Monkey Shoulder - Blended Malt Scotch Whisky -- 750 mL

Wine Review

The Scotch Whisky Pivot: Moving from Single Malts to Blends

*Why my palate is finding new appreciation for the versatility of blended whiskies.*

~30

Dollars

3

Whiskies in blend

~1

Month lifespan

Table of Contents

• ①Exploring Blended Whiskies
• ②Tasting Notes
• ③Future Whisky Exploration

Section I

Exploring Blended Whiskies

After a disappointing experience with a bottle of Macallan 12-year-old, I’ve found myself moving away from the single malt obsession and hurtling back toward the nuance of blends. Previously, my exposure was limited to the standard Johnnie Walker Red or Black labels. I had considered the Green Label, but research revealed that the older, discontinued iteration was unique to four specific single malts—meaning that particular party had already ended before I arrived.

To broaden my collection, I settled on Monkey Shoulder, a blend composed of three distinct whiskies:

 

• →Glenfiddich — A distillery I was familiar with, though I was previously unimpressed until experiencing it in this blend.
• →Balvenie — A well-regarded component that brings depth to the mix.
• →Kinivie — A lesser-known component; all three whiskies are part of the same parent company and are marketed as a middle-tier bridge between the Glenfiddich and Balvenie profiles.

Section II

Tasting Notes

Monkey Shoulder presents on the sweeter side with a slight alcohol burn. It serves as an interesting point of comparison to my past experiences with Macallan; while it lacks the deep caramel notes and saccharine aroma of my old "candy syrup" favorites, it actually hits a similar profile more effectively than my most recent bottle of Macallan.

Monkey Shoulder is a welcome palate changer; while Johnnie Walker Black remains a favorite for its complexity, having both on hand prevents the boredom of sticking to a single profile.

Whisky	Profile	Notes
Monkey Shoulder	Sweet	Alcohol burn, candy-adjacent
Johnnie Walker Black	Complex	Smokier, peaty

Section III

Future Whisky Exploration

My growing appreciation for smokier, peatier profiles like Laphroaig explains why I find myself gravitating toward Johnnie Walker Black. Looking ahead, I am eager to try the Johnnie Walker Double Black. This experiment has reinforced the value available in the mid-range market.

Finding a solid bottle for around $30 is my current "sweet spot" for value, though I suspect this bottle of Monkey Shoulder won't last the full month.

There is significant value to be found in blends—keep experimenting until you find your perfect pour.