Monkey Shoulder: The Award-Winning Whisky with a Rebellious Streak

Redefining traditions for a new breed of whisky drinker.

In a world where whisky often carries an air of tradition, Monkey Shoulder emerges as the spirited disruptor. Crafted by William Grant & Sons, one of Scotland’s oldest and most respected distillers, this Speyside-born blended malt is rewriting the whisky rulebook. But what sets Monkey Shoulder apart from its more conventional counterparts, and how has it captured the attention of a younger, more adventurous audience?

A whisky for the new generation
Whisky has long been associated with an older demographic, a drink that is perceived as complex, serious, and best enjoyed neat. Monkey Shoulder turns everything you thought you knew about whisky on its head, positioning itself as a playful, accessible alternative to the more traditional brands. Targeting the 25-35 age bracket, this approach is deliberate, as Monkey Shoulder embraces vibrant branding, unconventional marketing such as the #MakeItMonkey tagline , and an emphasis on mixability that appeals to a new wave of whisky enthusiasts.

But it’s not just about creating trends - Monkey Shoulder has also found a growing fan base among more traditional whisky drinkers. And its William Grant pedigree is unassailable, with the whisky scooping up Best Scotch Blended Malt Whisky at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards and 7 Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition & The Scotch Whisky Masters.

A softer taste for a more versatile profile
Unlike many whiskies that pride themselves on deep smokiness or intense peat, Monkey Shoulder offers a more accessible flavour profile. The soft vanilla base is layered with zesty orange and subtle spice, making it smoother on the palate. This makes it particularly well-suited for casual drinkers who may find traditional whiskies too overpowering.

The blend also caters to the growing trend of longer drinks and whisky-based cocktails. While purists may insist that whisky should be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, Monkey Shoulder is designed to be enjoyed either neat, or with your mixers of choice. Its smooth character integrates seamlessly with syrups, liqueurs, and other spirits, making it a favourite among bartenders worldwide. This adaptability has helped it carve out a niche in the increasingly cocktail-driven spirits industry.

Monkey Shoulder’s uniqueness lies in its composition. While most blended whiskies mix malt and grain whiskies, Monkey Shoulder is a ‘triple malt’, combining Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie, three renowned Speyside single malts. This fusion results in a pleasing profile that strikes a balance between depth and drinkability. The name itself is a nod to whisky heritage, referencing maltmen who manually turned barley during the malting process. The repetitive motion often resulted in a particular posture, dubbed the ‘monkey shoulder’.

Made for mixologists
One of Monkey Shoulder’s biggest strengths is its appeal within the bartending community. Unlike traditional Scotch whiskies that can be challenging to mix, Monkey Shoulder is designed to accommodate cocktail mixing. Bartenders appreciate its versatility and the brand actively collaborates with mixologists through events, competitions, and training sessions, reinforcing its identity as the bartender's choice of whisky.

For those looking to experiment with Monkey Shoulder, there is no shortage of options. Whether sipped neat, enjoyed on the rocks, or stirred into a creative cocktail, its adaptable nature shines through. Looking to try something with an exciting flavour? One standout cocktail recipe that emerged from a recent Francis Busuttil & Sons (Marketing) Ltd. event is a blend of 1.5cl Monkey Shoulder, 0.5cl Amaro di Angostura, and 0.5cl Mandarin Napoleon -formulated by esteemed mixologist and close collaborator Aleksandar Zivadinovic. The citrusy, bittersweet concoction that showcases the whisky’s versatility went down a storm with guests, and it’s likely that you’ll be hearing a lot more about this cocktail.

All these elements combined have positioned Monkey Shoulder favourably at the helm of a shifting whisky landscape.As the global trend towards more accessible and mixable spirits continues to grow, the future looks bright for this game-changing whisky.


Monkey Shoulder’s official distributor in Malta is Francis Busuttil & Sons (Marketing) Ltd.