Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt

Review #67 - Whisk(e)y #49 I have no idea how I am opening the bottle this late in the liquor tasting journey, given its staple position in the community. I have purchased on offer for 23 EUR / L. Chill-filtered - Yes Added Colour - Yes ABV - 40% Aspect - Golden colour with orange hue, quite oily and viscous in glass. Nose - Sweetness, malt, caramel, honey, vanilla, oak, oak spice, cinnamon, with a herbal, green hint, some orchard fruit. Full, well rounded. Palate - Creamy front-end, caramel, honey, vanilla, turns sharp-spiced on the mid-palate, with more spice, cinnamon, oak, apple. Finish - Medium, with less sweetness and more oak presence here, dry, woody. After-taste features prominent cinnamon and mild cocoa, which turn to a more herbal-celery root aroma. I do understand why it is so loved by everyone, although I admit I was suspicious at first. Interesting flavour evolution, quintessential ex-bourbon maturation. For anyone looking for the best whisk(e)y in a similar price-range, I am happy to recommend this (ex-bourbon expression), alongside Bushmills Black Bush 80/20 (darker, PX-sherry influence) and the Dewar's 12 (in-between).

The orange marmalade can't be unfelt after just a single sniff. There is much under it though - a solid amount of barley and honey. Leave it to breath and you can also feel sweet citrus zest. Even more - it is like you mommy mix of honey and lemon, which you drink to boost your immune system, but much better, as it is whisky and not something you are ought to consume... Lol. The most important part stays the taste and I dare to say it is a wonderful golden barley and sweet cinnamon cake. It continues with a hint of honey and ends dry with sugary lemon. For me it is very important for a good whisky to show different things and here these layers of tastes are clearly distinguishable and I absolutely love the amount of toasted barley here. Absolutely lovely blended malt and a top price-quality ratio. Would perfectly imagine it in different types of cocktails, but it is actually quite pleasent to drink it neat as well.

NEAT - // BATCH 27 // This whisky is like a vapor. Everything here comes and goes and quickly as you smell and taste it. Nonetheless… NOSE - Orange/Citrus, Ripe Bannana, Honey, and Vanilla PALATE - With the exception of the ripe bannana note, everything on the nose comes through on the palate but again, it’s very brief. This is also the first whisky that I’ve had that I can describe as “airy” on the palate. It’s just very watery despite the pleasant notes. FINISH - Essentially nonexistent. BUY? - I think this whisky serves the purpose of getting people into the flavor profile of scotch, whether it be blended or single malt. For that purpsose, this whisky is great. For connoisseurs and enthusiasts, you likely won’t replace this bottle and neither will I. BUY AGAIN? - No.

Frénésie Nocturne - date inconnue - lieu inconnu Belle robe dorée Nez d'alcool cheap moitié miel / moitié industriel Première bouche à l'image du nez. Pas de profondeur, pas de saveurs primaires, pas de coffre. Une forme de douceur. Un whisky du type "Japonnais version wish", un Chinois quoi ... Très peu d'intérêt Où sont les flamboiements des whisky écossais ??? Les envolées de violon au fond des verres de Borovička ??? Les flamboiements des coeurs Karamazov qui illuminent les nuits et les cris de Chiens Maigres en hommage à la Lune ??? Ici il n'en est rien ! L'âme stagne dans l'à peu près, le commun, le vulgaire. Qu'on nous amène des whiskys dignes de ce nom et qu'on festoie jusqu'au lendemain !!!

Monkey shoulder is a blend of single malt scotch, no grain in this one. It works incredibly well in cocktails and while the price is a touch higher than other blends, it also holds its own neat. I get apples and spice on the nose. The palate opens up with a touch of peat, but for the most part it is sweet and watery, with notes of chocolate. The finish is pretty short, with little burn and notes of grass and malt. It's not going to blow you away neat like some blends, but it does work well for an everyday dram and again holds up well in cocktails. The cost is a touch higher than others, so I tend to favor Famous Grouse over this in cocktails, but both work very well.

Monkey Shoulder Malt Blended Scotch is now made up of 90% young Kininvie from start to finish, with Glenfinnish and Balvenie in the background of the palate and finish respectively. The nose promises rich aromas of citrus, allspice, vanilla, and caramel. On the palate, it starts with a heated entry of allspice, cinnamon, caramel, and citrus. The finish is a blend of caramel, honey, oak, and allspice. In my opinion, the current version of Monkey Shoulder Malt Blended Scotch is too mild and overpriced for its quality, and I wouldn't choose to buy it again.