Monkey Shoulder is the bottle we reach for when someone at the bar wants a Scotch that plays as nicely in a cocktail as it does over a single cube. It is a blended malt Scotch whisky from William Grant & Sons, married from Speyside single malts, and it has earned a permanent spot on the shelf here in West Seattle because it is approachable without ever feeling dumbed down. Smooth, malty, and endlessly mixable, it is the kind of whisky that wins over both the curious newcomer and the longtime Scotch drinker.
About the Distillery
Monkey Shoulder comes from William Grant & Sons, the independent, family-owned Scotch house behind Glenfiddich and The Balvenie. The brand draws on Speyside malt whiskies from the company’s own distilleries, vatting them together in small batches and marrying the result before bottling. The name nods to an old malting injury: the maltmen who turned barley by hand for long shifts sometimes developed a stiff, drooping arm they called a “monkey shoulder.” The three brass monkeys on the bottle are a tip of the cap to that craft.
Region & Style
This is a Speyside blended malt, meaning it is made entirely from malted barley and contains no grain whisky. It is matured in ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 40% ABV. Because it is a marriage of malts rather than a single distillery’s output, it lands soft, rounded, and easygoing rather than bold or peaty, which is exactly why bartenders love it.
Tasting Notes
Expect a warm nose of vanilla, honey, and orchard fruit. The palate is malty and mellow, with butterscotch, dried fruit, and a touch of spiced oak. The finish is clean and gently sweet, with no smoke to speak of. It is a friendly, well-balanced pour from start to finish.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
Our pour is $13. Monkey Shoulder is happy neat or over a single large rock, but it truly shines in cocktails: a Whisky Sour, a Rusty Nail, or a simple highball with soda and a lemon twist. Ask your bartender and we will steer you toward the build that suits your mood.
FAQ
Is Monkey Shoulder a single malt? No. It is a blended malt Scotch, a marriage of several Speyside single malts with no grain whisky added.
Is it smoky? No. It is an unpeated Speyside style, so it leans malty, sweet, and smooth rather than smoky.
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