Similar Whiskies to Monkey Shoulder

Last Updated on: 3rd May 2024, 05:10 pm

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

Written by: J Highland

Choosing the Best Alternatives to Monkey Shoulder

Budget-Friendly Blend with a Hint of Smoke:

• Naked Malt: Peach, apple, honey, baking spice with a touch of Highland peat (approachable dram with mild complexity).

Speyside Blend for Mixing:

• Copper Dog: Apple, pear, honey with honey, apple, and oak spice (lighter body, shines in cocktails like Rob Roy).

Smooth & Sweet for the Price:

• Dewar's White Label: Apple, peach, oak with honey, cereal, vanilla, and oak spice (exceptional value, smooth and sweet).

Easy Drinking & Mixing (Irish Whiskey):

• Jameson: Floral, marmalade, caramel with ripe fruit and vanilla (versatile Irish whiskey, great for cocktails).

Beyond Blended:

Smooth & Easygoing Single Malt:

• Glenlivet 12: Toasted cereal, honey, pear with vanilla and ripe fruit (gentle introduction to single malts, no peat or smoke).

Light & Fruity Single Malt:

• Glenmorangie 10: Lemon, nectarine, apple with vanilla, citrus, caramel (creamy texture, light sweetness, perfect for beginners).

Sweet Smoke for Peat Curiosity:

• Johnnie Walker Black Label: Vanilla, orange zest, nectarine with smoke, roasted malt, caramel (affordable and approachable peaty Scotch).

Blended Basics for Mixing:

• Chivas Regal 12: Apple, vanilla, lemon curd with apple, malt, oak, caramel (inoffensive and affordable, ideal for highballs).

A Smooth Introduction to Single Malt:

• Glenfiddich 12: Floral, ripe fruit, honey with fruity sweetness, pear (clean profile, avoids harshness, good for beginners).

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Best Alternatives to Monkey Shoulder: Buying Guide

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Naked Malt: Budget-Friendly Blend with a Hint of Highland Smoke

• Nose: Peach, apple, coffee, vanilla
• Palate: Honey, baking spice, peat, apple
• Finish: Short, oak spice, baking spice
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Naked Malt is a blend of single malts, including prestigious names like Macallan and Highland Park.

Aged in American and European oak with a sherry cask finish, it offers a fruity nose of peach, apple, and hints of coffee and vanilla. The oily texture carries a warm and balanced taste of honey, baking spice, apple, and a subtle touch of Highland peat smoke. The finish is short with lingering baking spices, oak, and a hint of bitterness.

Affordable and well-balanced, Naked Malt is a great choice for sipping or cocktails. The mild peat adds complexity without overpowering the other flavors, making it a delicious and approachable dram, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Copper Dog: Speyside Blend for Mixing (Unofficial Single Malt)

• Nose: Apple, pear, honey, ethanol
• Palate: Honey, apple, orange, oak spice
• Finish: Short, caramel, coffee, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Copper Dog hits with a nose of apple, pear, honey, and a subtle alcohol touch. Honey and apple flavors lead the taste, joined by hints of bitter orange and oak spice. The finish is short and warm, with lingering caramel, coffee, and oak.

While not a single malt (blend of 8 Speyside malts), it offers a similar experience. Despite a lighter body and slight peppery note, Copper Dog shines in cocktails like the Rob Roy.

Dewar's White Label: Smooth & Sweet for the Price

• Nose: Apple, peach, oak
• Palate: Honey, cereal, vanilla, smoke, oak
• Finish: Caramel, vanilla, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Dewar's White Label stands out for its smooth, sweet profile – a welcome change from the harshness some expect in budget Scotches.

The nose is subtle, hinting at apple, peach, barley, and oak. The palate offers honey, caramel, vanilla, and toasted barley, with a whisper of smoke and oak. The finish is short but pleasant, lingering with caramel, vanilla, and oak spice.

Dewar's surpasses expectations for its price range, making it a favorite in the US and a UK bestseller. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails – it delivers exceptional value.

Jameson: Smooth Irish Whiskey for Easy Drinking & Mixing

• Nose: Floral, marmalade, caramel
• Palate: Ripe fruit, vanilla
• Finish: Medium, caramel, spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Jameson, the king of Irish whiskey, isn't shy – over 4 million cases sold a year! Its floral nose with orange marmalade and caramel hints is gentle on the alcohol. The taste is robust, sweet, and fruity, with vanilla leading the charge and a unique, subtle metallic note. The finish is medium-length, sweet with a touch of black pepper.

This smooth whiskey is a cocktail champion for a reason – it lacks harshness and blends beautifully. Water, ginger ale, or ice can all unlock more flavor and soften any heat. So, if you're looking for a versatile Irish whiskey for easy sipping or creative cocktails, Jameson's your guy.

Glenlivet 12: Smooth & Easygoing Single Malt

• Nose: Toasted cereal, honey, pear
• Palate: Vanilla, ripe fruit
• Finish: Short, honey, vanilla
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

The Glenlivet 12 offers a gentle introduction to single malts. Its nose is faint, hinting at toasted cereal, honey, and pear. The palate is exceptionally smooth and creamy, showcasing vanilla and fruity notes. The finish is short and sweet, lingering with vanilla.

This mellow malt lacks smoke, peat, or complex flavors, making it an easy drinker. Its smooth texture and prominent vanilla and honey notes make it a great choice for those new to single malts or those seeking a no-fuss sippin experience.

Glenmorangie 10: Light & Fruity Single Malt Delight

• Nose: Lemon, nectarine, apple
• Palate: Vanilla, citrus, caramel, oak
• Finish: Long, smooth, malty
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Glenmorangie 10 beckons with a light, fruity nose of lemon, nectarine, and fresh apples. The creamy palate offers smooth, sweet flavors of vanilla, caramel, and a touch of oak. The finish lingers pleasantly with a malty aftertaste.

Known for its creamy texture and light sweetness, this easy-drinking single malt is a great choice for beginners or those seeking a fruity and approachable dram. Enjoy its smooth character and clean finish for an effortless everyday sip.

Johnnie Walker Black Label: Sweet Smoke for Peat Curiosity

• Nose: Vanilla, orange zest, nectarine
• Palate: Smoke, roasted malt, caramel, vanilla
• Finish: Long, fruity, peppery, smoke
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Black Label entices with a nose of vanilla, orange zest, nectarine, and a whisper of smoke. The palate is lighter-bodied but delivers mild sweetness and a prominent peat character, followed by hints of caramel and vanilla. The finish balances smoke, black pepper, salt, and caramel with a gentle warmth.

This blend offers a taste of peaty Scotch without being overpowering. Smooth and balanced, it's ideal for beginners curious about smoky whiskies, thanks to its affordable price and approachable character. Enjoy it neat or on the rocks to fully appreciate the balance of smoke and sweetness.

Chivas Regal 12: Blended Basics for Mixing

• Nose: Apple, vanilla, lemon curd
• Palate: Apple, malt, oak, caramel, pepper
• Finish: Short, pepper, bitter
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Highball

Chivas Regal 12 offers a nose of apple juice, vanilla, and lemon curd. The light-bodied palate features oak, caramel, green apple, cinnamon, and a touch of black pepper. The finish is short and light with peppery warmth.

Chivas 12 is inoffensive and affordable. It works well in highballs with soda, showcasing the essential elements of a blend at a reasonable price.

Glenfiddich 12: A Smooth Introduction to Single Malt

• Nose: Floral, ripe fruit, honey
• Palate: Fruity sweetness, pear, oak
• Finish: Medium, pear, oak
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Glenfiddich 12, a single malt Scotch whisky, offers a welcoming entrance to the world of single malts. Its delicate nose with floral and fruity notes, followed by a sweet taste with subtle oak, provides a smooth and mellow experience.

While some experts may find it too simple, its clean profile avoids harshness, making it ideal for beginners or those seeking a gentle single malt.

Monkey Shoulder: Smooth Blend for Beginners

• Nose: Marmalade, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon
• Palate: Malt, vanilla, orange, honey, oak
• Finish: Caramel, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Monkey Shoulder's nose is a citrus dream with hints of spice. The palate is creamy with vanilla, honey, and orange, finishing with a touch of oak. This blend, while not a single malt, offers a smooth intro to Scotch at an affordable price. Its mixability makes it a cocktail champion!