. Or spend £40 and get Aberlour A'bunadh, ten times the whisky this. If you are a Grouse drinker and want to step up, same advice. Basically nobody should waste their hard earned on this.
At first, a sharp insecticidal taste. Not at all smooth. Later, more tolerable. Won't buy another bottle. Back to my favorite single malt, The Dalmore.
