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."
Not sure if I purchased a dud dram, but the whisky I'm tasting is nothing to boast about. On the nose I find a strong alcoholic wind tainting my airways, followed by at most the thought of burnt cedar. But when on to the palate, very alcohol forward as expected, followed by an empty mid palate, and finished with a strong medicinal, metallic, pungent almost foot like taste. I've never tasted a dram so unappealing. I feel as though I must have either found a bad bottle, or everyone else is lying.
great bang for buck! over one ice cube for best result!
Put simply: simply wonderful!
This is a fine malt Scotch whisky. Recommend drinking with just a little water, or a cube or two; keep coke, ginger ale, etc. OUT of it; this is a nice single malt and deserves better treatment than that. I had a hard time finding it in the US after discovering it in Scotland last year; finally bought a six bottle case at the local ABC store (can't buy a single of it in my state). It has a very pleasing and full nose and taste, without getting quirky. NOTE: This is not a blended Scotch whisky, but rather a Blended MALT Scotch whisky; no corn, wheat, or other grains used, only malted barley. Each of the three single malts used is probably aged 3-5 years.
loved it till the last drop drunken monkey
