Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 4, 2026

Monkey Shoulder

Monkey Shoulder is a brand of Scotch whisky produced by William Grant & Sons in Scotland. Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt whisky, one of a small number of whiskies in this style. The unusual style was chosen to present an approachable Scotch appropriate for use in cocktails.

Last revised
Jun 4, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
247 w
Citations
5
Source
Monkey Shoulder
TypeScotch whisky
ManufacturerWilliam Grant & Sons
OriginScotland
Introduced2003
Alcohol by volume40%
WebsiteMonkey Shoulder

Monkey Shoulder is a brand of Scotch whisky produced by William Grant & Sons in Scotland. Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt whisky, one of a small number of whiskies in this style.1 The unusual style was chosen to present an approachable Scotch appropriate for use in cocktails.2

History

Monkey Shoulder was introduced in 2003 as a brand of blended malt whisky (formerly called "vatted malt whisky") primarily for mixing, occupying a middle ground between blended Scotch (which can contain grain whisky) and single malt whisky (which cannot).3 Originally a blend from the Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Kininvie distilleries, its current composition is not publicly known, although its constituent malt whiskies originate from the Speyside region.4

The name refers to a repetitive strain injury that distillery workers once commonly were afflicted with after long shifts of turning malt by hand.5

Range of products under the Monkey Shoulder brand source ↗

Whisky Blends

  • Monkey Shoulder Batch 27
  • Smokey Monkey Batch 9, a blend that includes Islay whiskies

Grain Spirit

References

References

  1. Bryson, Lew (21 October 2014). Tasting Whiskey. Storey Publishing. p. 182. ISBN 978-1612123011.
  2. Brown, Katie (26 February 2021). "10 Things You Should Know About Monkey Shoulder". VinePair.
  3. Difford, Simon. "The Monkey Shoulder story". Difford's Guide. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  4. "Monkey Shoulder profile". scotchwhisky.com. Whiskypedia. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  5. Difford, Simon. "What's in a name?". Difford's Guide. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
External links