Kininvie Single Malt Whiskey
Kininvie Single Malt is another fantastic Speyside whiskey produced by the Kininvie Distillery in Dufftown, United Kingdom. This excellent 17-year-old single malt is used in the production of Monkey Shoulder whiskey and offers tastes of sweet malt, rich sherry, and candied fruit. Additional tastes of apples and creamy toffee are followed by a long and lingering finish. Kininvie Single Malt offers an Abv of 40%.
Blended From Whisky Of Company Owned Distilleries
For the Monkey Shoulder William Grant uses maltwhisky from three distilleries as it has been communicated for many years: Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie. But now we should look for peated malt what possibilities does William Grant & Sons offer? Once a year during the Peat Week Balvenie produces peated spirit that is sold as Balvenie Peat Week. Glenfiddich also produced smokywhisky, for the first time in 2003. Recently the peated Glenfiddich Fire& Cane was announced as part of the Experimental Series. But do the smoky amounts really come from Balvenie or Glenfiddich? Even though she couldnt find any official statement the author of this article thinks the peated whisky for the Smokey Monkey comes from Ailsa Bay.
Smokey Monkey: Peated Counterpart Of Monkey Shoulder
The blendedmalt of William Grant is also available in a smoky version
The Monkey Shoulder was released in 2005 and as a smooth and pleasant blendedmalt it is not only popular as a sipping malt but also often used in cocktails. Bartender asked for a peated version of the Monkey Shoulder according to Monkey Shoulders Global Brand Ambassador Joe Pech in the press release accompanying the launch of the Smokey Monkey. But this was already one year ago the Smokey Monkey has been on market since then but wasnt available in all European countries. Now the shy animal was seen in Germany.
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Monkey Shoulder: A Brand History
The blended malt whisky from William Grant & Sons made waves when it launched in 2005. Now it has become a stalwart of the cocktail scene.
*This feature was originally published in the July 2018 issue of The Spirits Business
Once upon a time, all of Scotlands malt whisky distilleries malted their own barley. The wet grain from the steep would be spread over a stone floor for a week to begin germination, and it had to be turned regularly to prevent the little rootlets from matting together. Malt men would march up and down flipping the grain over their shoulders with malt shovels, known as shiels. Some developed repetitive strain injury causing one arm to hang low like a monkeys.
In 2005, long after anyone had wielded a shiel in earnest, Monkey Shoulder was released as a hip new brand of Scotch from the house of William Grant & Sons. Its guiding light was about being the new face of Scotch whisky for a new generation of whisky drinkers, says the firms head of whisky, Jonny Cornthwaite, who insists it wasnt about plugging a gap in William Grants portfolio. The gap was really about people who drink whisky or, perhaps more to the point, who dont drink whisky, he says. Scotch in 2005 was a relatively stuffy category.
In other words, this is not really a brand about demographics or categories.
BRILLIANT IN COCKTAILS
2003 William Grants master blender, Brian Kinsman, begins work on a new blended malt
2005 Monkey Shoulder is released in the UK and France
Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
750 mL bottle | LCBO#: 414334
Medium amber forward sweet malt, vanilla, marmalade and crème brulee aromas, with notes of toasted nut, marzipan, butter, cream and light oak on the palate, light and fresh, approachably smooth and elegant followed by malty, creamy, toasted barley flavours and notes of fruit, nutmeg, clove oil, sweet nut and spicy oak.
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Additional William Grant And Sons Products
Below are three quality whiskeys produced by William Grant and Sons.
Glenfiddich Grand Reserve Single Malt Whiskey has patiently matured for 21 years, on-site at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, United Kingdom. Glenfiddich 21-year-old is an outstanding whiskey that offers bold rich notes, synonymous with traditional Speyside whiskey. Glenfiddich Grand Reserve delivers lovely tastes of vanilla, toffee, figs, floral, and fresh banana. Additional earthy tastes of freshly cut oak and new leather, are followed by a remarkably smooth and satisfying finish. This fantastic whiskey offers an Abv of 40%.
How To Drink Monkey Shoulder Whisky
Taken by itself, Monkey Shoulder is a smooth, delicious, complex kind of whisky that offers a little something different to everyone, depending on your palette and your personal tastes. Add a few drops of water, and youll find that you get much more of the citrus flavours coming through, so its a kind of a dilute to taste situation, which is always quite fun like having your own personal whisky.
Unlike some whiskies that are either for sipping neat or for use in a cocktail, Monkey Shoulder can quite happily do both. The makers actively encourage this latter idea, probably because it means that the drink will appeal to more people.
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Review: Monkey Shoulder Batch 27 Triple Malt
Monkey Shoulder is a vatted whisky that despite being a blend of three distillerys malts is so rare that shots on the west coast of the U.S. have typically sold for $20 a glass when entire bottles sell for under $30. I encountered a bottle of Monkey Shoulder on a recent trip to New York for all of $27 and snapped it up. (The name is a reference to a malady suffered by floor malters, who get sore shoulders by working their oversized barley shovels for hours on end.
The whisky has no age statement but is a blend of three Speyside whiskys: Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie, with 27 casks total selected for each bottling by malt master David Stewart.
86 proof.
A- / $27 / monkeyshoulder.com
Update: Brand Ambassador Freddy May clears up some of the info about Monkey Shoulders heritage and production in this email:
Batch 27 refers to the original Monkey Shoulder batch which was 27 casks vatted together. The original vatting was made from our three distilleries we have on our site in Dufftown Kininvie, Glenfiddich & The Balvenie .
Because Brian Kinsman cant possibly batch it in those numbers anymore we line up runs of 27 at a time for vatting. Occasionally using other distilleries in the mix, but always three Speyside distilleries and always in first fill American oak .
Whiskey Review: Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
If you drink whisky, chances are youve run across Monkey Shoulder before. I myself have fond memories of being at a friends wedding and smiling from ear to ear when the open bar had Monkey Shoulder as far as the eye could see . Today were going to take a closer look at this relative newcomer in the whisky world and what makes it so darn appealing.
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Things You Should Know About Monkey Shoulder
Launched in 2005 and created for maximum approachability, Monkey Shoulder is a blended Scotch thats a fan favorite. And in case you were wondering, no, its not meant for monkeys consumption .
The Scottish malt whisky brand doesnt take itself too seriously, and has been successful in bringing Scotch whisky to a younger generation of drinkers. Thirsty for more? Read on for 10 more facts you should know about Monkey Shoulder.
Not Enough Monkey Businessmonkey Shoulder Blended Malt Whisky
It’s been over a month since I last wrote a review, so I’m glad to be back at it. My KWM Whisky Advent Calendar just arrived, and in a couple of weeks I’m judging at the World Whiskies Awards for the
By @talexander about one year ago7380
This is an abbreviated version of an upcoming blog postBlended malt scotch whisky is an interesting case study. Blended malt, a mix of different single malt scotches, supposedly allows for greater fle
By @OdysseusUnbound3 years ago4677
I bought a bottle of this on recommendation. It is a blended malt whisky from 3 different Speyside distilleries. Those 3 distilleries do change apparently depending on what is available. Monkey Shoulder
By @casualtorture3 years ago0569
This is a nice blended scotch to get you in the mood for a nice whisky tasting session. It isn’t demanding, yet it is perfectly pleasant. NOSE: fruity with fresh sweet red apples being the dominant note
By @Georgy5 years ago0284
Vatting of three young Speysiders: Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie. This is a blended malt that has been marketted at cocktail bars to young hipsters with shallow pockets. This works well as a neat
By @Frost6 years ago0482
Fast fruit and malt loaded arrival develops a balanced fruit and grain middle followed by short fast herbal / vegetable finish.
By @PMessinger6 years ago0079
By @vrudy67 years ago0084
By @vrudy67 years ago0384
By @Victor7 years ago01077
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Johnnie Walker Gold Label Centenary 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whiskey
Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 Year Old is a gold medal award-winning whiskey, and one of those whiskeys that you must sample if you are given the opportunity. It is full-flavored and remarkably smooth, with lovely notes of juicy dark fruit and fresh vanilla. This luxurious 18-year-old blended whiskey offers exceptional levels of smoothness and an Abv of 40%.
Monkey Shoulder 700ml Blended Malt Whisky
A best selling whisky, the Monkey Shoulder Whisky is actually a mix of three different single malts Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kinninvie. The three malt components that form Monkey Shoulder blended malt scotch whiskys smooth, malty and fruit character is a closely guarded secret, featuring an undisclosed combination of different Speyside single malts.
The term Monkey Shoulder harks back to the whisky making heritage. Its a reference to a condition that maltmen, who worked at distilleries, sometimes endured after long shifts of manually turning the barley. The tough work working long shifts and turning the barley had a tendency to cause them to stoop and their arm to hang down. Just like a monkey!
This strain injury is a thing of the past as working conditions have changed, there are still distilleries malting barley by maltman manually. In todays times, the name Monkey Shoulder lives on as an affectionate tribute, to honour the hard graft of all the maltmen past and present. Cheers!
The Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky is a superb blended malt whisky by WIlliam Grant. He poured his entire life savings of £755 into the construction of Glenfiddich distillery in 1886. Five years later Balvenie was opened on the same site as Glenfiddich, and almost a century later they were joined by Kininvie in 1990.
On the nose, the aroma of marmalade, cocoa and malt with plenty of vanilla and some spice with a hint of aniseed wafts through the class.
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Reviews & Tasting Notes
*please note that the ABV of this bottle may varyOooops.
Flaviar Members get free shipping on qualifying orders.
Based on 1486 votes, the average rating for Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky is 7.4/10.
Top reviews for Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky:
& horbar Smooth, deceptively delicious.
& horbar This was my first scotch. Now I am a fan great flavors easy drinker.
& horbar Pairs perfectly with an old fashioned
Scroll down for all reviews.
Why people love it?
Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky which is carefully distilled at William Grant’s is adored for its orange zest, vanilla, spicy and floral flavor notes.
What Does Monkey Shoulder Whiskey Taste Like
Monkey Shoulder is a premium whiskey with a delicate and complex flavor profile. It is silky smooth, supple, and creamy, and with high levels of sweet malt goodness. It offers tastes of aniseed, spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla. These notes are balanced by flavors of butterscotch, toasted barley, and berry fruit. The finish is smooth and memorable.
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Old Parr Blended Scotch Whiskey
Old Parr Blended Scotch Whiskey is owned, distilled, and distributed by Diageo, United Kingdom. Old Parr Blended Scotch is matured for 15 years and is rich and full-bodied. It is slightly warm as it goes down with a hint of pepper. It delivers lovely tastes of malt, creamy toffee, and dried fruit. The finish is smooth, long, and lingering. Old Parr Blended Scotch Whiskey is pleasant, enjoyable, and offers an Abv of 43%.
The Whiskey Rocks Verdict
Is it good?
Monkey Shoulder Whisky, this blended malt that takes the very best of Scotlands heritage and turns it into something trendy and current, is a great dram. It has its own distinctive taste and smell, it can be used in a variety of different ways , and the price point is, when all is said and done, not only fair but generous. Youre getting a lot for your budget when you buy Monkey Shoulder, even if it does find itself in one of the most competitive areas of the market right slap-bang in the middle.
In other words, Monkey Shoulder is an excellent value, solid scotch whisky that can be used in many different ways and that is always going to go down well. What more could anyone ask for?
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No Monkeys Were Harmed In The Making Of This Whisky
Wondering where Monkey Shoulder gets its unique name? We were, too. According to Monkey Shoulder, the name is inspired by the traditional malt whisky distillation process in which malted barley was mixed by hand with shovels. This labor-intensive process often caused a shoulder injury to workers, causing their arms to hang low like those of a monkey. This injury was therefore dubbed monkey shoulder the inspiration for Monkey Shoulders name.
You Probably Know Its Siblings
As the saying goes, you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. Spirits are no different. Luckily, Monkey Shoulder has some well-respected friends. The Scotch brand is made by the same family thats behind some of the biggest names in liquor, William Grant & Sons. The parent company also makes Hendricks Gin, Glenfiddich Scotch, and Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey.
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Who Makes Monkey Shoulder Whisky
The Monkey Shoulder Whiskey is a brand of William Grant and Sons. The company was first started in 1886 by William Grant and his nine children by building the Glenfiddich distilleries.
However, it is only until the Christmas of 1887 that they became operational. The company is the pioneer to single malt whiskey with Glenfiddich as their first single malt brand. Ever since its inception, the whisky distiller has remained under family ownership throughout six generations.
Today, they produce more than five scotch whiskey brands and several rare whiskeys. From a once meek and humble Scottish base, the company is rapidly expanding around the world with distilleries and bottling facilities in the USA, UK, Ireland, Mexico, and India. Their success spans across 200 markets around the globe where they sell their drinks.
The company is one of the leading producers of scotch whisky, with about 8 percent of the market share. Every year, they ship close to 7.6 million cases of drinks around the world. Some of their popular brands include Glenfiddich, Grants, The Balvenie, Drambuie, and Monkey Shoulder.
How Is Monkey Shoulder Whiskey Made
Monkey Shoulder Whiskey is made by blending three different whiskies from the three William Grant Speyside distilleries: Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Kininvie. These whiskies – or others if need be, depending on how much Monkey Shoulder is to be made – are blended and matured for six months in small batches within first-fill ex-bourbon casks.
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Monkey Shoulder Review And Guide
- Post category:Scotch/Whiskey Varieties
Monkey Shoulder is a delightful whiskey produced by the world-famous William Grant and Sons. Premium Monkey Shoulder Whiskey is distilled from three Speyside Distilleries in Scotland. First Introduced in 2005, this young whiskey is rapidly growing in popularity and achieving numerous gold, silver, and bronze awards along the way. Monkey Shoulder whiskey is silky smooth, supple, and creamy. It offers lovely tastes of winter spice and vanilla. Additional flavors of berry fruit, toasted barley, and butterscotch balance this premium blend perfectly. The finish is smooth and memorable.
Where Is Monkey Shoulder Whisky Made
The Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt whiskey that is made in Scottish distilleries. The malt scotch whiskey derives its smooth, malty, and fruity characters from the three Speyside distilleries: Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie.
Brian Kinsman, the master blender, was trying to find certain flavor notes appealing to the many bourbon drinkers at that time. He then decided to use barrels with flavor notes of fruity oranges, malts, gingers, and some cinnamon notes.
Since then, the company has maintained its flavor profile to ensure that every whiskey batch tastes the same. Even after expanding to other countries, the company only uses Speyside barrels to blend the whiskey to ensure they hit the same notes.
After blending the whiskey into the smaller barrels, it is then married into a larger marrying tun that is continuously filled. The drink is bottled only after the master distiller is happy with the larger tun’s quality and consistency.
The time it takes for the drink to mature is a secret that only the master distiller knows.
During the blending process, the company does not use any other barrel type apart from Speyside distilleries. Speyside distilleries only use ex-bourbon casks that have a low amount of sulfur. As a result, it gives the scotch unique fruity notes and a lightness that is only recognizable in Speyside malts.
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