You’d think with a title like that, you’d found your way to PornandWhiskey, but nope – you’re right where you’re supposed to be (I hope – if not, please don’t tell me). I had the pleasure of hanging out with the brand ambassadors of William Grant & Sons at the San Antonio Cocktail Conference last week. An awesome, knowledgeable crew – and one of the more colorful, shall we say, is Freddy May, the BA for Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Whisky.
If you’ve been reading this site for awhile, you might remember that I reviewed Monkey Shoulder earlier. I won’t rehash it, go ahead and read it now. This will add some details I didn’t have earlier, so graciously provided by Freddy.
Oh, sorry, back to the threesome comment. Monkey Shoulder, unlike other blended Scotch, is made from three single malts – the others add grain whisky. As Freddy pointed out, “We firmly believe, in single malt whisky, a threesome is better than a onesome.” I’m pretty sure that’s one of the more memorable – and repeatable – quotes of the conference.
Most people say, “Oh, I don’t like Scotch – I don’t like peat.” I’ll possibly even admit to being one of those people in a previous life. However – most Scotch whisky isn’t actually peated, which means you end up with a more delicate flavor profile, like Monkey Shoulder and the other William Grant brands. You want smacked in the head by the big flavors of beef jerky smoke, iodine/seawater and Band-aids? Have a glass of Laphroaig or Ardbeg. If you want a cocktail, use Monkey Shoulder.
Yep, let the rain of criticism start. I said mix up your Monkey Shoulder. You know why? Because MONKEY SHOULDER said mix it. It’s positioned as a cocktail brand, in both price point and flavor profile. In the interests of “research”, I tried the cocktails that Freddy had in their suite – I’d say the cocktails were my reward for finding my way TO the suite. It was their own version of a speakeasy – complete with a guy in bathrobe on a Doritos-strewn bed, that made you crawl through the fridge to get in. Once safely inside, I tried a Show Me the Monkey cocktail. It was very tasty – and a bit dangerous. Not too sweet, very easy to drink (one or three, don’t judge me). Check out their master mixologist whipping one up.
Freddy calls Monkey Shoulder unapologetic and simple – and a bit of a naughty cousin. At that point, I’m pretty sure he was referring to the Scotch and not himself, but who’s to say? I won’t judge.
Article by: Jeanne Runkle
