Details
- Price: $30
- Proof: 86 (43% ABV)
- Type: Blended Scotch Whiskey
- Age: No Statement Age
- Distillery: William Grant and Sons
- Visit the distillery page at Monkey Shoulder
Review
Nose: the nose is very subtle. I tried to think of 10 different ways to write this but those 5 words capture the smell. Scotch often requires an acquired nose/palate, yet Monkey Shoulder is approachable by all whiskey drinkers based on the blended malt.
Palate: Monkey Shoulder is a balanced scotch and highly recommended for those transitioning from bourbon or other whiskeys. There is little to no heat (customary of scotch) and the flavors are smooth and a bit creamy. The complexity of Monkey Shoulder’s taste separates it from competitors at the same price range, which is a key attribute for those dabbling in scotch for the first time. It lacks the bolder flavors you experience with bourbon, but there is something about it that gives you the same enjoyment. I read about Monkey Shoulder online when building my whiskey collection and was impressed with my first drink. Years later, it’s still a scotch I look to grab when enjoying a drink on a quiet, weekday night.
Finish: the finish is low to medium and very smooth. It doesn’t linger as long as other scotches, which makes Monkey Shoulder more approachable to new scotch drinkers. This is a simple, clean, crisp closing – but not unique.
Rating
Overall Score: 8.5 (note: score reflects taste and price)
Monkey Shoulder is a blended scotch whiskey that could swap the word ‘blended’ for balanced; this may not appear to be a sexy adjective describing whiskey, but here it plays perfectly as this is a great whiskey for those seeking out scotch for the first time or enjoying a relaxing drink at home. The flavor is smooth with added complexity which pairs well with the low price to make this a common bottle among collectors and regular drinkers. Just don’t expect something truly ‘unique’ or you may be let down.
Degenerate Discussion
This review is intentionally positioned to our fellow bourbon drinkers who need to get out of their own way and look for diversity in their whiskeys. Quit being as vanilla and buttoned up as Ben Shapiro talking about WAP. Look, nothing will replace the bold, complex flavors you experience from an exceptional bourbon, but you don’t want to find yourself in a position where you’re unwilling to try a decent scotch, it’s almost as irrational as picking a fight with WAP, which is undefeated and always finishes you. In closing, you need to consider purchasing Monkey Shoulder for the name alone. If the Kardashians, with absolutely no talent and fake assess, can build a cosmetics empire, acquire billions of dollars, and serve as top influencers in the global economy based on their name; the least you can do is purchase a $30 bottle of Monkey Shoulder.
Listings
You can find Monkey Shoulder on one Degenerate Top 10 list.