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 had a bottle of monkey shoulder given to me as a present before Christmas. As a blend i can recommend this one. For me it has a nice smooth taste with no aftershock. It's no single malt, however i would recommend you give it a try.
Very mellow, nice dram - for a virgin whiskey drinker, this is a very, very soft and mellow tipple; with just enough sharp hit to make it worthwhile. A very nice effort for less than £30.
This is not a bad tasting whisky. In fact it has little flavor to taste. It is very mild, smooth and slightly sweet. I detected no interesting or stimulating flavors. It seems absent of any peat whatsoever. I would only recommend this as a starter Scotch to introduce the pleasures of Scotch whisky to a younger person who may be intimidated by a peatier more flavorful dram. If you already enjoy Scotch skip this insipid stuff and if you're looking for a tasty, economical blend pick up some Teachers.
I paid £25 for this and have to say I thought it good value. Don`t often drink blends or Speysides for that matter(Black Bottle, favourite blend)but I would buy this again.Nice one Granty !!
A fantstic value for money blend, it offers a lot on the palate when conampred to the more generic blends such as Grant's own, Grouse and the foundation of all whisky evil - Bells. This is one that I keep in my collection constantly and it fits right in there with all my single malts, a great dram.
