Monkey Shoulder Review: 'a gentle blend'

Some whiskies are crafted to be savored straight from a glass, while others are designed for mixing. Monkey Shoulder falls into the latter category if you ask the Scottish family behind this spirit. They certainly have a sense of humor, as this blended malt tips its hat to an old ailment. Old or not, Monkey Shoulder is one of the most modern whiskies you'll come across, as you'll discover in this review.

The ailment we're referring to is literally the 'monkey shoulder.' It's an old condition that afflicted men in the whisky industry who manually shoveled barley for the whisky malting process. The heavy labor led to drooping shoulders, causing their arms to hang somewhat like that of a monkey.

When Scottish whisky started gaining popularity, grains often made up a significant portion of the blend. The men of William Grant & Sons, however, wanted nothing to do with grain whisky. They boldly rolled up their sleeves and started working on their three unique malts: Glennfiddich, Kininvie, and Balvenie.

Originally named Batch 27—a rather dusty moniker—the whisky was eventually named after the old monkey shoulder affliction, which suited its timeless and quirky character far better. Monkey Shoulder is a whisky that was meant to draw in more discerning drinkers, and it continues to do so to this day with its unique blend of three grain-less whiskies.

Each one is encapsulated in an exquisite bottle featuring three monkeys on the shoulder, one for each whisky mingled into the dark golden liquid.

You've probably played it in gym class: monkey bars. It's the craziest version of tag, where a course becomes your playground, and you're not supposed to touch the ground—just like a monkey. Similarly, Monkey Shoulder adds a twist to the traditional whisky experience.

Even though the brand inherently breaks convention, the three monkeys continue to stir up antics that remind you of monkey business. It conveys the whisky as modern, aiming to capture the attention of younger audiences by offering something special.

Since the early 2000s, Monkey Shoulder have been collaborating with the team at William Grants to create unique Monkey Shoulder cocktail variations. Hence, the birth of creative concoctions, such as the Monkey Jam Sour, a variation on Whisky Sour, and the Monkey Colada, a Piña Colada with a Monkey twist.

Monkey Shoulder even released a limited-edition bottle in collaboration with NFT platform BlockBar X in May 2022. And let's not forget when the three monkeys went into space for a good cause—thanks to a partnership with DJs Krafty Kuts and A-Skillz!

At first glance, Monkey Shoulder may seem like a heavier whisky due to its somewhat dark golden hue. However, as soon as you bring the glass to your nose, you realize this is far from a heavy or smoky whisky. Pleasurable notes of vanilla and caramel waft up, playfully entwined with a cheeky hint of lemon and sweet fruits like banana – a perfect representation of a monkey.

That citric note becomes more pronounced on the palate when you let the liquid linger on your tongue. You feel a slight burn, but it soon gives way to a warm, comforting spectrum of flavors. It's a fleeting experience, much like Monkey Shoulder's medium-long finish and the subtle presence of other flavors like vanilla.

Because none of the flavors assault your taste buds like a rampaging gorilla, the blend is excellent for mixing. It adds dimension to a cocktail without hogging the limelight. However, this also means Monkey Shoulder isn't particularly remarkable in any specific area, making it a perfect recommendation for new whisky enthusiasts.

And that's precisely what the Scottish creators of Monkey Shoulder had in mind: a blend of three malts that is reasonably priced and unmistakably quirky. It's a drink beginners can appreciate whether they choose to enjoy it neat or mixed. Even seasoned whisky lovers may find themselves revisiting this bottle when they're not in the mood for a single malt.

+ Affordable introduction to whisky

+ Delightfully sweet aroma

+ Perfect for mixing (as encouraged by Monkey Shoulder)

- Balance could be better