Monkey Shoulder was my gateway into Scotch. I was looking for an accessible point to start years ago and saw it recommended over and over on this and other channels. It did not disappoint. Haven’t and the “new” scaled up blend and I think I’m more scared of ruining the fond memory I have of it.
I'm at a "one bottle of any Redbreast and one bottle of any Aberlour in the cabinet" phase as having found my favorite flavor profile s, but this gets me back to wanting to explore more interesting stuff beyond my favorites. Cheers, all!
Glengoyne distills their single malt in the Highland region, but age it across the street which is technically in the Lowland region as the A81 is the boundary between the two regions. Two different regions for production even though it is on the same property.
I imagine that the smoke in this whisky comes from Ailsa Bay which is the malt distillery co-located at the Girvan grain complex and is also owned by Grant & Sons.
Interesting, any other labels that their smokey juice goes into? I am a fiend for smoked whisky, but everything import in Ohio tends to be $60-100 which is outside of daily sipper for me. Side note, still looking for an affordable smoked bourbon, too... which basically seems to not exist.
As a big fan of the original I've been wanting to try this for awhile but just haven't found a way yet. Sad to hear the quality dipped when they scaled up.
Actually just picked up my first bottle of batch 27... should be an interesting experience only other neat whiskey I've had was Ezra Brooks.. can't wait!
Of course temperature is what influences aging. The local air and humidity won’t react with the whisk(e)y much unless they leave the top off the barrel during aging (in which case the contents would probably evaporate, anyway).
Monkey Shoulder would be crazy to not release something like an Origins version on a limited release basis that's their original blend and just do that once a year...you know damned well it will sell out, and it will likely have a few secondary sales of their current version of people wanting to A-B compare the two...
After doing some research and watching a ton of your videos, since veryone says that it's a safe bet I've decided to buy a bottle of monkey shoulder, not the smoky one but the original. Sadly I have to say that after try it I felt NOTHING!!!... after having heard everyone talk about aromas and flavors, maybe my expectations were too high... I don't know man, I'm a rookie, I must be doing something wrong. I'll try to find the smoky monkey to see if I find some more flavor there. love yor videos guys!
I like to say that Monkey Shoulder is a bourbon drinkers gateway into scotch. I’ve used it many times to introduce friends to the wonderful world of single malts.
Wasn't for me I'm a bourbon guy but I like a good Scotch but I heard good things about monkey shoulders so I saw it on sale picked up a bottle and I'll never buy another bottle. Just don't like the taste.
I had Monkey Shoulder a couple times about 10 years ago and enjoyed it, but haven't tried it since. I think my brother still has a bottle that's several years old - I'm guessing he's had it for ~5 years, maybe even longer. I gave him a bottle a long time ago, so if he never opened it (which is very possible) then it's definitely the OG version. He has a ridiculous collection of a couple hundred bottles of bourbon and scotch. When did they change the blend? I'll have to pick up the Smokey Monkey if I see it for close to MSRP.
All right, gang! Now we get to see how many combinations of Smokey, Johnnie, Green, Walker and Monkey we can come up with and decide if it's the title of a new Clutch album or a new team on Legends of the Hidden Temple.
I would have thought the smoky malts would have came from Alisa Bay distillery is the lowlands which grants own and is known for the sweet and Smokey notes
I'd like to get into peated scotch some (I can enjoy lightly peated whiskey already) but I do NOT like the bandaid taste. any suggestions for peated scotch that dont taste like this, or is it just that what some experience as smoke I experience as bandaids?
If you can, try Port Charlotte. I find it to be less medicinal than most of the other peated whiskies. (Laphroaig, Sprinkbank etc) Peated Balcones is quite interesting as well.
Re ageing Scotch - the whole of the UK is by the seaside: we have a maritime climate with south-westerlies rolling in on a regular basis. The furthest point away from the sea is Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire...at a mere 70m miles. Diageo's Blackrange warehousing in Alloa are but a short distance to the East coast. Note the South and extreme SE of England are the hottest and driest but no "Scotch" there...
Well now I'm wondering which Monkey I had. I remember watching your video and trying it and not liking it at all. Which saddened me. It just had funky musky notes I couldn't get past. But was it the original blend or the new?
Hello guys. 😊 Thank you for lots of entertaining and educating videos. 🎉 Have you guys lost some weight? 😮 It's good to see you feeling well and In good shape. 😊 Good guys!! Lost of cheer!
Hey guys, I know you say that commenting doesn't work for suggesting a whiskey but you should do Johnnie Walker King George v. If you can get your hands on a bottle
Has anyone tried or heard of Sisterdale Bourban?? I saw it at my local liquor store and can’t find any reviews on it online. I want to try it because it says they are based in Texas but it was like $70, and I don’t want to pay that price for something I might not like.
Monkey shoulder is ass now. I bought a new bottle and it doesnt compare to the old bottles. I still have half a bottle Ive had for a few years and I was gonna bring it on a trip but forgot to grab it. So I just bought a new one when I got there. I wouldn't buy another bottle for $10. It was almost nasty. Such a shame for a good cheap bottle to fall.
as much as I love the original Monkey Shoulder and always have a bottle of it, the Smokey one was a total disappointment. The smoke has an artificial sense to it and fades away just after 10-15 minutes. If you like smoky whisky then don't look for "imitations", just go for Isla and enjoy your moment.
I didn't like this one. But I have to admit I am a whiskey guy and I am first and foremost bourbon and American whiskey but I love Irish whiskey Japanese whiskey but the Scotch whiskeys I haven't explored them as much so there's been some that get good reviews and I don't like them some that get rape reviews and I've like those but there's been some that people are said Oh that's not that good but I enjoy it so scotches are a little weird with me.
Monkey shoulder taste like grants, i want to compare MS smokey vs Grant's Triple Wood. Grant's scotch is very a under-appreciated, especially the sherry cask only 50 CAD at most liquor stores in Canada which is pretty good Jameson, Jack everything "cheap" is $40. Jonnie Walker and Evan Williams are the only things under $40
![Monkey Shoulder FLAVO[U]R DRIFT Comparison](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UrKzz4e6DQw/mqdefault.jpg)
I really enjoy that you guys went back to reviewing bottles we can actually find.
Monkey Shoulder was my gateway into Scotch. I was looking for an accessible point to start years ago and saw it recommended over and over on this and other channels. It did not disappoint.
Haven’t and the “new” scaled up blend and I think I’m more scared of ruining the fond memory I have of it.
I'm at a "one bottle of any Redbreast and one bottle of any Aberlour in the cabinet" phase as having found my favorite flavor profile s, but this gets me back to wanting to explore more interesting stuff beyond my favorites. Cheers, all!
redbreast is amazing smokey shoulder wasn't my jam hope you have better taste
Man I would love to try this one but here in South Africa we only get the standard...but no complaints, I love the standard.
Frikkieman ek was nou in in France gewees het vir my een saam gebring. Het in Parys op lughawe gekoop. 55 Euros😁
@@reniergrobler6226 Oh for real, that's awesome. I am properly jealous.
Glengoyne distills their single malt in the Highland region, but age it across the street which is technically in the Lowland region as the A81 is the boundary between the two regions. Two different regions for production even though it is on the same property.
I imagine that the smoke in this whisky comes from Ailsa Bay which is the malt distillery co-located at the Girvan grain complex and is also owned by Grant & Sons.
Thougt the same..
Interesting, any other labels that their smokey juice goes into? I am a fiend for smoked whisky, but everything import in Ohio tends to be $60-100 which is outside of daily sipper for me. Side note, still looking for an affordable smoked bourbon, too... which basically seems to not exist.
Thought so as well
It's been a long time since I came by for a review!!! Thanks for turning me onto Balcones
As a big fan of the original I've been wanting to try this for awhile but just haven't found a way yet. Sad to hear the quality dipped when they scaled up.
Actually just picked up my first bottle of batch 27... should be an interesting experience only other neat whiskey I've had was Ezra Brooks.. can't wait!
I myself enjoy the JW 15 green. Probably my favorite, compared to the blue, black, and gold.
They own Ailsa Bay and Kininvie. Two distilleries very much known for blend input and Ailsa Bay has a guaranteed peated output.
Give us the TRASH CAN CAM!!!!
Loving the redo videos 😊 Keep it up guys!
simply gifted at smelling whiskeys and describing it!!! masterclass!!
I always get thirsty when I see one of your videos.. Thanks guys! 🥃
Love your videos guys! I'm curious to hear your takes on Lochlea's offerings! Thanks for the great content!
Of course temperature is what influences aging. The local air and humidity won’t react with the whisk(e)y much unless they leave the top off the barrel during aging (in which case the contents would probably evaporate, anyway).
Thanks guys for the review 🥃
Monkey shoulder is a fun drink. I need to buy a bottle sometime. Remember the good times.
Monkey Shoulder would be crazy to not release something like an Origins version on a limited release basis that's their original blend and just do that once a year...you know damned well it will sell out, and it will likely have a few secondary sales of their current version of people wanting to A-B compare the two...
Great Idea.
After doing some research and watching a ton of your videos, since veryone says that it's a safe bet I've decided to buy a bottle of monkey shoulder, not the smoky one but the original. Sadly I have to say that after try it I felt NOTHING!!!... after having heard everyone talk about aromas and flavors, maybe my expectations were too high... I don't know man, I'm a rookie, I must be doing something wrong. I'll try to find the smoky monkey to see if I find some more flavor there. love yor videos guys!
How have I never heard of a smoky moneky? Now I need to find a bottle lol.
My favorite! I have never seen this version tho. I WANT IT!
I like to say that Monkey Shoulder is a bourbon drinkers gateway into scotch. I’ve used it many times to introduce friends to the wonderful world of single malts.
Wasn't for me I'm a bourbon guy but I like a good Scotch but I heard good things about monkey shoulders so I saw it on sale picked up a bottle and I'll never buy another bottle. Just don't like the taste.
If we are getting back on things, hope those core range show downs are revisited.
I had Monkey Shoulder a couple times about 10 years ago and enjoyed it, but haven't tried it since. I think my brother still has a bottle that's several years old - I'm guessing he's had it for ~5 years, maybe even longer. I gave him a bottle a long time ago, so if he never opened it (which is very possible) then it's definitely the OG version. He has a ridiculous collection of a couple hundred bottles of bourbon and scotch. When did they change the blend? I'll have to pick up the Smokey Monkey if I see it for close to MSRP.
I don’t remember you guys featuring very many blended whiskeys before. Or maybe I just haven’t noticed, because I don’t drink blends often.
What distillery is SilverFox 108 referring to? The guys don't say.
Oban. They have a 14 year old whisky and the town completely surrounds the distillery.
@@shuboy05 thanks
Been looking for this since y'all mentioned it awhile back but haven't been able to find it in the Austin area.
GOOD AFTERNOON YOU MB'S..... 🥃 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥴
I continue to be annoyed that Smokey Monkey isn't sold in the US (in stores, anyway).
All right, gang! Now we get to see how many combinations of Smokey, Johnnie, Green, Walker and Monkey we can come up with and decide if it's the title of a new Clutch album or a new team on Legends of the Hidden Temple.
I would have thought the smoky malts would have came from Alisa Bay distillery is the lowlands which grants own and is known for the sweet and Smokey notes
Maybe you guys should do a blink of different smoky blends to see where they rank.
How does this compare to Highland Park 12?
I'd like to get into peated scotch some (I can enjoy lightly peated whiskey already) but I do NOT like the bandaid taste. any suggestions for peated scotch that dont taste like this, or is it just that what some experience as smoke I experience as bandaids?
If you can, try Port Charlotte. I find it to be less medicinal than most of the other peated whiskies. (Laphroaig, Sprinkbank etc) Peated Balcones is quite interesting as well.
Lagavulin 16 is what you need to try. It has notes of mint and chocolate to supplement the peat. It’s not much if any iodine or bandaid.
Hey Daniel, what's that around your neck? Is that your Mr.T starter kit 😂.
So instead of donating a bottle we should donate to a bottle already donated?
I think that will work best for a Penicillin (won’t have to make a laphroaige float)
Re ageing Scotch - the whole of the UK is by the seaside: we have a maritime climate with south-westerlies rolling in on a regular basis. The furthest point away from the sea is Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire...at a mere 70m miles.
Diageo's Blackrange warehousing in Alloa are but a short distance to the East coast.
Note the South and extreme SE of England are the hottest and driest but no "Scotch" there...
wow... rough weekend?
Probably should compare with Island Green instead of regular JW Green. The Island Green has more Islay smoke.
Ol Dan Dan still chasing that elusive dream of becoming an NBA star. Never give up buddy...never give up
I actually have had a bottle of this for a year or 2, had one glass and did not like the disinfectant taste the reminded me of detox or tcp
Haha
Ailsa Bay distillery is a Wm. Grant & they do peated whisky. Guessing that's where the 'smokey' comes from.
Well now I'm wondering which Monkey I had. I remember watching your video and trying it and not liking it at all. Which saddened me. It just had funky musky notes I couldn't get past. But was it the original blend or the new?
WHAT?!!! I didn't even know this was a thing 🤯
Hopefully I can find Smokey Monkey now... Been looking for years.
Welcometowhiskeyvault...hammered.
I drank the hell out of the original Monkey Shoulder and loved it. Sorry to hear it changed sources.
Hello guys. 😊 Thank you for lots of entertaining and educating videos. 🎉 Have you guys lost some weight? 😮 It's good to see you feeling well and In good shape. 😊 Good guys!! Lost of cheer!
Where is this available in Central Texas?
Cheers!
Rex!! Will we ever see Rex week, month or whateva again!?!
I have put a few ounces of Laphroiag 10 in Monkey before...not bad
Same here and it reminds me of Johnnie Walker Blue for 1/8 the cost.
Hey guys, I know you say that commenting doesn't work for suggesting a whiskey but you should do Johnnie Walker King George v. If you can get your hands on a bottle
Johnny Walker Green is another level. It's 15 years old and monkey shoulders probably even six
is smokey monkey available in Texas?? i’ve never seen it on the shelf on the east coast
I saw this at my liquor store are they all scotch whiskey?
I had no idea monkey shoulder came in a smokey version. I need to find it.
Never seen a bottle of this. If I ever do, I'm likely grabbing it
I always look, but never find 😭
I remember when it first launched 3-ish years ago, it was only for restaurants. I haven't seen anything about availability since then tho.
As far as I know they get the peat from Ailsa Bay.
Has anyone tried or heard of Sisterdale Bourban?? I saw it at my local liquor store and can’t find any reviews on it online. I want to try it because it says they are based in Texas but it was like $70, and I don’t want to pay that price for something I might not like.
Doesn’t the smokey whisky come from Alisa Bay?
"It's like giving the bass player the one solo...."
Geddy Lee has entered the chat.
Need a cigar and whiskey pairing
Please review copper dog scotch with comparison to monkey shoulder
Is Smokey just suppose to be Speyside distilleries? Ailsa Bay is peated.
You missed double black would have been a apples to apples comparison
The smell of adventure
Another affordable blend the Gladstone Axe.
Hello to all you MBs
JURA is ON ISLAND!
So is Bruichladdich
my go too when making penicillins
I nabbed a bottle of OG Monkey Shoulder that was pretty nice back in 2017. After they took their scaled up turn, I just can't stand the stuff anymore.
Honestly, I've liked the Smokey Monkey a little better than the standard. But I don't think the price jump between the two is worth it.
The peat is probably coming from their Aisla Bay whisky.
One more thing I must have
Never seen Smokey Monkey before. But I do miss "Bold and Smooth" Monkey Shoulder over "The Original".
Smokey green
0:06 RIP to anyones ears that had ear buds in. 🤣
monkey shoulder has gone up 20% here in torontos gov run stores in less than 10 mos. not nearly as enticing
My brother enjoys this drama
I think this would be good cleaning the rims on my car
Monkey shoulder is ass now. I bought a new bottle and it doesnt compare to the old bottles. I still have half a bottle Ive had for a few years and I was gonna bring it on a trip but forgot to grab it. So I just bought a new one when I got there. I wouldn't buy another bottle for $10. It was almost nasty. Such a shame for a good cheap bottle to fall.
Totally agree.
Anyone think the intro music sounds like the music that plays in Donkey Kong Country??
Damn…before the video and both are already faded…🥃
so mix the original monkey with the smoky balvenie
Day 49 of asking for a Magnificent Bastard Trash Can Shot Cam!
I’m Dex, I’m Raniel. And welcome to the brandy vault.
This sounds like it would be great in a penicillin 🤔
was waiting for this one
Grey shirt guy never introduced himself, I have no idea who he is...someone help me!
He goes by pudgy chode.
Lol
You should blend everythin you sample.
I blame you 2 for the upscaling of monkey shoulder
as much as I love the original Monkey Shoulder and always have a bottle of it, the Smokey one was a total disappointment. The smoke has an artificial sense to it and fades away just after 10-15 minutes. If you like smoky whisky then don't look for "imitations", just go for Isla and enjoy your moment.
I love you banana
I didn't like this one. But I have to admit I am a whiskey guy and I am first and foremost bourbon and American whiskey but I love Irish whiskey Japanese whiskey but the Scotch whiskeys I haven't explored them as much so there's been some that get good reviews and I don't like them some that get rape reviews and I've like those but there's been some that people are said Oh that's not that good but I enjoy it so scotches are a little weird with me.
normal monkey shoulder has been the only drink I have ever poured down the drain. Wet, Moldy, Gym Socks.
Monkey shoulder taste like grants, i want to compare MS smokey vs Grant's Triple Wood. Grant's scotch is very a under-appreciated, especially the sherry cask only 50 CAD at most liquor stores in Canada which is pretty good Jameson, Jack everything "cheap" is $40. Jonnie Walker and Evan Williams are the only things under $40
Not a fan of peated or smokey Whiskeys, Im in in to Irish whiskeys, I enjoy the green apple and caramel notes.
Burbon could be for you