Monkey Shoulder Smokey Monkey

Monkey Shoulder is a blend of three Speyside distilleries, that are not 100% confirmed *Cough* Balvenie, Glenfiddich and Kininvie *Cough*. A great dram on its own, but as a bartender I use it as a base in a shed load of whisky based cocktails, so I’m hoping Smokey Monkey will have the same attributes. As well as adding an extra smokey layer to well know classics such as Rob Roy, Blood and Sand, Whisky Mac etc. As for the whiskies in the blend, they haven’t been 100% Confirmed *Cough* Balvenie, Glenfiddich and Ailsa Bay *Cough* from what I can gather anyway. I first tried this dram in March before its official release in August, at the time I wasn’t in any state to be writing tasting notes. But today I have got my hand on some more and I was not disappointed! Nose An initial light dusty medicinal peat, backed up by rich butterscotch, smokey brine with a hint of dried stone fruit. Palate Coating mouthfeel, with initial citrus notes followed by butterscotch, toffee and then follows up with light smokey peat towards the end. Finish A building finish, with the creamy butterscotch first then building into spicy citrus notes, the end dry and smokey. Verdict Well, I’m not disappointed, easy drinking, very accessible while still having a lot going on. The citrus notes complement the light coastal smoke perfectly. I think it will be perfect for first-time smokey whisky drinkers and as for cocktails I’m looking forward to trying it out, I’m pretty sure it is going to work perfectly.

Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt that ia good and cheap. I believe it goes for $30 in any travel duty free retail shop; and it is a blend made from Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Glenkinchie. The Smokey Monkey is the peaty spin-off of the "shoulder". Bottled at 40%abv. On the nose, it is nice. A burnt sawdust; fresh can of Tennis balls. Feels old. A field full of cows. Hay stack. Stinky but attractive peat. On the palate, it is also standard good. Hay, vanilla water. Very salty; tongue scorching for a 40%abv. Mineral and rocky. A second sip gave me vanilla ice cream and Coconut milk. Aftertaste is a barbecue. Lots of salt, is like an overly salted piece of meat. The last sip gave me burnt sawdust and Burnt grass. Overall, i believe this is a good whisky. I am completely sure this one is cheap, and it can be a great entry level for peaty whiskies. Some crazy notes are always good, and for the 40%abv i get a lot of complexity really. This won't change your life, but i won't ruin it either. My score for it is 82 over 100.

While I regularly enjoy the ‘regular’ Monkey Shoulder, I never had the opportunity to try and taste the smokier version of it. Being only released to bars and hotels (to be served basically in cocktails and mixers, but also on it’s own), it’s not very widespread available. Unofficially it’s a triple malt blend of The Balvenie, Glendfiddich and Aisla Bay, but that isn’t confirmed. I’ve been able to purchase a bottle now, and was pretty eager to sample it. On the nose I got some medicinal peaty notes, that come back on the palate, but it then quickly reveals some sweetness. Stone fruits, but also liquorice. Some breathing may remedy the initial medicinal taste, though. Then, on the aftertaste, I really enjoyed the soft, sweet, smokeyness. Knowing the original Monkey Shoulder, expectations were actually rather high for this one, but it didn’t disappoint. I rate it 3.25!

It's good Spey smoked whisky. It is not a whisky for peat whisky lovers, but it has a smoke flavour I can say. You can't compare this to Talisker10 or Bowmore12 simply because it is a Spey whisky. It is sweet and smoke is there, but this is still Spey whisky. If you love Peat/Smoke it means you are a person who love Island/Islay whiskies and this one is not for you. If you new to peat/smoke whisky it is better to try Ardmore or Jura10 first. Although this is a good whisky. (I'm not a fan of Smokey Monkey I think in UK you can find better whiskies for a same price). In general it is a good stuff which goes quite easly through your throat.

Not worth the price, its a mix of sweet & smoky and I disliked the taste, more of a medicine like flavour, However the original non smoky monkey shoulder is the best. If you are buying this to get smoky flavour like black label pls proceed with precaution, you may be disappointed.

Nose is smoke brine and peat with a the sweetness of cured meats Plalate is a lot of smoke and this is where it lets itself down as that’s all I can taste . Finish is medium and more smoke.