Monkey Shoulder Review

Details

Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (Speyside)

86 Proof

History/Description

Monkey Shoulder derives its name from a bygone ailment that took its toll on Scotland’s malt men. After long shifts of constant manual flipping of malted barley, workers were susceptible to a condition which caused one arm to hang down lower than the other; they called this monkey shoulder.

The three malt components that form Monkey Shoulder are derived from three Speyside distilleries: Balvenie, Glenfiddich and Kininvie. The whiskies, which are matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks, are vatted together in small batches.

As Scotch began an upward trend in the early 2000s, William Grant & Sons combined malt whisky from the three distilleries to create a blended malt. Launched in 2005, Monkey Shoulder filled a gap in the category for a fun-yet-premium brand that resonated with both consumers and bartenders alike. In 2012 the brand launched in the United States.

Branding/Bottle

Love the shape and the off center monkeys made of different material. Nice neutral label. Honestly one of my favorite bottles, if not my favorite.

Hand Thing

Smells light and delicious. Like you’re in a grain field next to a candy factory.

Nose

Vanilla, Cereal, Honey, Apple, Orange.

Palate

Sweet and light while remaining creamy and malt-forward.

Finish

Medium finish. Nice oiliness and warmth for how light it is.

Commentary

Like other speyside scotches I’ve had, this very much grew on me as I drank it. After the “tasting pour”, when I just sat down with it, it seemed a little spicier up front but much more mellow and smooth otherwise. 

I first purchased Monkey Shoulder on the recommendation of a scotch-loving close friend of mine. It was actually the first scotch I sampled neat and I immediately fell in love. That day I was convinced that scotch was the best type of whisky, and I needed to try more of it. I was so convinced, that the next time I went to the liquor store near my house, I picked up my friend’s other recommendation, Johnnie Walker (Black Label), convinced that I would like it even more because it was more expensive.  Little did I know that it was a Speyside that I had fallen for, and I was projecting that infatuation onto a vast and varied world of different scotches I knew nothing about; needles to say, my first Islay scotch was a shock to my system. In fact, at the time of writing this, I have only sampled three types of scotch, the two aforementioned whiskies, and Glenfiddich. And so, that vast and varied world of scotch is one I still eagerly await exploring.

Monkey Shoulder was also the first “dessert whiskey” I had tried in that it was the first I wanted to try drinking after a good meal. Another close friend of mine (not the scotch fiend, but in fact a red-blooded Irishman with an affinity for Tullamore Dew) and I would often cook a meal together on the weekend. The dish of this memory was a simple chicken and pasta affair, after which I decided to indulge in some Monkey Shoulder. I am convinced to this day that that was one of the tastiest pours of whiskey I’ve ever had.

Verdict

Monkey Shoulder is one of only two whiskies I credit with opening the door to the complex and entertaining world of whiskey enthusiasm for me. As an approachable, sweet, and fruity whisky at a skosh higher proof than the typical offering, it’s not hard to see why. Monkey Shoulder is both the quintessential speyside and the ideal example of what makes a blend so wonderful. In a class of spirits vying for uniqueness by offering so many distinct aging processes and complex flavors, Monkey Shoulder is simple, delicious and knows what it’s about. Monkey Shoulder is the perfect gateway whisky to scotch and whisk(e)y as a whole, without losing it’s charm for hardened veterans.

Monkey Shoulder is a bowl of ice cream, at the end of what was already an excellent day.

I give Monkey Shoulder 4 stars.