Launched in 2005, this light-hearted, easy drinking blended malt is composed of the three single malts in the William Grant & Sons stable of distilleries: Glenfiddich, Balvenie and the lesser known Kininvie. The malts are matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks, and then vatted together in small batches for up to six months. Bottled at 43%.

The term monkey shoulder is a reference to a condition that the maltmen who worked at distilleries sometimes endured after long shifts manually turning the barley. The tough work had a tendency to cause them to stoop and their arm to hang down reminiscent of a monkey!

Nose: An elegant nose of marmalade, cocoa and malt. Plenty of vanilla and some spice (nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon) with a hint of aniseed.

Palate: A malty, creamy delivery with a suggestion of berries. Juicy toasted barley, cloves and butterscotch with honey, hot-buttered-toast and dried apricot.

Finish: Medium length, spicy oak and a hint of peppermint on the tail.

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