Monkey Shoulder

Monkey Shoulder

/
  • Low stock - 3 items left
  • WB online shopping is safe and secure.

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.

#BLENDEDMALT

Monkey Shoulder
 
 

Overall rating: 3.125 / 5 from 8 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: [].

Review highlights

Reviews

Monkey Shoulder

"Named after the repetitive stress injury that crippled early malt pushers, kind of a dark reference for such a light and sweet malt. A good go-to whisky. Ubiquitous and pleasant as sunshine in Joburg."

— Rudi (4/5)

Good for Everyday Drinking

"Nothing to write home about. A simple enough Speyside blend. Citrus and a slight malt funk on the nose. The palate presents as honey on toast with some dry fruitiness. The finish is brief and unremarkable. Can be purchased for everyday drinking and for cocktails."

— Kyle B. (2/5)

The perfect vatted whisky

"This whiskey is definitely gonna be in my house until the monkeys extinct Iconic Speyside liquid with all the maltiness and fresh fruits aromas and same in the palate... its is good to sip on its own and good for cocktails"

— Mohammed A. (4/5)

Cheap and Cheerful

"This is a great price for a blended malt that, albeit with no age statement, at least has some provenance attached to it. Not overly exciting to be honest but then, on the other hand, there is also nothing in this dram to offend. Would make a cool gift for someone who is not yet deep into Scotch."

— Willem K. (3/5)

Why?

"I know the brand is cool, and the whisky really isn't bad over some ice, but for the money there is better whisky available. Relying too much on brand in my opinion and not enough on substance. Would gladly drink my friend's bottle, just won't be another one for myself."

— Robyn (2/5)

Sweet Crack

"Bananas. That's the dominant flavour. Fake banana flavour. With honey. A good enough entry-level Speyside blend. Supposedly for mixing, but then you're just adding more sweet fruit flavouring. I suppose, if you don't like whisky or alcohol bite, then sure."

— Robert P. (2/5)

Great Blend

"Best value for money blend around. Tons of green apple, pear and vanilla and the nose and palate."

— Johan P. (4/5)

A gem at a steal!

"Blended malts often get a bad rap but Monkey Shoulder is, in my opinion, better than any single malt you'll find at this price. I know nothing about the Kininvie in this blend but I absolutely love Balvenie and it shines through very well here. This whisky is sweet and fruity, very easy to drink but not overly light or simple, it's decently thick and oily with much more depth than you'd find if you just bought a cheap Glenfiddich or Glen Grant etc. It's great neat or in highballs or even an old fashioned. A typical, well married Highland Scotch with no overly stand out flavours but lots of honey, light fruits and butterscotch, I get occasional toasted banana along with the malt notes. No smoke but there is a small hint of woodiness."

— Alex A. (4/5)

Q&A

More from All Whiskies Under R501
Three Ships Bourbon Cask South African Whisky
Three Ships Bourbon Cask
Jim Beam White Label Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Jim Beam White Label
Stateless Bourbon
Famous Grouse Smoky Black
Gelston's Blended Irish Whiskey
Gelston's Blended Whiskey
Jack Daniel's Old No.7
 
Globally Awarded
Best Whisky Retailer
Free S.A. Shipping
on Orders Over R1200
4.9/5 Customer Rating
Over 2,000 Reviews