Up next for a Whiskey Write Up, I've gone for what I feel is a very underestimated whisky, Monkey Shoulder
This Blended Malt from William Grants is a great little drop of Whiskey, for many reasons. ⠀
This is a blend of Speyside Single Malts from the Balvenie, Glenfiddich & Kininvie Distilleries, making it a unique Whisky with high quality potential. When it was released, Monkey Shoulder marketed this as a Cocktail whisky, and that is it's main focus.. to be used in cocktails.⠀
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For one, it really does go well in Cocktails (some excellent cocktail recipes on MonkeyShoulder.com) Single Malt Whisky in cocktails is actually a preference of mine, the flavour profile that can be drawn out from a Single Malt really accentuates when paired with the right ingredients. But, with the blend of Single Malts being of such good quality, this is actually a very nice sipping whiskey too. It has a great smooth quality, with a berry fruit sweetness and a touch of Butterscotch. Quite creamy mouthfeel and a light, oaky spiciness on the finish.
Named after a strain injury which some Malt Men would develop from the traditional Malt Whiskey making process, where malted barley was turned by hand by malt men, using large heavy malt shovels. This had a tendency to cause their arm to hang down a bit like a monkey's, so they nicknamed it 'monkey shoulder'.
This excels in cocktails for sure, (an excellent choice in an old fashioned!) but makes a fine companion to any whisky drinkers glass.. especially with better weather fast approaching! Decent price point at around €45
You can find this whiskey, and all your whiskey needs, at our good friends James J Foxes via JamesFox.ie
ABV 40% | 70cl
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Zesty orange meets mellow vanilla, honey and spiced oak.
Palate: Mellow vanilla with spicy hints.
Finish: Super smooth, oak spice.
For more information on this whiskey, visit MonkeyShoulder.com.
Slán go fóill,