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Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Whisky

Emmanuelle without being dangerous

0 575

@RantavahtiReview by @Rantavahti

18th Feb 2013

0

Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Whisky
  • Nose
    21
  • Taste
    18
  • Finish
    17
  • Balance
    19
  • Overall
    75

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt mix of Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie, bottled by William Grant & Sons. The name comes from an temporary injury suffered by distillery malt men when turning the barley by hand. This was an all-around softy so that's why it reminds me of the Emmanuelle trilogy. The exception is that it's not a dangerous risk taker like Emmanuelle was. Monkey Shoulder is a nice and talented everyday whisky. If it was a hockey player, it probably would be Pat LaFontaine or in the football fields: Matthias Sammer (or some other mid 1990's German footballer).

Nose: Very sweet with floral notes. Some citrus and honey with oak.

Taste: Starts soft and gets softer with honey being the key factor. Vanilla with a soft touch of spice like cinnamon.

Finish: Sweet and soft.

Balance: Monkey Shoulder (Batch 27) keeps its balance very well. It doesn't offer any surprises either. Nice average whisky that doesn't leave you grinning or cheering.

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5 comments

@Rodstar
Rodstar commented

Hi Rantavahti, I am surprised by how positively you have rated this whisky. I was so unimpressed after three attempts to enjoy it that I poured the rest down the sink.

These are my tasting notes from the time:

Nose: Citrus, toffee, wet grass, honey Taste: Slightly sickly sweet toffee, vanilla, butterscotch, honey FInish: Bitter citric acid aftertaste that lets the whole experience down Balance: Muddled, a sense of three components malts neutralising one another out, leaving a bland and underwhelming impression

65/100

11 years ago 0

@Rantavahti
Rantavahti commented

For me this wasn't anything unique or worth trying for again but it wasn't bad either (though I hate Glenfiddich).

I've noticed that usually the ones that I hate, are the fruity ones with lots of kick in 'em. Last Saturday I had a big surprise with (generally liked) Mackmyra's first edition, which I hated. Here's the review: connosr.com/reviews/mackmyra/…

And another "fruity kick": connosr.com/reviews/…

11 years ago 0

@Rodstar
Rodstar commented

I feel the same as you about Glenfiddich. Although the 15 year old I had recently did not suffer the same fate with the sink! It was OK I guess, just nothing worth writing home about.

11 years ago 0

@vrudy6
vrudy6 commented

Wow! I agree with u about hating Glenfiddich. I am still tempted on buying me a bottle of Monkey Shoulder because of how inexpensive it is. Good review as always Rantavahti!!

10 years ago 0

@Rantavahti
Rantavahti commented

Thanks @vrudy6! Always nice to hear from other Glenfiddich haters. I'd advice you to try something else in the same price range but unfortunately I haven't got any good references with same kind of palate.

Sheep Dip has same kind of palate but I rate it lower: whiskyrant.com/2014/05/…

This one is a smoky blended malt but probably the best price compared to its quality, Smokey Joe: whiskyrant.com/2014/05/…

10 years ago 0