Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

A nice, sensibly priced blend.

Great for mixing, but really good neat.
No peat, so good for beginners or those that don't want it.
Creamy, sweetish nose,
Taste following expectations, creamy and some sweetness with a little fruit.

Not overly complex, but great at the price.

17th October 2019

Great experience during and after

17th October 2019

Absolutely horrible taste. Even mixing it with coke you can't get rid of the acetone/aniline taste. Yeah I guess that's fruit notes in a way?
Though the good thing about this is that for a cheap price you can instantly know whether you like scotch or not. I clearly don't.
Since it's a blend it doesn't have any personality (think opposite of single barrel) it's average and has that young, not aged enough hint.
For a mixer? yeah sure why not! Want to try out scotch? go ahead. Just don't expect anything out of it. Price can only be justified by marketing too, should be at least 20% lower for something distributed at such a high volume.
Another piece of advice: never trust people who rate this way too high. I mean I get that they think they're getting a great bang for their buck, but this is still 40% and has no remarkable qualities, nothing special about it; which is also a good thing if that's you're looking for I guess.

10th October 2019

I prefer blends and love smokiness so no need to state why I always drink JW. That said, this is much cheaper than green label JW and so much more sophisticated for the palate. Will be my choice for a blended single malt from now on, even without smoke.

27th September 2019

I had some last night on my 70th birthday it was so smooth. some of the best ever.

15th September 2019

My son bought me this some years ago ,I found it superb.

7th September 2019

Excellent dram to have on your shelve for those days when one is just looking forward for something simple, smooth and sweet and the end of a long day. I've used this whisky has a starting point to my whisky adventure and I wasn't disappointed. Recently finished a 1 L bottle (in the course of 2 years! I must add) and planning to restock my inventory with another one. (4 stars considering price/experience)

4th September 2019

Excellent blend, easy on the pallet, hard to put down.

27th August 2019

Very good taste at a reasonable price

22nd August 2019

You — Please update your info.
Absolutely amazing is smoky and smell strong and when you take a sip is very Smooth I really enjoy it alone water or ice. Worth the money.

20th August 2019

Amazing whisky for value

11th August 2019

Lovely for a budget malt. Well worth a go. Very smooth on the finish nice aroma. Cant see where the negative comments come from

31st July 2019

Not a big fan of this blend. Its definitely sherry/Speyside dominant and is sweet and pleasant enough. I dont get the depth of flavour suggested by the tasting notes. Very thin mouthfeel, should be more considering the component malts.

Worth a try at the price, but I won't be back. Its all about personal taste.

21st July 2019

Smoooooooth!........

9th July 2019

My son bought this for me on Father's day, after he was unable to secure a bottle of my favourite Glenfiddich, and I bought another as we are both enjoying this! It is like smoky vanilla and honey sauce drizzled over a bowl of mixed red berries with a twist of peppermint and sprinkled with spice. Would not dream of diluting this with ice or water and personally treat this like a brandy. I used to drink Jack and Ginger regularly, now this is my favourite Whiskey for get-togethers but maybe I will keep my Glenfiddich on standby :) (Jack and Ginger - JD and Ginger Ale)

4th July 2019

Good go to for sipping when the occasion (any time) doesn't warrant a single malt like Glenlivet, McChalan, or the like. Firey finish, excellent bouquet. Smooth going down. An excellent blend. Worth the money!

17th June 2019

It's not just a blended whiskey, it's a blended malt scotch, and as that it is the perfect wing man to may single malts. I always keep a bottle, and always enjoy it

14th June 2019

More like a premium blend than a single malt. This can be drunk neat but it's young and I think works best as a mixer. I'm not sure this is worth £27 though, not when you can pick up a Glenfiddich 12 from a supermarket for £25!

24th May 2019

terrible taste

17th May 2019

A Brilliant Blended single malt whisky, from 3 distilleries, Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Kininvie
I pour a double whisky measure in the glencain glass, with 1 tablespoon of room temperature soft water,& for a N.A.S whisky, it takes a lot of beating for the money.
My review title said on the shoulder of giants, but the same would be true if I renamed it to say on the shoulder of Grants, Grants are the giant of Quality tasting whisky, no doubt

8th May 2019

I am a just starting on my whisky journey.
I´m half way down the bottle and i really enjoy it. Compared to other whiskys on the same price range, it´s worth every penny. I pleasant nose and a very smooth taste, i recomend this one for beginners.

1st May 2019

I like it, superb scotch

14th April 2019

Look for the bottles labelled 43%. On these bottles it will say,

"Rooted in malt whisky history, and inspired by the malt men who still turn the malting barley by hand. Monkey Shoulder is blended in small batches of three fine Speyside single malts then married to achieve a smoother, richer taste."

These and only these bottles will be the Monkey Shoulder blend that many know and love. The newer 40% bottles have a similar quality, but they may include other Speyside single malts than the original three. Also you're losing 6 proof!

That isn't to say the new blend is bad in any way. It still is clearly quality Speyside whisky and at a good price, but nothing beats what you know. Monkey Shoulder got popular for mixing those three malts. Try and get the original blend if it's in your power.

5th April 2019

It has some good flavor and as far as super cheap blends go it’s better than dewars white or walker red. It’s drinkable alone but works great as a base to create your own blend with.

4th April 2019

I saw a picture of Mr Subhash Chandra holding Monkey Shoulder filled glass and a bottle near him. I have been a follower of him. If he enjoys it then it must be a class apart

28th March 2019

This whisky was on sale and I bought it cheap and man it is good, light flavourful and friendly

I think there are a lot of single malt snobs downvoting it and calling it rubbing alcohol, don’t listen to them they couldn’t tell the difference in a blind tasting I am sure!

26th March 2019

I won't pretend to be a whisk(e)y expert but I know what I like and this suits me just fine. I lost my taste for Scotch years ago and tend to grab for a bourbon or Irish Whiskey when I want to relax but Monkey Shoulder was recommended by a local bartender and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I've since suggested it to friends whoa re much more serious about their libations and they agreed it's a nice drink and a great value.

25th March 2019

Master of Malt, what is a tuxedo? Do you mean a Dinner Suit? Bond wouldn’t be wearing a tuxedo.

11th March 2019

Confused as to why reviewers (and tasters} don't understand the difference between a Blended Scotch and a Blended MALT Scotch!

Three (3), count them, SINGLE MALTS are the combined to make MS!
There is NO GRAIN WHISKY in the bottle! OK?

Now go from there!

Consider Taste, Nose and all the other variables, and realize that at this price to value/ratio the SUPREME VALUE PROPOSITION.

Smart shoppers are lining up now!

9th March 2019

Very smooth neat!!

1st March 2019

Having finished an entire bottle I now feel confident in reviewing this whisky. Probably one of the best blends out there in a very accessible price range. Tastes like plums , figs and bramble marmalade. A very friendly whisky with enough depth to satisfy the aficionado as well as the rookie. This will be a staple in my home bar.

21st February 2019

I like Speyside whisky,I like Grants and Famous Grouse,I’ll even go as far as Loch Lomond whisky with the hint of smoke,Monkey shoulder is,in my opinion,a very good scotch,smooth with a little burn,vanilla,toffee flavours,no ice or mixers,just right on it’s own

4th February 2019

A very nice whisky , easy drinking , smooth and enjoyable. I don't think its "very" malty. Sweet and fruity, and the empty glass smells of chocolate to me?
Not a fan of a lot of blended whiskys, but this is good.

3rd February 2019

Am I daft thinking it has a hint of dill?

1st February 2019

Heard good things about this but was I always a bit put off by the price tag for what is, in essence, just a blended whisky. However, my local Sainsbury's had a promotional just before Christmas so I gave it a whirl. For me this is a superb Scotch even at the full RRP - smooth and full-flavoured with no afterburn, whether drunk neat or with a mixer (my preference is ginger ale). Forget the overpriced NAS single malts as this is far superior (and less expensive.

30th January 2019

A beginner's blend that almost reminds me of the first time I had Red Label. Lot's of vanilla, spice, and burn.

28th January 2019

Absolutely Drinkable, VERY smooth, amazingly light finish, elegantly subtle overall. In my opinion rivals spirits that cost twice as much!!

19th January 2019

Hot at first and taste like fundador brandy, no worth the price. I'll go for JD, Chivas and Jameson instead.

11th January 2019

It's a great blend for the price & there are too many people on here bad mouthing the work of a great blender & comparing it to single malts from other parts of Schotland?! (seems they could do better perhaps). Monkey Shoulder makes the best Old Fashioned or Rob Roy I've ever had!!

Such a smooth blend & great value for money in my opinion!!

5th January 2019

It is impressive to taste and own such a good value and quality blended of three malts. Good in taste and relaxing after drinking. Smelling is perfect, tasting is amazing...

26th December 2018

like bad medicine

23rd December 2018

Smooth, palatable. Neat is the way to gulp it down or with two cubes.

4th December 2018

Let me put it this way: sipping this thing is like listening to romantic pops of the 80's. Simple and smooth. Better with a cube or two of ice.

3rd December 2018

A beginners whiskey I feel and not a bad introduction, found its taste puzzling initially but it gathered itself on second serving, its a boring dram and just one to be ticked off the bucket list.

30th November 2018

Enjoyed this whisky, smooth yes slightly sweet but very palatable just with ice not water.

16th November 2018

Superb single malt, refreshing for the price.

1st November 2018

Tastes like bourbon.

1st November 2018

Absolutely brilliant! Found this blend through a friend during one of our scotch and cigar meetings. he had me try this. I actually enjoyed the smooth taste and fiery finish as much if not more than my Glenlivet 12.

26th October 2018

Nose of apples and pears, really nice. Tasteful on the tongue with a long firey finish.

23rd October 2018

I cannot detect a lot of difference between this an some more expensive Speysides. Great value.

23rd October 2018

This is outstanding value. I started with much more expensive products, but just decided to try it after the name and bottle caught my eye, gosh am I glad I did!

4th October 2018

This scotch is great for the price. When I started drinking Balvenie Doublewood (my previous favorite), it cost around $45/bottle. Now, I can't find it anywhere below $65/bottle. Monkey Shoulder is a great substitute at a price that won't break the bank. And, it has a little Balvenie in it!

27th September 2018

An outstanding whisky, smooth, with a lingering pleasant aftertaste. Good job!

22nd September 2018

They can absolutely put an age statement on a blended/vatted scotch. they can, by law, state the age of the youngest whiskey in the blend.

21st September 2018

Re the reviewers comment on no age stated. If the age of the 3 Speyside Malts that go to make up MS are not identical then they cannot lawfully state the age of the whisky. That's why distillers rarely put an age on a Blended malt nothing to do with pricing.

20th September 2018

I was given a bottle of this fine Scotch blend. It was smooth as silk and had a subtle, yet, flavorful finish. I just poured it over ice and sipped it. Anyone who likes a strong tasting whiskey will not enjoy this. Keep in mind a sipping whiskey should be sipped not gulped. Enjoy the flavors and nuances.

18th September 2018

Just - ok. It was recommended but I would never buy it again. Think I will use it for mixing. Not good for sipping at all.

16th September 2018

It's on par with Johnnie Walker Red label perhaps. There is no hint of smoke though. I don't like how the age isn't specified. It's likely because they are over pricing a 3yr minimum compliance. It's probably $5 overpriced per bottle, but buying it isn't a mistake. Pleasant from beginning to the end of every taste.

31st August 2018

Smooth and elegant

Really enjoyable without the pomp and ceremony demanded by a Single malt. This could become my daily tipple. Far superior to Black Lable or Chivas

23rd August 2018

I received a bottle for my birthday this week. Mmmmm, looks like this is going to be a good year!
I’ll not bore you with the hyperbole so many like to toss about.
Give this a try. A very nice Scotch.

19th August 2018

Warm fruity aroma, smooth and slightly spicy taste. Lingers. Not as sturdy as Dalwhinnie or Balvenie but in the same arena at a great price.

18th August 2018

I can't say enough good things about this blend. I just tried the 21yr Balvenie and recognized a bunch of front notes but was surprised by the heat at the end. Monkey Shoulder has figured out how to follow the sip with tremendous calm. If that's what you're looking for, in addition to sublime character and Speyside appeal, I highly recommend.

17th August 2018

Good for mixing. Not a good sipping whisky

12th August 2018

Just got home from a trip throughout Scotland. You learn a lot about what you like with scotch and what you don’t. We LOVE Monkey Shoulder and it’s what we brought home with us for gifts.

22nd July 2018

I’ve yet to taste a finer whisky, single malts included. There seems to be a lot of snobbery going on by the other reviewers who seem to judge a whisky by name and price. I’d never heard of it until 6 months ago. The bottle looked interesting in Morrison’s. Not looked back since. Give it a go !

17th July 2018

Perfectly good scotch at an excellent price! Very malt forward Speyside whisky that is not I repeat NOT a blended scotch; this is a blended malt (triple malt, vatted whisky) it is a blend of single malts from three Grant distilleries, nary a grain whisky in it. I've not found a scotch in this price range I've enjoyed more, and I've tried a lot; frankly it is better than a number of single malts at twice the price. I suspect the negative reviewers would be giving it glowing praise if they tasted it blind and were told it was a single malt. Don't prejudge, give it a try, at this price what do you have to lose?

30th June 2018

It's a good scotch for the price and worth a try but you won't find yourself going out of your way to buy it a second time if you have a couple favorites.

25th June 2018

Just tried this today because it was in budget and looked fun. I have to say for the price, this is by far better than some of the older scotches I have tried. I love the chocolate/coffee notes at the end on my palate. I am so glad I discovered this and would recommend anyone who hasn't tried this to do so. This is a scotch you share with others because its flavors bring joy to all that try it.

20th June 2018

Spooky coincidence... why? Because I've wrote review here EXACTLY three years ago to this day, on 10th of June 2015 and I gave it half a star, being probably the worst scotch I've tried in my life. Here's that review from three years ago:

"Stay away from this whisky, I have tried A LOT of different whisky brands and this is not a matter of taste, there's just something very, very wrong with this piece of crap. It has a very intense smell of wet newspapers, damp cardboxes, I can smell mold and sweat. Yes, sweat, body odour witch lingers in your mouth even if you have a spicy meal after a dram! My God, worse spend money on whisky EVER, i hope that this kind of disappointment never happens again."

So few days ago I decided to give it a try again, what can I loose but 20 euros? I've opened it today and what a surprise and confusion! Where's that awful whisky that I remember? Sweet, malty, smooth and great sipping scotch whisky! What the heck?! Then I come here to scroll way down to my last review and I see that I've written it exactly three years ago. What a coincidence. OK but what has happened to Monkey Shoulder? Is really that different today or have I just gone mad? Im terribly sorry I didn't save a few samples from that awful bottle three years ago, that would be interesting. Well, for what it's worth, really solid blended malt. Really solid and worth four stars in its category and price range. Over and out :-)

10th June 2018

Dont let the cheap price fool you this whisky is amazing. Great whisky with cheap price i highly recomend it. Great for beginners

24th May 2018

Smooth and rich. Lots of vanilla and caramel and so friendly to the palate. I actually like this over some malt whiskies twice the price. I’m giving this 5 stars in consideration of the price. Just try it.

20th May 2018

One of the better blend scotches I've tried
Full bodied, not for the beginner scotch drinker

19th May 2018

Adam said, it was just a stupidly strong whiskey man.

12th May 2018

I can get this for 20 euro a bottle in China. At this price point, there is no blend or single malt that can compete with this whisky. I really enjoy this.

17th April 2018

Dollar for dollar, you just cannot beat this blend. 3 pedigree Speysides combined to make a fantastic drink. Smooth, pleasant, very drinkable. This blend changed my attitude towards blends! Goes down great neat or on the rocks. Whether you are a seasoned scotch drinker or just starting your malt journey, this whisky is a must have! Dont buy one bottle, buy two!

16th April 2018

Pleasant on the nose - zesty and hints of vanilla
Very malty and sweet like butterscotch
Finish is spicy with hints of peppermint

3rd April 2018

Lovely, with a fruity caramel taste. Delicious blend, and with a tiny bit of water it opens up and delivers some great flavours. I'm still a beginner when it comes to whisky drinking, so my palate isn't great. I find it hard to describe flavours more accurate than this. It's better than some single malts I've tried, and certainly better than many other whiskies in the same price range! The rating is given with price in mind. If I didn't take price into mind it would get 4/5.

28th March 2018

My new Breakfast Scotch - perfect start to your day ;)

23rd March 2018

Fantastic ! A staple in my home now. Everyone I've shared with was thrilled. Good neat or on the rocks. The website suggest a mix with ginger ale AKA Ginger Monkey. It's really tasty! I'm still a noob I admit, but I am pleased with Monkey Shoulder. Try it and you will be O so happy!

22nd March 2018

Tried several, this one exceed quality, smell and creamy flavor, amazing blend, not fruity thank god, kick smooth and flavourful, one of the best.

26th February 2018

I'm well into my second bottle of Monkey Shoulder and I thoroughly enjoy it. It's got a lovely sweeter start and that spicy finish is the perfect punch. Great blend at a very reasonable price. I've used it in Rusty Nails and it's lovely there too.
Highly recommend.

10th January 2018

Being a big fan of single malt whiskey I must admit I really can't fault this blended whiskey. Easy drinking and quite pleasant.

9th January 2018

Prefer singles but this blended will stay on my shelf. I get a creamy vanilla maple flavor with a bit of clove.

Very palatable. Will intoduce this to friends too afraid to try scotch.

8th January 2018

What an awesome bottle. It is so damn smooth and packed with some good flavor. I could drink this again and again and again...and the price is fantastic! One of my new favorite scotches!

7th January 2018

This bottle works for me as an addition to my scotch collection of higher priced bottles. It’s probably a young blend since it has a little bite and flavors are subtle. My suggestion would be to have this on your bar, along with other bottles of scotch.

6th January 2018

Think Glenfiddich 12 but a little less sweetness and a little more richness. Easy drinking. Superior to many higher priced single malts.

31st December 2017

Chivas Regal without the peat: Says it all....
Sweet, aromatic, flowery, easy on the tongue and on the palate.
Sipping whiskey for all occasions. Nothing too complex, but getting here is an achievement on to itself. Very smooth and sweet.

20th December 2017

First I liked it but after tasting many others, this doesn't taste much. I'd say if you're New to whisky, you should get a bottle.

9th December 2017

Very bland. Smooth, but doesn't taste like anything. Might as well get vodka.

6th December 2017

One of my new favorites in this price range.. or any other. Big Vanilla blasts with butterscotch and toffee- a real confectionary treat. I'm partial to the sweeter Speyside Whisky's so it's no wonder that I find this blend of 3 Single malts (Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie) to be really Really tasty. Creamy, Malty, Goodness and one of the best bang for your Buck bottles that you'll find.

22nd November 2017

It tastes like a thousand tiny angels singing on your tongue.

12th November 2017

Tastes like a single malt. Now one of my favorites.

16th October 2017

A Blender's Pride blended whisky is far better than this Monkey Shoulder blended Malt whisky.

8th October 2017

It’s a blend! It’s ok but I’m going back to single malt. Malts just stronger than I prefer.

28th September 2017

Am not a big fan, but for it's price, it was worth a try.

25th September 2017

I just started drinking Whisky and this is my first bottle that I bought myself and I regret nothing!

7th September 2017

Prefer this blend over any other (any Johnny W. Chivas or Dimple). Price/Quality is excellent.

22nd August 2017

The perfect Breakfast Scotch ;)

18th August 2017

so great i love the smoothness....its just grt... on-the-rocks...

5th August 2017

Incredibly smoothe and very well priced. This is a bottle you'll keep coming back to.

18th July 2017

This whisky holds to the adage of ice cream coming in different flavors. If you don't like chocolate there is always vanilla or strawberry. If you don't care for Speyside malts, you will likely not care for Monkey Shoulder. Personally, I tend to drink Isley Malts, so it stands to reason Monkey Shoulder comes up short for my taste. But I found it to be an easy whisky to sip with a good cigar, some good friends, and good conversation.

16th July 2017

Lovely and smooth - just add a few drops of water at room temperature and it is on the money!

Enjoy.

27th June 2017

Blend is Very smooth but nothing really stands out about this whisky.

Easy to drink with a slight citrus and apricot notes and very mildly sweet.

There are better whiskies out there in this price range.

13th June 2017

very good

4th June 2017

Super alcohol nose with some vanilla notes. Tastes of rubbing alcohol with some common single malt hints of hunny and spice however to me the cheap alcohol tastes take over the dram and kill the enjoyment of this whiskey. TRhis will be a whiskey that I mix with coke or other quick mixes. Wish I would've grabbed a single malt cheep-o. Nearly the same price for an easy Glenmoramgie Original. But hey! I gave it a try. I've ran into this issue before with ..... well all blended Scotch Whiskeys. Not a fan.

4th June 2017

I bought it based on the reviews. Next time I'll spend a bit more and get the single malt. The nicest thing I can say is that it's an average whisky. If you are torn between this and a single malt, spend the money and upgrade to the single malt.

26th May 2017

Excellent scotch.

17th May 2017

Very good with just a drop of water or with some ginger ale

12th May 2017

This whisky is a moderately priced blend and it goes without saying that the quality and complexity reflects the price. However, I have to strongly disagree with some of the critical reviews on here - this a superbly balanced whisky. The sweetness, richness, spice and oak are full and measured and you'd be hard pressed to find let alone expect much better for the price. The only danger is getting a case of monkey shoulder yourself pouring it down your throat dram after dram...

15th April 2017

Good whisky, but far to sweet to my taste. The wife enjoyed it!

7th April 2017

I sip it like a true gentleman. Neat, never over ice. By far my favorite blend. Smooth. I don't know how to disect the different flavors it is made up of, but that's irrelevant. It's top shelf Scotch.

2nd April 2017

Well . . . the nose is vanilla and malt (mostly), and flowering Heather -- perhaps a bit of cocoa, and, like the chaps say, some winter spice. Frankly, it's the best thing about it. On the palate it's heavy, with definite separation of malt, vanilla, alcohol, and maybe a dash of butterscotch, and possibly something else. But the experience is overpowered by vanilla and alcohol. The finish is something like malt, vanilla, and alcohol. If vanilla and alcohol are your thing, you're gonna love it!

Always neat -- a_m_oral (in the Fraser Valley)

28th March 2017

I get quite a kick out of the negative reviews.... This is a blended malt...no additional grain. For those saying that Chivas or JW Black are smoother...thats because of grain whisky added. If you don't like the flavor profile, thats acceptable. Not everyone likes Balvenie and Glenfiddich. But to downgrade it because of your own lack of knowledge is just plain funny. For a blended malt at this price...you cannot beat it.

20th March 2017

1st time drinking this Malt whiskey and must admit it's one on the nicest, smooth, pleasant malt I've drank and will certainly be getting another bottle or three

8th March 2017

Tried it the first time last Saturday. Found it to be a very satisfying sipping scotch. Had it on the rocks and would never mix it with anything except maybe a drop of water.

27th February 2017

Smooth and rich is correct, it's a fine whisky, although calling it a scotch is a little misleading. It's pretty sweet as far as whisky goes, I prefer it on the rocks, however my gf likes it mixed with Dr. Pepper and a little lemon juice. Quit being so whiny and drink it, it's quite a bit of bang for your buck.

26th February 2017

My daughter got me a bottle for Chistmas. Very good drink, over Ice or straight. I will be a repeat offender!

11th February 2017

I'm not sure about detailed taste, it overall quite decent whisky. The problem though is, that in the morning I had the worst hangover ever. I only had a bottle of white wine and 10-15 cl of this whisky, and I literally could not get up in the morning - my head was killing me.

4th February 2017

i make my mind up about whisky on taste alone,this is a lovely drink enjoy it

12th January 2017

Given to me a as a gift. Just had my first taste, ever! Initial smell a bit on the strong side, however my first taste was pleasing based on others that I have had in a similar price range. So I would say, give it a try, don't expect the taste of the finest scotch you have ever had, but I think it is extremely nice and it would be my pleasure to serve it and enjoy it again.

29th December 2016

Blended but verrrry nice

24th December 2016

Great bang for buck. Reasonable to purchase and great taste!

23rd December 2016

I like monkey shoulder it nice crisp whiskey with a marmalade tone a very good whiskey

7th December 2016

Read so many mixed reviews about this blend and had to give it a try.

First things first, I'm a bourbon drinker. I dabble into scotch every now and then, but I am no expert. This is a solid whiskey. Smooth and enjoyable. Not a whole lot of depth, but a nice sipping whiskey.

I have enjoyed plenty of single malts in the $40-$60 range and this is on par with those. For $30 a bottle, can't go wrong.

30th November 2016

A great everyday dram for a great price. Very enjoyable neat malt with fruit.

17th November 2016

Have to totally disagree with the below review. The first thing I got when I smelt it was the marmalade. It jumped straight out at me. A few good smells later and could get the vanilla. For £25 it's a really good value whisky. Something you could drink every day, and not feel to guilty when the bottle runs out. You wouldn't put it on the top shelf or get it out to impress anybody but worth the money and would buy it again.

9th November 2016

A good friend of mine bought a bottle not too long ago, we were really hyped to taste it.
All my expectations were turned once I smelled it.
Reminds me of a molded cheese, with a really bad smell.
Since I don't like those kind of cheeses, I was really disappointed, although my friend was kinda fine with the whiskey.

5th November 2016

Delicious!

30th October 2016

Calling this a scotch is a stretch. I agree with the last review.
Nose-barely noticeable. Flavor-alcohol burn. Finish-long and disturbing.

20th October 2016

On a recent visit to the land of our fathers I fell upon a bottle with a name more akin to Bitter, don't normally do the blend thing but it's got some good Speyside Malts so got the bottle, glad I did too, its a drink for anytime and very smooth too! Won't drag me away from all the other bottles which are enjoyed individually but very useful for social interaction, doubt I will do a Cocktail tho that would in my mind be a criminal offence, Malt is best on its own or a dash of water....... Monkey Shoulder does what it says on the bottle....

19th October 2016

I hate doing negative reviews, but................... I bought a bottle of Monkey Shoulder on the advice of a couple of idiot radio DJ's. This stuff is horrid. There are no subtle flavors as advertised. The bottle I bought is going to sit on the shelf and eventually evaporate. If I could give negative stars, I would.

19th October 2016

Nice gentle good taste now it will be my brand

24th September 2016

Love my smoke, especially Laphroaig 10yr, but this stuff really surprised me. Bought half a case based exclusively on the opinions of a few friends. Love the lingering vanilla! Will definitely keep a few bottles of this blend on hand at all times.

24th September 2016

A smooth whiskey, goes down well. Lacks complexity but cant complain for the price.

2nd September 2016

Excellent taste and flavour, smooth and delicious.....

28th August 2016

My favorite reasonably priced scotch. Made from three fine single malts, Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kinnenvie, it has complex multiple layers of fruit, covered with caramelized brown sugar. Smooth with no mouth burn.

20th August 2016

For the Price you are paying It's a good Whiskey.

6th August 2016

One of the best blended whiskies I have had. Top draw and can easily be enjoyed neat or with a couple of drops of water. In this price range it is real bang for buck.

30th July 2016

Too many positive reviews, should be more negative reviews, lowest rating possible since it can only be consumed with coke or lemonade, even then its still nasty. A piss-eds drink says it all.

28th July 2016

Rough, ethanol, grainy mess, should not exists at all!!!!!!!

28th July 2016

Better than Johnny walker

20th July 2016

I picked up a bottle yesterday. I always worry a bit when I experiment with whisky in Monkey Shoulder's $32 price range. This one impressed me. On the tongue, it was somewhat creamy and mellow. The finish is surprisingly long for a budget scotch. Cinnamon and spice flavors giving way to a clean citrus vanilla finish. This one may become my favorite budget scotch.

17th July 2016

disappointed.. for the same price other blends ie Chivas 12 or JW black are better buys. Somewhat initial bitter taste with an aftertaste. Got it on a recommendation of a friend, will not buy again.

14th July 2016

I will always remember the 1st taste of this whisky.
Wow that's the word.
A pleasant surprise gift from my wife.

5th July 2016

I'm a speyside fan and a novice drinker. I found this gem on sale for $26 at the supermarket. I drink my whiskey neat and I was blown away on the smoothness. Best bang for my buck, will be buying again.

27th June 2016

I generally don't drink Scotch, in fact I don't really drink, however I was more taken back by the neat bottle and cork. I've just had my first taste, very smooth on my palate with long lasting flavor on the back of the tongue.
Easy to drink neat, no real heat to this drink. Worth the AUS$44 I paid for it.

25th June 2016

For the money, cannot be beat. Really satisfies, for those who enjoy the intelligent and relaxed sipping of single malt Scotch whisky. OK, it is not a single malt, but rather something better: a MIX of three very good single malt scotches (Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie), all three by Grant, the family-owned maker of the world's biggest seller, Glenfiddich.

17th June 2016

MS is interesting, heavy alcohol, thin syrup light flavor but decent

17th June 2016

Awesome whiskey I ordered a Jameson and I am glad they were out monkey shoulder nis on a whole other level of greatness I really enjoyed it.

12th June 2016

Before the collapse, I was a VP and drank the good stuff. Now I'm a working stiff and can't afford that. Had found a local single malt that I liked, but the price went up. MS is excellent for my budget and I do appreciate that! Finally a scotch I can enjoy.

9th June 2016

I like this blend , it's quite thin and light compared to others ,nice tastes when drinking neat , like a 2nd rate Jonny walker black label

2nd June 2016

Probably doesn't help that I drank it back to back with Nikka Coffee Grain, but it just smells/tastes too boozy. There are some nice flavors, but for $35 you can get Asylah which I prefer.

25th May 2016

I wouldn't argue that this is not a pretty decent blend and worth the affordable price but for some reason I don't favorite it much. Can't put my finger on it. Of course the more you drink the better it gets so there's that to consider as well.

8th May 2016

At first drink it was smooth and tasty with a bit of spice and not much heat. However, after a few weeks in the open bottle it has lost its charm and turned to bitter and uninteresting crrrap. I would rather drink JWB or even Black Grouse.

20th April 2016

This whiskey.. is smoother than water and sweeter than mothers milk ! my whiskey was black label JW and now is lagavulin 16 and MS whiskey is equally as good as them !

20th April 2016

HORRIBLE STUFF

12th April 2016

I am not an expert but for the price, I think great value.

10th April 2016

As good as many high end scotch I've had . All the one star reviewers must be snorting their scotch ...

9th April 2016

Really tastes like Bourbon to me.

3rd April 2016

Very malty, fresh fruits, plain and simple but delicious. Also a beautiful bottle. Probably some e150a in it which is a shame. Enjoyable nonetheless!

1st April 2016

indubitably yummy

29th March 2016

Very distinguished from most blends. What a value. Schwing! Very smooth and pleasant, with just a bit of bite, yeah. Ceamy malt for sure. Some citrus and cinnamon spice. Warming finish free of oaky burn. To sum it up: Nice.

26th March 2016

Ok, this whisky misses the distinction that single malts have. having said that, sometimes you just want a smooth, easy to drink, down to earth, genuinely great tasting drink. When I feel philosophical, I will reach for my Old Pultney 21-year-old, but for a gentle evening of reading, this is great. It's easily my favourite of the Grants range, and to be honest, I wish they didn't own it as I really am not a fan of the Grants flagship range.

21st March 2016

Those three are Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie. Not a single trace of cheaper corn or wheat. That is why this is so very good, and a consistant award winner.

9th March 2016

Much better than Chivas Regal which retails around the same price. Rather than witter on about tasting notes, I'll list Whiskeys I like and those I hate. If you feel the same, odds are you will like this one.

Like: Jura superstition, Old Pulteney, Glen Moray. Most Speysides.

Hate: Grants , Teachers, Claymore, Jameson.

9th March 2016

Just bought my first bottle of Monkey Shoulder. I enjoy the three single malts that go into this whisky and thought I would give it a try. Love it. Easy to drink.

28th February 2016

This is a lesser known brand but a hidden gem. For it's class, it's extremely smooth, great tasting and has a pleasing finish. I prefer most Scotch's in this price range with one ice cube, but I leave out the ice for this one. If you haven't tried it you should, you won't be disappointed.

28th February 2016

This whiskey is nice, vanilla up front, toast, Brazil nuts, allspice on the finish.

What I find most interesting about the negative reviews is their general lack of detail. Seems that people who hate this are just not good at deductive sensory evaluation, and simply rely on sarcasm and hyperbole to drive the review. It's pretty obvious that just drinking a lot doesn't make you a good taster.

27th February 2016

I read about this in a few articles and liked what I was hearing. No one I knew of personally had ever tried it so I decided to. I was delighted to find out it was well priced in case I didn't like it......I love it. I had a few fellow sippers give me the thumbs up as well. This will always be a staple in my whisky collection.

12th February 2016

Hmmm, lets go with my impression then to theirs; rather light on the nose, nothing jumps out and says "pick me pick me" though vanilla is a dominate fragrance, along with a hint of spice though which one[s] i can't say. Definitely creamy and sweet, if it were not for the bite of the booze I would say this reminded me of a, yes they said it, crema catalana. Fruity, smooth only a hint of oak. I'm sorry guys I don't see where peppermint comes in here. Butterscotch and butter toast yea but there is nothing minty about this. Frankly neither a maiden on the moors in winter (too damn cold), or anybodies' wetsuit (007 or not and still too cold) is an apt description. If you need a quote I would call it, "It's a rainy night outside (on the moor if you like) and a friend and a warm fire inside just greeted you with a smile. The comfy, well worn leather chair is a given."

12th February 2016

For you ones with the 1 star or so rating your probably high maintenance and completely hard to satisfy. Because this Scotch Whisky is spectacular👍

12th February 2016

Heard a lot of hype about this whisky but on my first sip this was all dispelled. Nothing to distinguish this from any number of blends for half the price. Considering this costs single malt money, there is no reason for anyone with a taste for good scotch to buy this whisky. Pure hype!!

20th January 2016

This is a great everyday dram, and for the price is a lot better than a number of single malts I have tried. I use this as a bench mark for Speyside whiskies. Simply - If it doesn't taste better than this than its not worth the money. There are plenty of single malts on my shelf that have more flavour and are higher quality but for price, the monkey shoulder is great value.

15th January 2016

It was nice. Sharp.third taste became smooth .

11th January 2016

I had the chance to try some recently and rather liked it. For the price, it seems like a relative bargain. While it doesn't have the huge peat or malt punch like some other single varieties, I suspect the people who rate it poorly because of this are along the same line of people who rate a beer poorly if it doesn't immediately destroy your mouth with hops. Overpowering flavor does not equate to quality. It's smooth, well balanced, and has flavors that require a somewhat sensitive palate to detect compared to some, but sometimes that's nice instead of being punched in the mouth with one overwhelming taste. Just a touch of good cold spring water opens it up nicely.

7th January 2016

This is ok, although for the price I would rather have a single malt. The mixing of the 3 malts seems to have taken a bit of character way and it smells and tastes ok, it doesn't appear to be one thing or the other.

6th January 2016

Great blend, very smooth.
A fruity, sweet but not over overpoweringly sweet, whisky, that is very easy to drink.
Leaves a very refreshing after taste that lingers.
I think anyone would be hard pressed to find a blended whisky as smooth and easy drinking as this for the price.

4th January 2016

I've had several different varieties of scotch whisky over the years. I would rank Monkey Shoulder alongside my personal favorite and the gem of my collection, 15 year Dalwhinnie. (yes, I know one is highland, the other speyside).
My wife, who can't even handle the smell of it, let alone taste most whiskies, actually found it quite palatable.
I love the spicy bite of it, and found no issues with it other than the bottle is already looking sparse.

27th December 2015

Smooth, creamy, and tasty are three words I would use to describe Monkey Shoulder. Got it for $30.99 and my goodness, is it worth it. The best blended Scotch I've ever had!

27th December 2015

There are not words that exist to explain the positively awful initial flavor of the first so that I took, but it was followed up with an after taste that I could only imagine would be similar to a combination of rubbing alcohol mixed with Ipecac.

26th December 2015

A pleasant,fragrant,warming drink ,not peaty,good to relax with.

26th December 2015

This is a good drink here, very smoothe with a delightful taste. Those calling it bland, I'm not sure why. I enjoy it straight up and see no way I'd mix this.

25th December 2015

Blind taste test this against Johnny Blue and you'll never buy Blue again. At least as good if not better at a fraction of the price. Have someone pour you a dram of each in identical glasses while you're out of the room and go for it. It will change what you think you know about whisky.

20th December 2015

Shuffflagaumbunlaaaaagaaaa....... Sorry but that's how good it is! I prefer it to Johnny blue 10/10 for value and taste. Just don't ruin it with coke :-)

15th December 2015

I was gifted a bottle of Monkey Shoulder for Fathers Day , it is nearly empty. I will certainly replacing it.

13th December 2015

Never mind the negative reviews. Buy a bottle and see for yourself. Smooth from start to finish. Great flavor. Best blended scotch currently on the market for $30.

13th December 2015

Well, that went down easy. Very easy to drink, something that would be easy to nip at every night. On the otherhand, it didn't stand out either.

The nose hits smooth and ready for the mouth. On the tongue it is more smooth, a little fruit and sweets. If I drank a whole bottle, I might find out more of what is going on, but with a taste it was just easy. Finish lasted for a bit, mostly by leaving my palate happy and knowing it had a drink.

Given its price it's a great deal for a daily drink. But for those special occasions, it simply doesn't stand out.


Final Note: I am doing the 2015 advent calendar. As a result, I get one drink at it to decide if I like it enough to buy more. Sometimes I need to drink something three or four times to make up my mind. Thus, my rating is based on a one-time drink experience.

12th December 2015

Bland, pretty wimpy. Is this meant for mixing? There's nothing to this. It's tasteless.

10th December 2015

Bought it because I liked the Cage presentation, but it tasted very ordinary.
I wondered later if someone somewhere had taken out the real Monkey Shoulder whisky & substituted a cheap blend as the stopper was not sealed in any way.

9th December 2015

How disappointing! Cheap tasting blend that I for one won't buy again.

6th December 2015

Hands down the best malt wisky I have had in ages. A little difficult to come by here in Utah (USA) but worth the effort!! It is delightful straight, on the rocks, or mixed. You can't go wrong with Monkey Shoulder...

4th December 2015

Its the maltiest whiskey I have every tasted! Its just so malty. Almost overpoweringly malty. Other flavours sink into the background. If your a fan of the malty taste then its definitely worth trying when in a bar. I will be picking up a bottle.

16th November 2015

My favorite in that price range !

14th November 2015

Excellent! All family and friends take one sip and they are hooked

Problem where can I get it in the Irish Republic?

10th November 2015

Has a punch, tasty and goes down smooth with no harsh aftertaste.. I will be keeping this in my cabinet.

5th November 2015

For a blended scotch with no age statement this is legit. Strong and has a good overall speyside flavor. I've tried it over ice and with no ice and it just seems to fit no matter which way you try it. Definitely better than your popular name brand whisky.

18th October 2015

Me as new drinker found that this is a very good start for everyone who would like to enter into a deeper whisky world. Really like it, sweet, and cheap.

13th October 2015

Keeping in mind it's a somewhat budget scotch, this three malt blend is a standout. I fail to agree with the negative reviews People with closed palates don't make good scotch drinkers l guess.

28th September 2015

I generally drink Glenlivet or Glenfiddich, with a Laphroaig or Lagavulin thrown in from time to time for that fine old burned cotton flavor. While I'm not insensitive to the difference in 12-year-old and 15-year-old versions, I don't find that it's worth the extra $20 for everyday stuff.

Last night my liquor store was out of everything but 15-year-old Glenfiddich at $72 for the 750ml. I noticed this bottle of "Monkey Shoulder" for $35, and thought what the heck, a Scotch with a name like that deserves a try. I was pleasantly surprised. While it might not be up to the standard of some of the connoisseurs here, I find it's a cut above Dewar's, Cutty and Red Label in the same price range. If the Glenlivet is to you a barely-acceptable alternative to be drunk when proper Scotch isn't available, then don't waste your money. If, however, you're looking for a good medium-priced Scotch, you might find yourself agreeably surprised by this one.

This is as of fall 2015, however, and this appears to be a new brand. We all know that once the brand gets established as among the best in its price range, the makers are likely to gradually cheapen the blend. It might be a case of enjoy it while it's still enjoyable.

26th September 2015

just bought a bottle. It's that bad it needs coke or dry for me to be able to consume it.

18th September 2015

I'm two bottles into this blend and it is quite palatable for the beginner in the "scotch" market. I've used it mainly for mixed drinks and it had produced satisfying results.

17th September 2015

Started off nice but finishes rough. No complexity, no flavour. Not sure what to do with the rest of the bottle.

15th September 2015

I first tasted Monkey Shoulder in 2012 and it was quite an amazing bargain for something under $30. In 2013, I had one bottle that was a step above anything I had before, like a fine highland single malt. Since then, I've had bottles that tasted so light and bland and others that were just average. Perhaps their blending process from three single malts have too much variance as the single malts do differ from batch to batch and they are not blending it consistently. Nonetheless, it is a good quality scotch on average and if you get lucky, it can be something really special.

15th September 2015

I cannot, for the love of God, understand the positive reviews of this stuff. It's rough and cheap.

12th September 2015

Really good and smooth with great flavour, wish I could buy it for $30 in UK. I think the poor reviews are from US Philistines drinking neat or even worse on the rocks. Only way to drink Scotch is with a little Scottish water at room temperature.

9th September 2015

Let's just say: for those of you that compare this to vodka, you just don't know what you're talking about !! I tried this for the fist time several days ago. I'm a single malt scotch snob, but this triple blend blew me away ! I was impressed by the flavor and finish. For $30.00 per bottle, wow !

3rd September 2015

its smooth and easy to drink

3rd September 2015

As a novice scotch drinker this was by far the best scotch I've ever had (Walker Black-Dewar's-JB-Famous Grouse)a great-fruity-slight pettee flavor with an obvious anise/vanilla finish.

2nd September 2015

When I purchased monkey shoulder the very first time I was looking at spending around $50 as I normally drink single malt whisky I was going to try and find something I could drink on my own any night of the week without blowing the budget. Monkey shoulder at $41 it is the best value for money considering the fact that johnnie walker cost about the same. To all the whisky snobs "please compare apples with Apple's"

1st September 2015

Don't listen to those snobs ! I've been drinking some of the best Scotches, this, for the the money is a 10!!! I was blown away by it's finish. Please don't buy any..I want more !

31st August 2015

Over the past yr I have been exposed to about 20 different hi end scotches, ranging from 35.00 a bottle to 100.00 I play on a soccer team and we tailgate after the game and drink some scotch. Anyway, bought a bottle of this and it is quite good, easy all the way around and a fine choice to drink everyday.

Its around 30.00 a bottle and it has some of the qualities in the more expensive scotches that I had.

24th August 2015

If you look at the top 3 websites that review spirits, you will find over 300 4+ out of 5 star reviews, A's across the board from the professional reviewers... By any measure, this is an outstanding blend.

22nd August 2015

My tastes for Scotch are centered in the Macallan 18, Walker Blue Label, Talisker Disliller's Edition and Laphroaig experiences. There was a sale on Monkey Shoulder at my local importer so I figured, "Why not?" This was certainly a nice surprise for the money. Initial nose is sweet orange and subtle spice, a bit vaporous. The first sip is deceptively light, making it hard to pin down exact flavors. But as it breathes in the glass (using a small snifter helps) the tastes start revealing themselves. Honey, dark citrus, vanilla and light spice begin coming through the more you drink. But what is especially delightful is the sweet finish. The mouth is coated with honey-sweetness that is actually enhanced by the higher alcohol heat. It doesn't linger long, but I found myself comparing the flavor to Highland Park or Macallan, just a bit hotter and not quite as sophisticated. But, boy, is it close. For the less than $30 I paid, I'm stocking up on this unique triple malt. Will also make a great gift!

21st August 2015

Don't get where all the good reviews are coming from. It's bad.

21st August 2015

Nose: malt and honey
Palate: sweet malty smooth lots of honey
Finish: short slight oak and spice

Good whisky and great value

10th August 2015

Based on good reviews I bought a bottle. But it proved a big disappointment. It tastes cheap.

7th August 2015

Great taste, smooth from start to finish. The bad reviews must be from people with a palate of a mule!

4th August 2015

I agree with the negative reviews below. I expect more taste and a heavier mouth feel from a whiskey. This is a vodka drinker's whiskey.

11th July 2015

Pleasantly surprised by the smooth and sweet aftertaste.
I will buy it again.
Al those ridiculous negative reviewers are idiots.
I usually drink single malts, with the doublewood as my #1 favourite but also whiskies from around the world and Bourbons. I rarely buy blends, but this is one I will really be buying again. And I will recommend it to other REAL Whisky, Whiskey and Bourbon enthusiast!

6th July 2015

idk what it takes for a person to not enjoy this. Take it for what it is, a fine blend. And at a good price. I think it's outstanding. It's just what I want to drink daily instead of the ones I would rather save. Know what I mean?

2nd July 2015

Great price for a blended whisky that blends flavor with taste. I can identify the tail hit of peppermint and the vanilla is on your first sip.

30th June 2015

This is to date the best blended whisky I have tried! I am a single malt drinker and rarely does a blend cross my lips. Monkey Shoulders has the maltiness I expect and enjoy in a quality whisky, with a smooth finish that lends itself to long sips. It pairs well with my favorite cigars or with a bowl of cavendish in my favorite briar. Monkey Shoulders has now become my standard whisky which I offer to guest. WELL DONE Mr. Grant!

28th June 2015

Normally drink Balvenie Doublewood but was bought Monkey Shoulder as a present. Very full and warm taste. A hint of peat on the nose but not overpowering. Lingering aftertaste. Very enjoyable blend of 3 malts. Would buy if I was unable to get my Balvenie Doublewood or even for a change.

22nd June 2015

Weak, thin, no mouth feel, no nose, no revealing flavours or character. Water annhilates even the wispy nothing that it tastes of neat. Ice? Well you might as well drink vodka. What is the point of a malt with no nose, no taste, no finish?

17th June 2015

This is such a dull drink. Truly boring. No peat (obviously), no real malt either. Its very much reminiscent of Johnny Walker only JWB smells better and tastes of something at least. Boring boring bland. Perfect for the Chinese market I suppose. Avoid like the plague.

14th June 2015

This has been one of my favorites. I love that people say it's complete junk or absolutely fantastic. I'm one of the latter. This has been a favorite go-to for a moderately priced whisky. I too agree with others that there is some sweetness up front that lingers, but pleasantly so. Other tastes of pepper, orange, some honey, etc. A very moderate and enjoyable whisky that doesn't try too hard to be something it isn't. I find it to be an excellent value and better than others of it's price range.

14th June 2015

Was excited to try a blended or vatted malt. Love Glenfiddich and Balvenie is my current favorite - so how could a blend of three malts go bad? I tried it neat and had a burning alcohol sensation on first sip. I would have guessed it was a cask strength malt. Added some water and it calmed down a little. Finished it with ice. Don't think this will be my new everyday malt - for the price I'll by Glenmorangie 10 and enjoy my evening dram.

11th June 2015

Stay away from this whisky, i have tried A LOT of different whisky brand and this is not a matter of taste, there's just something very, very wrong with this piece of crap. It has a very intense smell of wet newspapers, damp cardboxes, i can smell mold and sweat. Yes, sweat, body odour witch lingers in your mouth even if you have a spicy meal after a dram! My God, worse spend money on whisky EVER, i hope that this kind of dissapointment never happens again.

10th June 2015

Really surprised by the rather extreme variations in scores. They must be doing something right.
IMHO, very sweet up front with little cereal to be seen. With the aroma of sicilian orange zest having (briefly!) shared the air with a freshly shaved white truffle, black pepper from...let's say, Moldovian pepper and tanned hide of Angus.
A pretty good whisky, and the best I've seen in the price range.

10th June 2015

I thought I had a bad bottle; Nope, others gave the same malt with drain cleaner finish. Guess someone likes it.

8th June 2015

Absolutely excellent - I will never understand the 1 star reviews, they make no sense.

6th June 2015

Did not like it. Quality is far below par at this price level. After sitting for months in my whisky cabinet I put it where it belongs: down the drain.

4th June 2015

I bought a bottle and I can say it was dull tasteles and I tasted malted blends before and they were a lot better than this one. I was brought up on good drinking malts blended and single malts by my grandfather and he was italian.By the way I was born and bread in Edinburgh and Im Scottish.If it had been 70%proof and not 40%proof it would get my vote but they killed it by watering it down.

3rd June 2015

I did not enjoy this at all! I bought it because all the rave reviews about it. It was utterly disappointing. All malts? Really? Must be bad ones then. For the money much better scotch can be had.

1st June 2015

I'm not really a fan of scotches but this one is brilliant.
I found it was similar to a bourbon. There was a certain sweetness that was not too much - a truly lovely whiskey

1st June 2015

i found monkey sholder on the rocks to be a great drop for the price. Most scotches I drink are in the $100-200 range and have been looking for a cheaper drop for awhile Happy with monkey sholder

29th May 2015

I was in the supermarket looking for a cheapish whisky to try and saw this on offer so rang a friend who I knew had mentioned trying this. He said "yea it was good, from what I remember anyway...". To cut a long story slightly shorter - it's crap. Bought it, sipped it, hated it. Not sure I would describe it as pure alcohol taste as some reviewers have, but it doesn't have anything going for it and has a weird aftertaste. Planned to keep it for when non-whisky drinkers were around but ended up drinking most of it myself in order to preserve the finer malts.

Simply put, it tastes like a generic £13 young blend... no names.

The only caveat being that this review is based on one bottle. A bottle which looked/felt decidedly cheap I might add (with the plastic monkeys peeling off the shoulder).

27th May 2015

I am a connoisseur of fine whiskeys, and usually purchase a Malt Scotch around $100. The Monkey Shoulder is about half of what I pay. This is my experience. I poured one shot of Monkey's on the rocks in a bourbon glass. I took a sip within seconds, and experienced a sharp burnt honey malt flavor and very strong alcohol aromas. Not comparable to my usual experience of a single malt. So I let the glass "breathe" for about 3 minutes in the ice. My second sip was completely different. Melting chocolate on the tongue with a honey malt aftertaste and the smell of cinnamon. Delightful. The woman I was drinking with also agreed about to let the Monkey sit on the rocks for a few minute. The Monkey needs to breathe in order to bring out the fragrance and flavors. For the price, this is good value, and I recommend the Monkey.

22nd May 2015

I don't get the good reviews. It's horrible.

16th May 2015

For the first time I poured a bottle down the drain. It's cheap and tastes cheap. I think the 'refined connoiseur' below has dissolved his taste buds...

16th May 2015

great taste and value for money

14th May 2015

I guess you get what you paid. Not Impressed

10th May 2015

Smells like scotch, tastes like scotch!

9th May 2015

Not recommended at all. Cheap alcohol taste.

25th April 2015

This is lovely, really enjoying it. My favourite recent bottle was a Jura Prophesy. But this was half the price but certainly not half the enjoyment.

21st April 2015

Initially I came here to write a negative review and give this monkey no 'shoulder' to lean on, but after seeing many positive reviews I'm beginning to think I just had a bad bottle. Mine was flat of taste, with little going on except for the alcohol, making it more of a vodka experience to drink. I strongly suspect I had a bad bottle. Giving this whisky the benefit of the doubt, I'll try it again if someone else I know offers me a glass to compare it to the bottle I had.

17th April 2015

I like it and could drink lots of it. A lovely blend with good flavour, but it has lost the bright highlights of Speyside Malts. A great whiskey intro, which won't put off the newbies from trying stronger flavours. Start here and explore the world of whiskey!

3rd April 2015

how can someone say it has a 'vodka' taste to it? not a drop of grain, right? anyways, great neat and great with a drop of pure water. don't think i'd ever use this in a cocktail. highly recommended! often on sale in PA for under $30

29th March 2015

It was $5 off at the Pennsylvania State Store so I gave it a try. Very smooth and full of flavor. I miss that it does not have a burn but it makes it up in its elegance. Definitely thumbs up.

22nd March 2015

This is one of the best for a sub €25 budget. Easily accessible but not shallow. Bottle was bought over a year ago though so no indication if new batches are out and of the same quality...

20th March 2015

This blend stands up to be enjoyed as a neat dram. Good flavour and great value for money. For me much better than a Jonny walker and a number of single malts I have on my shelf.

15th March 2015

Trying it for the first time, some friends told me it is exellent.

4th March 2015

Whilst not boasting the qualities of some nicer blended scotch whiskys, we must remind ourselves that we are paying just under £25 for this bottle - making it, in my opinion, very reasonable!

As an easy drinking house scotch I think this does very well, sweet on the palate but with a bit of spice on the finish. I feel I would need to have that Scottish experience detailed by Monkey Shoulder before I could make a comparison - maybe you could sponsor it!

25th February 2015

was bought this for my birthday last year and keep stocking up! Have to keep the bottles as well as they are beautiful!
Recommended for the general whiskey drinker!

20th February 2015

Tried it out last night at me pals, bottle empty this morning :)

16th February 2015

It tastes rough and cheap. Wodka-ish,if you like. I will not buy this again as there are better brands to be had for this money.

4th February 2015

Received a bottle as a birthday present so you may think I it's churlish, but I find it very bland.
I don't get anything from it. My preference is for peaty stuff from the Western Isles! Islay, Jura for example.
Had I bought this for myself I would have felt cheated.

30th January 2015

New to the scotch scene. Love the Balvenie but for about half the price, Monkey Shoulder will work for a everyday dram. Can taste the Balvenie influence but just a touch more heat, but nothing bad. Would recommend and picking up another bottle while it's on sale!!

29th January 2015

Bought first bottle today...fantastic

16th January 2015

My son-in-law gifted me a bottle of Monkey Shoulder last year. Great stuff!!! I plan to purchase a couple of bottles as gifts for friends.

1st January 2015

I used to use this as a startup whisky. It was smooth and tasted great. A quality spirit. But the last 3 bottles I bought were not up to spec. One bad bottle I can cope with, but 3? This was my last bottle as the quality is not there anymore.
It's so bad that I compared it with Famous Grouse. The Grouse came out better. Proof to me that they went with younger spirit to create this blended malt. Shame on them. Not recommended!

23rd December 2014

Terrible. Spend an extra 10-15 american and get a bottle of 10 yo Jura. Have that and then tell me you'll ever waste your money on this again. I wish I could return it. Terrible.

20th December 2014

I keep two bottles of this whisky in my house at all times. It's a nice everyday whisky for the working man. I can only drink the expensive shit on holidays and birthdays. I'm actually going to the McAllister Christmas party tonight and I plan on getting loaded on Ledaig and Tobermory. No that you gaf.

20th December 2014

Very Nice.. Really Smooth - Will make anyone a scotch lover...

17th December 2014

Such a delicious dram it tastes like 100 dollar malt I can't stop coming back to it lol a must try for malt lovers.

17th December 2014

Please tell me iv found wat Iv been looking for we went to the whiskey sessions in Manchester last month & was trying the tasters & was wondering if this is it were u there & does it taste like fudge

16th December 2014

Smels like illegal cheap vodka. No taste, no nothing.
Only for mixing with cola. Not recommend.

16th December 2014

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!

13th December 2014

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.

13th December 2014

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.

12th December 2014

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.

12th December 2014

Definitely very creamy, both in arome (very nice) and in taste (interesting but maybe bit overkill). Heh, yes, there is a bit of vomit aftertaste after a while, but only if you really think about it, and it's faint. I'd say very interesting choice for fan of exploring different whiskeys, especially for the price.

12th December 2014

I don't why people are complaining this is bomb and I tried many malts this is a blend of 3 malts but taste like a single malt

5th December 2014

This stuff comes on lovely, then ... all of a sudden ... hits you with the god-awful taste of stale jock strap (don't ask how I recognize the taste)!

I'm carting up the bottle and taking it back to the liquor store.

3rd December 2014

If you're looking for a fascinating captivating whisky well maybe this one isn't it. But for the money it's fantastic, certainly wouldn't turn down a glass. Be a good one to introduce a newbie to whisky.

2nd December 2014

It starts out ok, but finishes with an aroma and taste reminiscent of vomit. Adding water doesn't help, and neither does trying it a few months after opening. Very disappointed.

30th November 2014

Monkeys smell like the working class, but taste like a patissier. A grainy bouquet of home-made beer, bread and chalk (& pear on the horizon) is greeted by a sweet palate of caramel, toffee and candy.

26th November 2014

I fell in love with Haighs Dimple on my first visit to Glasgow for Hogmanay 1956. I am older and wiser now. If there is a whisky better than Monkey Shoulder, in the same price range. THEN I AM A MONKEY' UNCLE. I absolutley love it.

24th November 2014

Nice looking bottle, nothing special about the whiskey.
I bought it because I liked the bottle. It's amazing how if you fill a fancy looking bottle with the very cheapest brandy everyone in the room suddenly turns into a whiskey tasting expert, and they never say it's rubbish! I highly recommend buying this for the bottle.

15th November 2014

Especially if you dont want to dip into your Balvenie Doublewood all the time.

24th October 2014

I know good scotch from bad, and both bottles of the Monkey Shoulders i've had have have delicious, if not particularly characterful - reminiscent, in fact, of Dewars 12 - but rather more intense. This blended malt is then, unsurprisingly, a perfect scotch for cocktails and casually getting loaded. As advertised, by the makers, I might add - as well as many of the reviewers. Meanwhile, the reviews are, statistically, a classic `brassiere curve' with maxima at 1 and 4 stars. WAKE UP LADS AND LASSIES bottle variation often occurs when a new blend is being established - for a multitude of fairly obvious reasons including fluctuations in constituent malt supply, manufacturer tinkering, chaotic and faulty shipping and storage as markets are being established - the list goes on. I'm sure that if we keep buying the stuff, the Grant boys will settle it down - and we'll be blessed with a terrific value in under $40 classic booze - my `house malt' until someone makes something better.

24th October 2014

This is sublime stuff indeed...there's a lot going on here and it's almost a psychedelic rainbow of tastes...a skilled blend that reminds you of some of your favourite old friends you can't quite name...I'm shamefully at the time in my mid life when I can afford my indulgences and this is my "go to bed" tipple...sends me to a peaceful conclusion with a half read Russian novel ... Life rarely gets better

22nd October 2014

This isn't going to convert any hardcore single malt imbibers, nor is it meant to, I think. I can pick this up in the local airport duty-free shop (Malaysia) for the equivalent of about US$32 for a liter. At that price point, it absolutely delivers. I'll never pick this over some of my favored Japanese and Scotch single malts and blends for drinking with just a few drops of water. But for more creative drinks, I think this is a winner. I add a tiny bit of homemade ginger syrup and top up with mineral water (or soda) and it's really drinkable that way (perhaps dangerously so). The spicy bourbon-like character of the dram lends itself well to a bit of ginger, and I think this is a fine malt blend to experiment with for highballs and cocktails. Leave your single malt snobbery at the door for a night and give this one a whirl. That fancy Bruichladdich and your prized 18-year-old Speyside will still have you back tomorrow, don't fret.

12th October 2014

This whisky seems to divide us into two distinct categories, I am firmly in the 'Yes! Absolutely delightful' group.

My experience of malts is restricted to under £100/bottle, my preference when buying for myself is around £25. For me, good whisky is not determined by heritage, tradition, or numbers (age or proof); good whisky is something I enjoy drinking in a relaxed manner, preferably in good company. Whisky is also a matter of personal preference. My preference is for Speyside rather than Island malts, Glendronach from sherry casks is my favorite, however Monkey Shoulder is the bottle I most frequently buy - it's quite similar even if less distinct. Another reviewer described it perfectly in the following terms: Taste: creamy, subtle sweet sherry vibe (fruityish), cinnamon spicy, very very light hint of smoke at the tail end.

Since discovering this tipple, I find the business of choosing a whisky really straightforward. If the retailer stocks it, I buy it, if not, I leave empty handed knowing that I will find it elsewhere.

Being un-snobbish about whisky, I also enjoy the break with tradition that this brand offers.

27th September 2014

Batch 27, you have to be kidding. I want my money back and extra for the trauma of tasting this poison.

19th September 2014

Keep in mind that all whiskies are different and each person has a different palate.

18th September 2014

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.

14th September 2014

great bang for buck! over one ice cube for best result!

7th September 2014

Put simply: simply wonderful!

23rd August 2014

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.

19th August 2014

loved it till the last drop drunken monkey

17th August 2014

I guess, I should feel lucky getting it locally for under $27/.75L. @43% it's a little harsh, but with a twist in a good way. Well, I generally believe the "magic" 40% of alcohol lets judging the taste the best. There are exceptions of course, but Monkey Shoulder ain't one of them. Still it's a good value for under $27/bottle.

15th August 2014

Lovely sweet, malty, rich. Very nice neat or over a little ice. The good qualities of both Balvenie and Glenfiddich.

31st July 2014

Aeberlour 12, glenfidich 15, balvenie double wood, Caribbean cask, glenlevit 15, glenmorangie lansanta, and Ruben, monkey shoulder... Personally, these whiskies all have a similar character.

Monkey Shoulder, fits the bill.... Nice, affordable, blended scotch. Been on the hunt for this!

Taste:
creamy, subtle sweet sherry vibe (fruityish), cinnamon spicy, very very light hint of smoke
at the tail end, added this to the shelf.
If you like the ones I listed before my thoughts.

Highly recommended.

29th July 2014

Loved it!!! Smooth when poured gently over a single ice cube. Good nose and no difficult follow through. Am usually a single malt drinker, but this blend is an awesome introduction to masterly blended whiskey

10th July 2014

I am a cook. I took all the ingredients of Monkey Shoulder's "Nose" and mixed them together. Then I did the same for the "Palate" and "Finish" From the "Nose" concoction I inhaled deeply, from the Palate (with the aid of a drop of distilled water) I sipped and then, for a moment, lingered expectant of the promised finish and ready to compare with my third potion of orange, etc.
I wasn't disappointed, the experience was almost exactly the same as sampling a dram of your excellent Monkey Shoulder, (only without the burn of alcohol)
Your taster's are almost bang on in they'yr nomenclature, Though may I suggest for the "Finish" to add a drop of morning dew from the horn of a sleeping Unicorn !!

9th June 2014

Not much above mid chest and definitely below the shoulder.
It is a blend and comparable to others in the price point. A GOOD Walker is better but I would not mix with Johnny. Probably really good as a top shelf mixer but do not expect much if drinking alone. Perhaps clean/clear ice carved from pristine Antarctic glaciers would allow the Monkey to properly blossom?

29th May 2014

Great whiskey for the money, dont taste like blended att all, sweet, full in flawor, taste fruti, taste apple and more Just great!

25th April 2014

I'v just discovered that my pallet has developed enough to enjoy malt whiskies and I purchased a small sample bottle from asda of your Monkey Shoulder.....I found it very very nice and on a par with the best I'v tasted. Next stop full bottle....Spot on. I must come and visit you.

25th April 2014

Hi all!

This whiskey is ok, it dont have a big bodey, but it is good for the price. Smooth and fruity and taste good. No long aftertaste but still it have a great taste. My points is 82/100

24th April 2014

LOVE it, it's my favorite. Doesn't taste like "blended" whiskey. I drink it neat and enjoy every drop.

31st March 2014

MS first scotch wife liked that we haved tasted in Scotland

28th March 2014

Monkey Shoulder is not a blended Scotch, but rather is what has come to be officially termed a "blended malt Scotch," meaning it contains NO grain whisky, only single malts, specifically Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie (three of William Grant's Dufftown distilleries). Some of the commenters here may well be tasting the cratur at bottled strength, with predictably disappointing results. Adding even a few drops of unchlorinated water to the whisky has the (usually beneficial) effect of what professional noses call "opening the nose" of the dram. Fundamentally, the slight dilution thus provided changes the relative volatility of the various aromatic components of the distillate, which affects the flavor. Personally, I find Monkey Shoulder to be a liquid substitute for a sweet dessert, and a very satisfying substitute indeed. Kudos to Grant's resident "nose."
Keith Töpfer

26th March 2014

I received this as a gift from a coworker who visited Scotland two weeks ago. At first I was a little resistant as I had never heard of it before. However, once I got my first taste......I am hooked. The palate is amazing. The flavor are evenly balanced in a smooth, creamy , nutty concoction that will leave you wanting more. I have been a fan of another scotch for the last 32 years. Monkey Shoulder just became my number one poison. Well done.

21st March 2014

Just purchased a bottle for the first time. The bottle itself caught my eye and the spelling of Wisky, (not local), plus color and font lending to an underscore of the description from the label and encouraged my purchase. Now,that's the outside. Thought you might want to know what got me try this particular blended Scotch. I will review the inside shortly.

15th February 2014

The negative comments here scared me, but when I saw how many positive ones there were, I thought "surely there must be something to this." But now, having tried this whisky, I must say I agree with the negative comments.

I'm by no means an expert, but my last 15 or so bottles of scotch have all been single malts from a variety of regions and styles. My palate is more sensitive than it used to be and I can easily say this blended single malt is near the bottom.

It has a little smoke, which I like (I'm a big fan of the Islay malts), but here are the downsides: The nose has a sharp "rubbing alcohol" smell (almost reminds me of smoky vodka) that overpowers the other softer notes which may have otherwise been pleasant - for example, there's a little smoke / oak smell, but again - overpowered by the alcohol/vodka.

The palate is very similar to the nose - a sharp vodka/alcohol taste as it hits the tongue. There are hints of better flavor underneath that bite, but they're unable to break through.

The finish is also unpleasant. It fades very quickly, and I'm left with an unpleasant "alcohol" finish I'd normally associate with a cheap "party" whisky rather than a scotch. Only difference is I get a little bit of oak / smoke.

Since this is a single malt blend from some well known distillieries, my thoughts are it was either made from reject barrels and/or extremely immature barrels - aka 1 day over the 3 year minimum :).

You get what you pay for, I guess.

12th February 2014

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.

20th January 2014

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.

9th January 2014

A great whiskey and for a blend almost as good as Teachers

1st January 2014

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

27th December 2013

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

1st November 2013

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.

1st November 2013

Whilst preferring single malts , this is a smooth Speyside mix, and a bargain at £20 in Asda's Aberdeen!!

1st October 2013

help,maybe holding on to a bottle for a few months allowed it to spoil,something is wrong

14th September 2013

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.

11th September 2013

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.

31st August 2013

Waitrose had this knocked down to £16 (yes, I know...) so I thought I would try it. I buy very few blends and normally have a cupboard full of single malts, but this keeps pace with those and is an amazing blend. The Balvenie shines through in this mix but isn't dominant - pure genius in my opinion and the price is crazy.

29th July 2013

My introduction into whisky. This was a good start. A solid taste, not the smoothest. But easy enough to drink neat.

12th July 2013

Not complex, but nothing about it is bad.

It has a hint of spice which makes me think of Johnny Walker Red label (if it were good).

It's a good value and has a nice creamy body. The sweet maltiness and pleasant fruity flavor of a basic Speyside is what this is all about.

12th July 2013

No kidding lads and lassies, this is a treat, I bought one for the first time whilst looking for something new to try, but I struggled to find one that appealed to me, so I bought this one for the quirky three little monkeys stuck on the side of the bottle. I was very pleasantly surprised when I tried it, I think (and I know we all have different tastes) it's probably the nicest reasonably priced whisky I've tasted!.....Never tried it? take a leap of faith!

21st June 2013

This is a fantastic blend, after picking up a bottle in a supermarket and seeing the label 'Triple Malt' on offer I was sceptical, having had my fingers burned with pure malt blends in the past that were car crashes of flavours! First taste was promising, with a mixer this is pure nectar and rewrites the rules (do not abuse this with cola!), but in a true serve with a few drops of water it opens up and gives out beautiful citrus openers, before becoming textures of rich classic oak aged flavours, but a warm aftertaste. When you research the blend, it comes back as William Grants mucking about with the three malt distilleries they own, glenfiddich, balvenie (both pretty hit and miss at times) and kininvie

30th May 2013

Excellent blend smooth and supple.

19th May 2013

The bad reviews here are funny--this is not a single malt, nor should it be compared to one. This just became available locally (Los Angeles, USA), and I think it is very nice. It seems they are trying to go after Bourbon and Irish Whiskey more with this one. This something affordable that can be quaffed quickly, implemented into a cocktail or enjoyed slowly. It's versatile and not offensive in any way. The price is right as well. Scotch Whisky lovers should be celebrating this brand because it is a great spokesproduct for the industry.

1st May 2013

Obviously many eat too many take aways with spices. Taste alters no longer able to Taste Simplicity's subtleness. I am not "expert" in whisky. Yet tasted Auchentoshan 3 woods, Jack Daniels, Balvenie : loved them all. Here like rare Connoisseur palates write it, there is no COMPLEXITY in flavour, it is like I am drinking water flavoured with whisky. Smooth is sure. Water is smooth. Rich is nonsense.
So from now on, I will trust my instinct : keep faithful to the Brands I love. I trusted the reviews and instead of buying a Balvenie I bought the monkeys. It is drinkable but it is not worth more than 10 GBP. You need to be hungry to taste the real complexity of bread. Same for whisky. Monkeys can monkey real whiskys but only once in my case.

27th April 2013

Very good, THE Netjerlands

25th April 2013

Great taste neat with a couple drops of water, SUPERB! Would recommend to anybody & everybody! Go Grant!

13th April 2013

A good whiskey , tried it first time , very satisfied.

23rd March 2013

Unfortunately I bought this in the hope of finding a cheaper option to the mid range single malts. It isn't for me, no complexity, no length on finish, no taste. If you look at their web site it is obvious they had cocktails in mind when they produced this.

11th March 2013

I believe its great value for money.

15th January 2013

great whisky, surprisingly complex and deliciously upfront.

15th January 2013

Gone is the sweetness, the hint of liqueurs, the appealing taste of a whisky which can be shared with everyone. Now we only have a harsh blended which is now massively overpriced for what it is. When did these reviewers make their reviews? I bet when the labe said "Triple Malts" not Batch 27!

10th January 2013

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.

26th December 2012

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.

27th October 2012

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.

13th September 2012

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 !!

13th August 2012

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.

6th August 2012

Not a bad scotch blended malt (mix of three single malts from Grants), but a little bit too sweet, it's all toffee and vainilla and too little oak. it must be matured for not so much time and clearly in bourbon casks

5th August 2012

Ian: " The monkey shoulder blend is Unbelievable. On its own fantastic with water just as good!!"

9th May 2012

Bought some samples for my father and his mates to try in South Africa as it is not available there yet (I believe they have just released Monkey Shoulder in USA?) I am already a convert and luckily purchased my full bottle from MoM before they sold out. Can't go wrong at £22/bottle. Unbelievable value. Definitely my new favourite blend (I would usually drink Johnnie Walker Black if I was to drink a blend but not any more) Hurry up and get some stock back in - you may need it soon. Here is what the "Ballies" in South Africa had to say:
Dad: "very very good. 84 rating" (Whisky Bible? if you pay attention to these ratings)
Ian: "..."

8th May 2012

Very surprised saw this in Asda at £23 a bottle best £23 ever spent.

3rd February 2012

I see all these reviews with 4+ stars (8+ rating), and therefor I felt the need to express my own experience which is totally the opposite.
I only had 1 glass (which I did not finish) and gave the bottle away, for me it was way too easy to drink. Too sweet in my opinion, especially the palate.

2nd January 2012

I'm a born liar.

28th December 2011

Having read all the reviews I will not open my bottle but leave it to my sons on my demise.

28th December 2011

Srooling over this gem... A complexity hidden behind a simplicity. Can't ask for a better casual swig!

13th November 2011

This is a surprise.. why? ,because it is GOOD. Another great surprise is the buying price.Easy to drink as a regular dram. Not usually fond of blends, but his is a blend of whiskies that unite in unique synergy!!

3rd October 2011

Superb........... Enough said.......

6th June 2011

bought this out of curiousity and drank it in a month, not me but everyone that tried it wanted more. I love single malts and the only blend I usually buy is Black Grouse or Black Bush, not any more. Try it, you will not be dissapointed, I wasnt.

1st March 2011

Simply the best

25th February 2011

just love the taste of this

29th January 2011

I loved this Scotch with a capital S

29th January 2011

Never been keen on blended whiskies ,but this one is a winner The price is a bonus the spice and sweetness just great 10/10.

16th January 2011

Wow I have never recommended a malt before but this is stunning! I have £70+ bottles that are not as good.. for me the you can really taste the balvenie, which is no bad thing... try it! you will not find a better <£30 blend

9th December 2010

This is the best example of a blended malt I have ever tasted.

17th November 2010

One of the best whiskeys you can buy! better than most single malts

16th September 2010

One of the best blended whisky as is consists of three single malts.

5th July 2010

One of the best !!

3rd March 2010

very nice for he price

31st October 2009