Last Updated on: 11th August 2024, 01:26 am
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.
Explore the distinctions between Copper Dog and Monkey Shoulder in this detailed comparison to determine which Scotch suits your preferences.
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.
Written by: J Highland
Copper Dog vs Monkey Shoulder: Comparison
Copper Dog: A Speyside blend ideal for cocktails, featuring a fruity nose with a hint of honey and a palate that balances sweetness with oak spice. Its short finish with caramel and coffee notes makes it a versatile mixer, offering good value for those looking to elevate their drink recipes.
Monkey Shoulder: Offers a smooth blend of Speyside malts, with a rich nose of marmalade and vanilla, leading to a creamy palate of honey and orange. Its short but sweet finish makes it an excellent choice for both cocktails and neat drinking, providing a gentle introduction to Scotch whisky.
Key Fact: Copper Dog and Monkey Shoulder are blends of single malts, not “single malt” by definition, as they’re mixed from various distilleries, yet have a single malt’s character.
Verdict: Both Copper Dog and Monkey Shoulder are great for cocktail enthusiasts, with Monkey Shoulder standing out for its smoothness and versatility in drinks. Copper Dog brings a unique mix of flavors suitable for specific cocktail profiles, offering good value within its niche, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Cheap Scotch Best Picks
Copper Dog: Speyside Blend for Cocktails
- 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
- Similar to: J&B
Copper Dog’s nose starts with apple and pear, followed by honey and a touch of alcohol. The taste reveals honey and apple, along with hints of orange and oak. The finish is short and warm, with caramel, coffee, and oak notes.
This blend of eight Speyside single malts, though not officially classified as such, is a good choice for cocktails. While slightly light-bodied and a bit warm, it offers good value, especially in mixed drinks like the Rob Roy.
Copper Dog Facts:
- Blend of eight Speyside single malts (no age statement)
- Created by Piers Adam, owner of The Craigellachie Hotel
- Named after a tool used by distillery workers to take samples
- Additional info: Copper Dog Website
Monkey Shoulder: Smooth Blended Delight
- 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
- Similar to: Glenmorangie X
Monkey Shoulder entices the nose with marmalade, vanilla, and hints of warm spices. The smooth and creamy texture delivers delicate flavors of vanilla, honey, and orange, balanced by a touch of oaky bitterness. The finish is short, leaving lingering caramel with a hint of oak spice.
Perfect for beginners and cocktail enthusiasts, Monkey Shoulder offers an approachable and affordable entry point to the world of Scotch. Its blended nature combines malts from three Speyside distilleries: Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Kininvie, resulting in a versatile spirit that shines in both neat sips and mixed drinks.
Monkey Shoulder Facts:
- Blend of malts (no age statement)
- Named after a maltmen’s injury (“monkey shoulder”)
- Owned by William Grant & Sons (Glenfiddich, Balvenie)
- Additional info: Monkey Shoulder Website
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Copper Dog | $29 |
| Monkey Shoulder | $30 |
What do Monkey Shoulder and Copper Dog have in common?
Copper Dog and Monkey Shoulder whiskies are blends of single malt from different distilleries.
According to Scotch whisky production regulations, a whisky must be crafted entirely at a single distillery to be labeled as a single malt.
As a result, these whiskies cannot be classified as single malts in a strict sense.
However, it is worth noting that these whiskies are often referred to as “unofficial single malts” due to their composition solely from malted barley and the absence of any grain whisky in their blends.
While they do not meet the technical definition of single malt, they offer a similar flavor profile and character to single malt, showcasing the quality and diversity of Scotch whisky production.