Do You Know the Tale Behind Monkey Shoulder Whisky?

The Monkey Shoulder whisky is a fun brand for casual whisky drinkers. But did you know the whisky tells of an old injury?

William Grant & Sons, who you may know from whiskies like The Balvenie and Glenfiddich, have been distilling whisky since 1887. In 2000, the family saw an opportunity to take whisky to a broader audience by recommending it in a cocktail! The family ultimately created a blend of three whiskies they already had in house: Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie.

The whisky was initially named Batch 27 in 2003. However, that name proved a bit old-fashioned for a modern, trendy drink, especially when the aim was to appeal to the cocktail crowd. As a result, the distillery went in search of a more vibrant name for their whisky.

The decision was made to give Batch 27 a name that reflects the whisky industry's history. More specifically, it refers to an old hardship that arose during the distillation process: Monkey Shoulder. Many men working with whisky suffered from this issue. But what exactly is monkey shoulder?

Monkey Shoulder originated during the grain germination phase when the process still followed traditional methods. The wet grain would be spread across the stone floor at the distillery. It had to be regularly stirred to prevent the roots from intertwining.

Therefore, several men with shovels would walk through the grain, churning it over. It was an extremely hard job that required them to stoop slightly forward all the time.

Over time, the men began to suffer from a condition that caused their shoulder and arm to droop a bit. This hang resembled the way a monkey carries its arm, hence the nickname 'monkey shoulder' for this affliction.

Thankfully, this ailment is one of history, as the distillery process at many distilleries has been modernized. Monkey Shoulder ensures that this is never forgotten, as the whisky has become an undeniable presence!