Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Whisky

@Victor - a good review. I feel the same as you, the nose is what makes this dram and I find the finish to be way too short. I do find it doesn't stand up well if you drink it after a peated and/or high ABV expression.

Hey Victor, I'm a newbie here from Australia. The ABV is 40% here. What my question is... and I haven't tried the Monkey Shoulder yet... The only blend I will buy and enjoy is the JW black. At present the black is nearly $3 cheaper than the M.S. Which would you choose?

@Alby, welcome to Connosr. Between Johnnie Walker Black Label and Monkey Shoulder, I would buy and drink Johnnie Walker Black Label every time.

It sounds that you like your blends more strongly flavoured and peaty/smokey. Give Johnnie Walker Double Black a try if you get the chance. You might also like Islay Mist 8 yo. Others going that direction are Clan MacGregor and The Black Grouse.

A blended Scotch with a TOTALLY different flavour profile, but which I and many others love is The Bailie Nicol Jarvie. It is a citrus bomb at 40% abv. IT is very lively and refreshing. That is one you have in Australia which is not sold here in the US.

Was talking to a co-worker of mine about some blends; reminded myself of my bottle of Monkey Shoulder in my sock drawer (a topic from another thread)...

Anywho - just had to crack it open...Lovely stuff, and I must add another single malt to the list in which the Monkey Shoulder blend is superior to (mind you - just my humble opinion)...And that's the Arran 10 yr.

I pick malts to drink while smoking a cigar that aren't expensive...being muted by the strong flavors of the cigar, (I tend to smoke fuller bodied cigars) can still take me to a happy place. Monkey Shoulder is a good choice for this at @$30 a bottle. When not smoking, I go for something a bit more complex.

If you dropped the smoking completely, you'd taste more and live longer for more whisky opportunities.

@ Hat - I myself enjoy a nice cigar a few times a week (weather permitting - smoke outside)...I usually enjoy my maduro with a cold beer, or a nice cup of coffee...Personally I've found smoking, and whisky both competing for my palate's attention.

I tried the Monkey Shoulder after reading tasting notes like the one above. When I tried it I got...nothing. Nothing at all. Alcohol and nothing. Very strange.

Phil, that IS strange! Have you been doing something to burn out your taste buds?...and, is it just the Monkey Shoulder that gives you the "nothing" whisky taste? If so, maybe you were drinking a very old washed out sample. A new bottle of Monkey Shoulder should give you a lot of flavour.

@Phil73805 what are you doing before you dram?

I find Monkey Shoulder to be pleasant. I referred to my tasting notes and have got some interesting tastes.