Monkey Shoulder incl. Tumbler

Profile: The Monkey Shoulder with Tumbler at a glance

• Gift Set: Includes an old-fashioned tumbler for stylish whisky enjoyment
• Blended Malt: A marriage of selected Speyside malt whiskies
• Traditional Producer: Produced by the family-owned company William Grant & Sons
• Historical Name: “Monkey Shoulder” recalls the old barley work on the kiln floors
• Limited Batch Size: Only 27 casks from three distilleries per batch

Portrait: What makes the Monkey Shoulder with Tumbler special

The Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky with Tumbler is a whisky whose very name shows that you don't always have to take everything so seriously in Scotland. While many whiskies advertise with venerable names, old castles, or mystical valleys, this one simply comes with a “Monkey Shoulder”. Sounds unusual at first – but actually has a rather interesting story. Behind the brand is the long-established family business William Grant & Sons, which also produces well-known single malts such as Glenfiddich and The Balvenie.
So you could say: The people behind Monkey Shoulder know exactly what they're doing – even if the name sounds like a very long night in the pub. Technically speaking, it's a so-called blended malt. This means that no grain whiskies are used; instead, only different malt whiskies are combined. For each batch, only 27 casks from three distilleries in the famous Speyside whisky region are blended together. A manageable number that shows they prefer careful blending to simply dumping everything into a huge tank.
And where does this unusual name come from? In the past, barley in Scottish distilleries was dried on traditional drying floors. This required regularly turning it with a shovel – a physically demanding job. Anyone who performed this task for too long risked developing a typical shoulder injury, jokingly called "Monkey Shoulder." Today, machines do the job, but the name remains as a humorous reminder of the hard manual labor of bygone days.
The gift packaging with a tumbler makes the whole thing even more convivial. After all, a good whisky deserves a suitable glass—especially one in the classic Old Fashioned style, which visually signals: This is a time for relaxed enjoyment.

In short: Monkey Shoulder is a whisky with history, humor, and a healthy dose of Scottish serenity. A touch of tradition, a dash of craftsmanship, and a name you're guaranteed not to forget anytime soon.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Monkey Shoulder tastes like

• Nose: On the nose, fruity aromas of ripe apricots and pears are revealed. These are joined by soft honey and fresh vanilla, while in the background, fine malt aromas and a hint of orange provide additional depth.
• Palate: On the palate, the whisky is soft and rounded. A pleasant fruitiness takes center stage, accompanied by a light sweetness. The notes of apricots and pears reappear, while a subtle spiciness unfolds.
• Finish: The finish is long and full-bodied. Vanilla becomes particularly noticeable, accompanied by a fine, spicy note of crushed white pepper, which elegantly rounds off the aftertaste.