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."
Smels like illegal cheap vodka. No taste, no nothing. Only for mixing with cola. Not recommend.
Doesn't taste like a blend, but a blend of single malts. It appears that somehow there is a consistency problem with so many bad reviews and so many glowing reviews. Taste like Balvenie or Glenrothes with some Glenmorangie in there - smooth, sweet and delicious. Some sherry in there with a big floral nose. What a deal!
A soft and juicy malt with some cereal and caramel notes. Apple pie with ice cream on the palate with cinnamon, nutmeg and threshing room floor. It's really soft and refreshing with lovely balance and not heavy or overly rich. Really good balance and a sweet toffee finish.
I think the tasting notes 'overall' comments sums its up brilliantly. It's one of those whiskies which you will either love or hate depending on what your looking for. Personally I find it quite easy to drink with enough flavour to entertain me, although it will be one of the more simpler blends in my opinion, nothing complex here. Good mix of malt and honey on the tongue and the taste lingers around for a long enough time which I enjoy with not too much spice on the tail. For the price you'll pay, you'll struggle to find a better blend for the money.
I get lime, peppermint, fennel and allspice on the nose. Youthful fisticuffs break out between clementines, sherry, toffee, cloves and malted milk balls. The finish is more peaceful: butterscotch lingers with a little peppermint - a bit like Dr Pepper. It's an easy-going whisky in the end. I'm not sure the flavours are entirely harmonious, but it's an enjoyable dram and very good value for money.
