Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (43%)

In the wide world of Scottish whisky, most people are familiar with two categories: single malt and blended. The former, as its name suggests, is whisky distilled entirely from malted barley at one distillery, while the latter is the significantly larger segment in terms of volume and combines molt whisky with usually column-distilled grain whisky.

All too often overlooked is the relatively tiny but nonetheless significant category of blended malt whisky. These are whiskies made from 100% barley malt, but blended from two or more distilleries, much in the manner of ordinary blended whisky, but minus the grain component.

(Because ‘blended’ is sometimes viewed as a dirty word in certain circles of whisky appreciation, blended malts used to be referred to as vatted malts, until a certain global distilling giant pushed the envelope a bit too far and the Scotch Whisky Association stepped in with new naming rules.)

Like may others, I credit the previously independent Compass Box under the endlessly innovative John Glaser for popularizing the category, but these days perhaps the biggest name in the segment is the William Grant & Sons-owned Monkey Shoulder.

Named for the condition that used to vex maltsters in the days before mechanisation, when the repetitive strain of constantly turning over grain left them with one shoulder drooping lower than the other – “like a monkey’s shoulder’ it was said – this is a blend of three Speyside malts, hence the three monkeys which adorn the bottle.

Medium gold in colour, it has a full and rich aroma that will have you immediately thinking ‘single malt at an amazing price,’ especially considering what most Scottish malts are going for these days. Expect creamy notes of citrus, green apple, rose water, tropical fruit, and spicy vanilla on the nose, with an equally full and creamy body offering flavours of milk chocolate, sweet raisin, stone fruit, vanilla, and peppery spice. The finish stays fairly peppery with lingering oak and dark chocolate notes.

This is indeed a most impressive alternative to Scottish single malts for those who wish to economize without sacrifice. Although it is billed as being “made for mixing,” you could easily serve it blind to your single malt drinking friends and watch their amazement when you reveal its identity.

88 ($58 - $61) VALUE PICK