Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky
Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky is the blended malt made for mixing — smooth, malty, and endlessly versatile. This 750ml bottle combines three Speyside single malts at 43% ABV (86 proof), matured in first-fill bourbon casks for a rich vanilla character.
The name honors the maltmen who once turned malting barley by hand — "monkey shoulder" was the occupational strain of the job. Today it stands for a whisky built for cocktails as much as sipping, and it is a standout mixer in our whiskey collection.
Tasting Notes
Zesty orange and vanilla open into honey, malted barley, and juicy oak, finishing smooth with warm spice and a hint of berry. Richer and rounder than most blends at this price.
Why Buy Monkey Shoulder
- 100% malt whisky — a blend of three Speyside single malts, no grain whisky
- Matured in first-fill bourbon casks for vanilla depth
- Born for cocktails: the ultimate Rob Roy, Whisky Sour, or Penicillin base
- Smooth enough neat, bold enough to stand up to mixers
How to Enjoy
This is the bartender's Scotch: try it in a Rob Roy, a Ginger Monkey (whisky + ginger ale), or a classic Whisky Sour. Neat with a drop of water reveals the malt depth. Explore more Scotch in our whiskey collection, or cross over to American oak character in our bourbon whiskey collection.
FAQs
What is Monkey Shoulder made from?
A blend of three Speyside single malt whiskies — it contains no grain whisky, which is unusual for a blend at this price.
Is Monkey Shoulder good for cocktails?
Excellent — it was specifically created as a mixing malt, rich enough to shine through citrus, ginger, and vermouth.
What does "monkey shoulder" mean?
It refers to the shoulder strain maltmen developed turning barley by hand in traditional floor maltings.
Is Monkey Shoulder a single malt?
No — it is a blended malt: a blend of single malts from multiple distilleries, with no grain whisky.