Most Similar Whiskies to Monkey Shoulder: Top Picks For All Budgets

Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt Scotch whisky that has gained popularity for its smooth, rich, and approachable taste profile.

If you're a fan of Monkey Shoulder and looking for similar whiskies to expand your palate, we've got you covered.

We've compiled a list of whiskies that closely resemble the taste profile of Monkey Shoulder, offering a range of options for every budget.

Top Pick: Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old

Why it's our top pick: Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old offers a perfect balance of quality, similarity to Monkey Shoulder, affordability, and availability.

This single malt Scotch whisky is matured in American oak and European oak sherry casks, which imparts a rich, fruity, and slightly sweet character. It shares the same parent company as Monkey Shoulder, William Grant & Sons, ensuring that the quality and craftsmanship are top-notch.

Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old is a great stepping stone for those who want to explore single malts while enjoying a familiar taste profile.

What you need to know:

• Single malt Scotch whisky
• Aged for 12 years in American oak and European oak sherry casks
• Rich, fruity, and slightly sweet flavor profile
• Widely available and reasonably priced
• Produced by William Grant & Sons, the same company as Monkey Shoulder

Price: $60-$75

Budget Pick: Grant's Triple Wood

Why it's great for budget-conscious consumers: Grant's Triple Wood is a blended Scotch whisky that offers a similar taste profile to Monkey Shoulder at a more budget-friendly price point.

This whisky is matured in three types of wood – American oak, virgin oak, and bourbon barrels – giving it a smooth, rich, and slightly sweet character.

While it may not be as refined as Monkey Shoulder, Grant's Triple Wood is an excellent value for money option for those seeking a more affordable alternative.

What you need to know:

• Blended Scotch whisky
• Matured in three types of wood – American oak, virgin oak, and bourbon barrels
• Smooth, rich, and slightly sweet flavor profile
• Budget-friendly and widely available

Price: $25-$35

Premium Pick: Balvenie 12-Year-Old DoubleWood

Why it's worth the splurge: Balvenie 12-Year-Old DoubleWood is another single malt Scotch whisky produced by William Grant & Sons, sharing the same quality and craftsmanship as Monkey Shoulder.

This whisky is aged in two different types of casks – American oak and European oak sherry – imparting a rich, fruity, and slightly sweet taste profile. While it comes at a higher price point, Balvenie 12-Year-Old DoubleWood offers a more complex and refined flavor experience, making it worth the investment for whisky enthusiasts.

What you need to know:

• Single malt Scotch whisky
• Aged for 12 years in American oak and European oak sherry casks
• Rich, fruity, and slightly sweet flavor profile
• Produced by William Grant & Sons, the same company as Monkey Shoulder
• Complex and refined taste experience

Price: $80-$100

Compass Box Oak Cross 

Why it's a unique alternative: Compass Box Oak Cross is a blended malt Scotch whisky that combines the richness and fruity character of Monkey Shoulder with a more robust, spicy finish.

This whisky is created using a blend of three different single malts from the Highland region and is aged in both American and French oak casks.

The result is a unique flavor profile that offers a great alternative for those who enjoy Monkey Shoulder but want to explore a slightly different taste experience.

What you need to know:

• Blended malt Scotch whisky
• Combines Highland single malts aged in American and French oak casks
• Rich, fruity, and slightly sweet flavor profile with a robust, spicy finish
• Unique alternative to Monkey Shoulder
• Crafted by the innovative Compass Box Whisky Company

Price: $60-$75

Glenlivet 12-Year-Old

Why it's a classic choice: Glenlivet 12-Year-Old is a well-known single malt Scotch whisky with a smooth, fruity, and approachable flavor profile similar to Monkey Shoulder.

This whisky is aged in American oak and European oak sherry casks, which imparts a gentle sweetness and a hint of spice.

Glenlivet 12-Year-Old is a classic choice for those who enjoy Monkey Shoulder and want to explore other popular single malts with a familiar taste.

What you need to know:

• Single malt Scotch whisky
• Aged for 12 years in American oak and European oak sherry casks
• Smooth, fruity, and approachable flavor profile
• Classic choice for single malt enthusiasts
• Widely available and reasonably priced

Price: $55-$70

Auchentoshan American Oak

Why it's perfect for a lighter alternative: Auchentoshan American Oak is a single malt Scotch whisky that offers a lighter, more delicate flavor profile compared to Monkey Shoulder.

This Lowland whisky is matured exclusively in American oak bourbon barrels, which imparts a gentle vanilla sweetness and a touch of citrus.

If you're looking for a more refreshing and lighter alternative to Monkey Shoulder, Auchentoshan American Oak is an excellent choice.

What you need to know:

• Single malt Scotch whisky
• Matured in American oak bourbon barrels
• Light, delicate, and slightly sweet flavor profile
• Perfect for those seeking a refreshing alternative to Monkey Shoulder
• Produced by the renowned Auchentoshan Distillery

Price: $45-$60

Johnnie Walker Black Label

Why it's great for blended whisky fans: Johnnie Walker Black Label is a blended Scotch whisky that offers a more robust and smoky flavor profile compared to Monkey Shoulder.

This 12-year-old blend combines whiskies from across Scotland, including some peated options, resulting in a more complex and layered taste experience.

For those who enjoy Monkey Shoulder but want to venture into blended whiskies with a bit more depth, Johnnie Walker Black Label is a fantastic option.

What you need to know:

• Blended Scotch whisky
• Aged for 12 years
• Robust, smoky, and complex flavor profile
• Great for those looking to explore blended whiskies with more depth
• Produced by the iconic Johnnie Walker brand

(Price: $45-$60)

The whiskies listed above offer a diverse range of alternatives to Monkey Shoulder, catering to different budgets and taste preferences.

Our top pick, Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old, strikes the perfect balance between quality, similarity, affordability, and availability. However, each option provides a unique and enjoyable taste experience, allowing you to explore the world of whisky while staying true to the flavors you love in Monkey Shoulder.