Monkey Shoulder Re-Review (Best Entry Level Scotch Ever???)
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- It's been 3 years since we've reviewed this bottle. Has our pallets or ratings changed? Tune in to find out! Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Review #231
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I love hearing all of the different interpretations of nosing, tasting and finishing notes on this channel! You guys are crushing it by having several people give their opinions. Monkey Shoulder for me is like cinnamon apple oatmeal and butterscotch on the nose and vanilla, slight caramel (mostly in mouth feel) and honey that falls off quickly. Over all- 9/10 for the price. Thanks for the hard work!!
My local store had Monkey Shoulder on a lower shelf, and based on reviews I picked it up. $55 in Canada. It is a fine competitor for some that cost nearly double that. Thanks for introducing it to me!
I’m tasting a glass right now and for some reason I’m getting a lot of walnut on the nose. Definitely some sweet malt. Orchard fruit. Water definitely enhanced the nose as well as the palate. Palate for me was spicy. Can’t put my finger on it. Maybe clove? Definitely citrus fruit. My first taste of monkey shoulder. Love it.
I’ve got all types of scotch and whiskey from all over the world and cannot agree with these guys more. This bottle delivers every time. I don’t have to be in the mood for it, my pallet can be on point, or totally off and this scotch brings big flavor every time. The Apple and fresh linen nose described in this review are exactly what I pick up too, then that sweet malt comes in on the pallet with a potent spice finish that makes this pour a little more complex than what’s described in the cidro (IMO). Blind it against any non-peated scotch and see what happens. The flavor-volume-per-dollar is totally off the charts.
Hell, it’s so cheap, just pour a couple ounces in an old fashioned glass and use it as an air freshener. Your room will smell like juicy apples in ten minutes. Ha! Anyway, awesome review guys!
Monkey shoulder was my 1st alcoholic drink at 33 lol. I'm still 33
Lol that’s my favorite #33 🥃💪🏼😂
You just leave Mormonism?
Are you still 33?
Gotta be nearing 34 by now
and now you’re 34
monkey shoulder really did help me start into whiskey, it was great.
now I'm exploring sherried scotches and probably have been all over the highlands in a short time.
Thanks guys. A respectable review. It's not all that complex, but it doesn't do anything wrong. At the price point, it's good.
I bought a bottle today based on so many good reviews. OMG, the vanilla notes are amazing. It is almost like an orange vanilla creamsicle, but in a good way.
Love Monkey Shoulder. Here's another single malt blend to give a try..Naked Grouse. Same price point, 43% ABV..Its my dram 3-? on a night of imbibing.
The Naked Grouse is an excellent blend on par with Monkey Shoulder
Monkey Shoulder is great, but I slightly prefer The Naked Grouse.
I agree man, this is my go to scotch. Fantastic for the price and complexity. The fact that it doesn't have any grain alcohol in it is a huge plus. And the blend is perfect, way better than JW black, to say nothing of that crap Red.
This one, together with a Johnnie Walker Green Label, is definitely on the list for my next buy. I'm taking my first steps of losing myself in the scottish matrix with a Johnnie Walker Black Label and a Glenfiddich 12. Mostly instigated by your great, brotherhoody slash friendshippy reviews guys. Great work!
I find this to be a pleasant drink. It may be a great bartender's mixer but on its own it has its own characteristic to stand as a "just pour". Wont start comparing it to others in the price range. Its complex enough to own it's own profile and that's respected and enjoyed.
It's all subjective and personal, whether it's the taste of scotch, paint color of your house or how one dresses. That's the beauty of this and all your reviews. You all have your own personal standard that is well explained and we can glean from it what we will. I enjoy MS and find it a great value. It's a good gateway scotch to test the waters before diving into single malts. Great job guys! Slainte y'all! 😉🥃
I can't tell the difference between a $100 a bottle single malt and a $1,000 a bottle single malt, but I can say that Monkey Shoulder is a very drinkable whiskey for non-connoisseurs. It does not have the 'lighter fluid' taste of most whiskeys. My review of it after first tasting it was "This is dangerously smooth." As a non-whiskey drinker, I do buy this as my preferred whiskey. And it is a great mixer as well. I am a real heathen, it goes well with Sarsaparilla.
Monkey Shoulder is the best bang for the buck whiskey around. There is always a bottle on my shelf. If you find it a little astringent then pour a dram and add a teaspoon of Chivas Regal. Perfect home blending.
Great comment!
WOW! I went and looked and last time you guys all gave it a 2.5. These scores are blowing my mind! But honestly, this is an interesting re-review, because I think it speaks to what a lot of folks encounter on their whisky journey - since the last time you reviewed MS, you guys have tried so many amazing whiskies, that I think maybe your experience has given you an appreciation for the quality they put into this blended malt at that price point. I'll have to try it again soon - I haven't had a bottle in a long time, since I found I could get some single malts for a comparable price (e.g., Tomatin 12).
Also -you've always factored in price into your scores - and I think that's fair. Some people will disagree, and that's totally fair too. But I think this review drives home that there are really different categories for some of your reviews - this gets a 3.5 or 4 for the being so great in the value for your money in a starter whisky category. And I can get behind that. Because you guys have given a lot of really great whiskies 3 or 3.5. And I really don't think you'd argue that Monkey Shoulder is better than or equal to say Glendronach Allardice for example (3 of the 4 of you rated MS higher here in this re-review than you did Allardice back in that review - Mark rated them both 3.5).
@@sundayeveningscotch4978 ‘
I've always had an orange creme to creme brulee lingering finish for me. Fantastic for the price.
Literally opening a bottle of this up tonight. I’m excited now!
good thing i bought it then. Heard some reviews from a while back. I was as you say standing at the liquor store, funny thing is i only watched this vid after i drank it. So to hear your rave reviews is reassuring
I just started drinking this and I get a buttery pancake flavor😳
No matter, it’s good
Still a go to for me! And now they have it in 1.75 handle for $49!!!! Cheers!!!
3.625 is a very reasonable assessment. Good stuff.
First scotch I bought! Really good, catching up on your reviews and enjoying them as well!
I bought a bottle of Monkey and unless it was a inferior bottle I found it to be pretty bland. For the buck My favorite $30 and under are Tomatin12 and Dulchas. Islay Mist[$20] Speyburn 10, and Oban little Bay.
Here, In Canada, Monkey Shoulder "Batch 27: The Original" bottling" goes for $53 CDN, which up here is in the super-premium alcohol category. (Glenmorangie is $70 CDN, now. When I was last in Scottsdale, AZ. in 2019 on a business trip I scored the same Glenmorangie for $32 USD and nearly wept.). Our typical 26 oz bottles of domestic/ blended run $28-32 CDN ++ . Johnnie Walker Red is $33, Black is $58 CDN. Chivas is $56. I always smile when you say about it being an inexpensive liquor for bars to offer , up here, they'd charge you $15 + for a drink made with a super-premium booze. Definitely not " Entry-level" by price ( up here, anyways).
On behalf of canadians everywhere, what the heck are you talking about??? You seemed to be confused about what a super premium scotch is. Nothing you have listed the price of is premium in any way, shape or form! Monkey shoulder is absolutely a good quality entry level. Unless you go in the direction of johnnie red, $53 is dirt cheap for a good scotch in canada. All the premium stuff is over $100, and all the super premium is over $200.
@@chrismuldoon2816 Damn Canada is expensive.
I just bought my 1st bottle of Monkey Shoulder today for $36.71 & I just love it!
On the plus side for you guys it's still a blend, so it's not going to be subject to the tariffs. Yet, at least. It's around £28 here, for that it's in the same ballpark as Glengoyne 10 or even 12 (on offer), HP12, Glenfiddich 12, Tomatin Legacy, so it's not one I'd be in a hurry to pick up over those.
One of the best value for money blended malts around. I love it, fuck it I'm gonna pour one now
I HAD a bottle of Monkey Shoulder and drank it on ice. It was not bad at all for the price and I would buy it again!
@scotch4dummies, I am appreciating and enjoying the re-reviews. I'm surprised that you've not reviewed the standard Laphroaig 10yo.
The re-review videos are great! Keen to see how you guys would rate Johnnie Walker black
That is on our list!
@@Scotch4Dummies I just started to appreciate Johnnie Walker Black Label again. I still can't drink it straight up. It's a relaxing mid-week drink with club soda over ice.
I'm interested how you would compare JW Black vs Monkey Shoulder.
Love the Monkey Shoulder...& if it wasn't for you 4...I wouldn't have never heard of it. My friends look at me crazy when I tell then what I'm drinking...cause the name is funny to them 😅😅😅
But I love the intro...I think your guy's found your intro for every video...love the small talk leading into the music! Brilliant!
That all sounds perfect.
- Shawn
"I smell medium brown toast" - Andrew's coin for 2020 ;-)
Spot on with Monkey Shoulder, guys. This whisky has no right to be as good as it is for price (less than $30 in my area). My liquor store now carries 1.75 liter bottles. I asked about the Smokey Monkey and was told it’s only sold to bars.
It is only sold to bars in the UK to my knowledge. The smoky part is Balvenie Peat Week so limited supply.
- Shawn
Monkey Shoulder is playing a part in budget series. We both love it, and can't wait to see where it ranks! Solid review fellas!
Let's be honest, this is not a cheap whiskey anymore.
I live in Chicago and just got one from a chain grocery store for $28.
@@jacksaliba5849 almost $60 in Canada
It's like $30-35 in the US. That's pretty cheap
It's cheap for scotch, not whisky tho
20€ in Germany.
Nice review gents, it's a surprisingly good dram isn't it! Have you guys tried the copper dog, another blend at roughly the same price done by the Craigellachie Hotel? Its pretty darn good nice speyside blend.
Monkey Shoulder and Naked Grouse/Malt are two must haves for me.
When you take into account the value of Monkey Shoulder on top of what it has got going on, it really is a classic entry into Scotch.
Pretty good stuff and very reasonable. I have about half a bottle left.
I’ll start with, I love monkey shoulder too. . But I would challenge you to put this in a lineup, and do it blind… I question whether you would come up with a 3.5 or 4.0 based on his lack of complexity and lack of finish ;)
But you guys are right, for the money, it is a great value… And very good, but not outstanding scotch.
Also, I thought it was 40ABV, maybe another factor to keep it away from the 3.5-4.0 rating ;)
2,5 would be more likely.
The Glenfiddich 12 is probs the best entry to single malts
Dryer sheets Guy has the best palate. He was spot on. Good review. Enjoying my bottle at the moment.
Monkey Shoulder with Egg Nog around the holidays is excellent, also Monkey Shoulder in a Whisky Sour is pretty awesome. Neat is nice too...
I had this when I was an absolute Newby, and had no clue about tasting. Don't remember much tbh. But on Ontario, the deanston VO is cheaper, and a couple of tomatins are similarly priced. Cheers guys
The whole blended single malts is nice. I enjoyed it very much
Monkey Shoulder is not just a entry level scotch. It is just a good everyday drinking scotch. I like to keep it on my bar. Very good with a cigar.
Hi Guys, Good day from New Zealand! I always enjoy your reviews and with this Monkey Shoulder as it is one of my fave until now. I find the new bottles circulating in NZ late last year (4th Qtr of 2020) was a bit inconsistent with the MS I used to know. It tasted diluted a bit and less Malty. This is my palate's opinion which differs from each individual. With regards to Single Malt reviews, what was the most expensive bottle you guys have tasted and reviewed so far? Please let me know, thanks. Anyways, again, keep up the reviews and fun videos!
Monkey Shoulder was the first Scotch I bought.
thelinuxcat Same
Mixing MS would be a travesty. Get the big bottle, great stuff!
I need to find the Smokey monkey.. love this Scotch.
I'm fairly new to Scotch (2 months or so) and just picked up a bottle of Monkey Shoulder today. It is definitely drinkable, but overall I'm not amazed. But I've been drinking Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban (that and the Lasanta are all I've had), so my tastebuds may be spoiled.
Have to say I don’t love it,I bought this as my first scotch and also had a bottle of Cardhu 12 that I’ve had for ever but never tried,I would have to say the Cardhu is more drinkable and is only 12$ more in cost. I also had a mini bottle of Deanston 12 that I found to be better than the other two !
It costs a bit more in the UK but try Timorous Beastie ( blended malt by Dalmore, Glengoyne and Glen Gerioch at 46.8 % )
I just bought this based off some recommendations for a first scotch. I’ve had some whiskeys and bourbons over the years but this is the first time I’ve really wanted to get into the weeds with them. I poured some and was able to smell what I thought was caramel sweet. The first taste give me the same but with some kind of pepper on the end of the tongue. My question for you guys or anyone else is it hits the stomach hard. It’s hard to describe it. What’s going on there?
Haven't tried the Monkey Shoulder yet so can't comment on it. I think Glenmorangie 10 is great at $29 locally. Also Alexander Murray's Glen Moray 13yr Cask Strength is a steal $35 @ Trader Joe's. As a big fan of the Balvenie 2003 Peat Week I would love to try the Smokey Monkey! Cheers!
How does compare to Johnnie Walker black ? Less heat , smokier?
I remember getting this a year ago after Balvenie DoubleWood, and it felt like a redundant purchase to me. I'd rather get another bottle of this, though, but that's mostly because of Balvenie's price point, chill-filtering, colouring and 40% ABV (I'm going to a Balvenie tasting in March so I won't have to buy their full bottles for the foreseeable future) Monkey Shoulder does all that, too, but at a much better price!
It reminds me of Swing in some ways. Quite like it
I remembered when I first sips a single malt whiskey and I like is so much, I have decided to drink only single malt whiskey. After few years hard working, I finally have some spare time to purchase some to enjoy.
So I bought some whiskey to start, but I couldn’t remember which one. So I had Talvulium and Banahaban, I don’t like either one of them. I wish to find the sweet nectar again, any suggestions? Thanks
Finlaggen is probably a better pickup if you like a bit of smoke and still sweet.
Got introduced to MS by my former boss. Thanks Paul =)
I don't have any of this and rarely do because I drink it too fast
I have been exploring with Monkey Shoulders... I have added a few drops of Oloroso Sherry to it and that is good. I have added a few drops of Pedro Ximenez Sherry to it also... that is great. I would love to find a bottle of the Smokey Monkey to see how that is. I am just experimenting to see if I can find those flavors in other Scotches also.
Hmmm... I bought a bottle of MS when it hit the market. The first half was ok but I really struggled with the other half because it became very boring imo.
I also wonder what your score would have been if the price was 80$?
As a comparison, that is my opinion of JW Black. It's not meant to be drank neat or over ice. It should be enjoyed with club soda, ginger Ale, or whatever else you like for a "bland" and relaxing mixed drink.
Monkey shoulder is far superior it has glenfiddich balvenie kininvi in it easily the best value scotch at entry level it's 14.99 in my local
Local shop in Bangor northern Ireland
Just add some balvenie peat week it will be the closet thing to smokey shoulder
i can get this for $32 by me, or i can get aberlour 12 for $40, glencadam 10 for $40, or deanston 12 for $50. i typically prefer bourbon cask scotch, with the vanilla/honey thing. which would you recommend?
For the same price at my place, I would rather recommend Aberlour 12
I agree but where I live Monkey is 28 and Aberlour 12 is 45
@@greglewis9895 Nice price on the Aberlour. It's 65 here.
It’s crazy how prices vary even in the same state in the US.
@@greglewis9895 It really is... and factoring price heavily into a review is a bit of a pet peeve of mine because of it. (Trying to find the nicest way possible to gripe about that given I'm fond of our hosts... =) )
@Jason Coates I agree. Considering price would make it hard to give a $1000 bottle a 4.
I agree with the stepping stone aspect of MS but it was a one and done for me. Nowadays I'll add $10 to that $30 and get something I enjoy more, Glenmorangie 10, Glenfiddich 12, Aberfeldy 12, almost always on sale somewhere under $40. The MS spice comes from the age I believe and feels underdeveloped IMHO.
$30-35, I've gotten Tomatin 12 and Loch Lomond 12.
I'd personally grab a Deanston Virgin Oak or a 1.75 of Teacher's for $25.
In Australia this is a 40% ABV vs the 43% you guys obviously get there in the US,
And $70 AUD
My favourite whiskey. Easily became my daily drinker.
It's horrible. I threw mine out. Bought it just to see what the hype was. I can get a glendronach 12 for only a few bugs more. And its soooooo much better.
Wow! Where are you located? Around here MS ($28) is less than half the cost of Glendronach 12 ($60). No doubt Glendro 12 blows MS away. The only single malt comparable in price that I can find is Tomatin 12.
@@sundayeveningscotch4978 Denmark. But I have a friend in Germany that distribute whisky. And they often have the glendronach 12 on sale for 35usd.
Wouldn't it have made more sense to offer it to some friends to see if they like it, rather than throw it out? It's what I do with whiskies I don't like. Seems silly to waste them when someone else might enjoy it.
@Jason Voorheese You say that like it's a bad thing.
Glendronach 12 @ Costco $36.99 NorCal right now.
Man, Monkey Shoulder is a testament to diversity of the human palette, Ive heard many other people talk about how good it is and I really kinda hate it. I got an overwhelming smell and taste of cheap Pinot Grigio, reminded me of Tomatin Dualchas, but not quite as strong. There are half a dozen CHEAPER blends I prefer to this.
Interesting, but as we always say... "you" are never wrong in your perceptions of whisky! Good news is, ya got lots of options. Appreciate the comment.
I’ve never tried Monkey Shoulder but knowing other whisky’s, I’d say the spice or cinnamon comes from the Balvenie.
Unfortunately it’s getting close to 60 hear in Canada. I can usually get any of the 3 single malts in it less than that.
Its about on a par with Johnnie Walker Black. Nothing special. Where I live (Manila) you can get Dewars Japanese smooth for about half the price. In my opinion the Dewars is better.
Come on Drew. 4 for this and a 3 for Bunnahabhain 18? Bunna 18 should have been WOTY. Value is important but not the end all.
I’m completely new to whisky but I found this to be a lot less flavourful than a standalone single malt 12 year like balvenie but the nose was alot stronger
Guy in hat: 'I am getting dryer sheets on the palate. Like fabric softener.'
Guy in back: 'Is that bad or good?'
Guy with hat: 'Its good!'
Me to wife: 'Honey...give me a shot of Downy Fabric Softener from the laundry room!'
Guys, I would be curious about a blind taste test with this and say Arran Robert Burns, Deanston Virgin Oak, Aberlour 12, Loch Lomond 12 and maybe a few others.
I was going to set up something for the guys on the live show.
- Shawn
I'll go out on a limb here and say that Loch Lomond 12 is going to be nearly unbeatable against its peers. =)
Nice, that would be entertaining. Actually, Aberlour 12 is $62 here in PA but in New Jersey I can get it for $40. Loch Lomond 12 is $35. Glen Moray 12 is $38. Tomatin 12 is $35 and Monkey Shoulders I can get for $37.
It's only 40% in the UK, and more expensive. £28 ($38.50)
You guys get everything cheaper over there!
My fav scotch at the moment
Naked Malt gives you a even more quality for a blended malt at maybe $1-$2 more.
Haven't liked my first couple of sips of this at all, but I'm new to whisky in general.
For the price don't be afraid to try some cubes or water! It's solid for the $$
@@Scotch4Dummies Thanks.
I got some miniatures yesterday. I don't much like them either.
I think to me, its better than the higher priced scotch because I do not care for the peat or smoke taste personally.
So here's the thing. I am trying to get into whiskey or something to drink neat or on the rocks. My options not vast, so southern comfort to sweet almost, jim beam to alcoholly, like you take a sip and it wants to take your breathe away. I am looking for a in between, is this a good option?
Try the Arran 10.
Guys, I am very sorry to hear that you promote Monkey Shoulder. I recommend to your viewers Talisker 10 yo and Benromach 10 yo. These whisky's should be avoided if you like them sweet. You could try Tomatin Legacy (Dualchas) in that case. It is cheap malt whisky in Europe.
HELLO !!! guys i agree on everything i have drink also the smoked monkey shoulder and they are amazing compared to other more expensive smokes for the money just fine !!! (say hallo !!! to my unknown friend konstantinos tsitseklis ) VOLOS-GREECE !!!
Hi folks, that big bottle is actually 4.5ltrs (1 gallon!)..... Glad you picked up on the Apple & Rob Roy!
We have an even newer liquid launching in JULY this year!
:)
At its price, no other scotch compares. And I generally don’t like blended scotch. It has the complexity and smoothness of a good single malt.
This bottle was unmemorable to me. Thin, not complex at all, bland. There's no way I would put any whisky into a mixer that was already so thin to begin with because it will just get lost in the mix. For the money, I'd rather get a Glenmorangie 10 year to give someone as an entry level to scotch.
Glenmorangie 10 costs 50$ so.. there is that..
I would not factor price into a score - base it just on tasting.
Do you guys review Indian Scotch es?
To those that did not give it a 4/4 I would love to know what your choice for the 4/4 would be at this price point? Come on lads get drinking and testing and let us know…
Good stuff.
Weird rating system you guys have gone to. I guess you have to change things up. For me you're using just too many qualifiers. What's next, the bottle shape?
I got money shoulder to try and I don't like it, I'm not really into alcohols but the taste I don't like I'd refer to as... slightly cigarette tasting which is strange but that's the best I can describe it as with my limited experience.
Money shoulder.... nice!!!!
With a few drops of water it almost gives the same pallet as the Hibiki for $90.