Monkey Shoulder Blend Scotch (750Ml)

Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt Scotch from William Grant & Sons. It first came out in 2003, under the working name Batch 27. Unlike most blends, it uses no grain whisky at all. It is made only from single malts. The first recipe drew on three Speyside distilleries owned by the family: Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie. The malts rest in first-fill bourbon barrels, then get married in small batches.

Your first sniff brings zesty orange and sweet vanilla. Honey and a creamy, crème brûlée-like note follow, with a little cocoa and spiced oak. The palate is malty and creamy. Toasted barley leads, with vanilla, a hint of berry fruit and a touch of clove. Spicy oak keeps it lively. The finish is medium in length. Warm nutmeg and cinnamon fade out with a bright bit of citrus.

The name comes from an old distillery injury. Maltmen turned barley by hand for hours on end. Some ended up with a sore, drooping arm they called monkey shoulder. You can spot three metal monkeys climbing the shoulder of the bottle as a nod to them.

Monkey Shoulder was built with bartenders in mind, and it shows. It makes a lovely Whisky Sour or Old Fashioned. It is also great in a simple ginger highball. Sip it neat when you want to taste the malt. Serve it with grilled meats, dark chocolate or a cheese board.

Judges like it too. It won Gold at the International Spirits Challenge in 2020. The US bottle is poured at 43% ABV, with no age statement. If you are new to Scotch, this is a friendly place to start. If you already love fruity Speyside whiskies, it gives you great value in your glass.