Having launched in mzansi-South Africa in October- (er my birth month) this year, this Scottish whisky promises to shake the market and use its monkey ‘posse’ on the bottle as its prowess to offset any challenges it may anticipate.
Scotch snobs say you shouldn’t drink whisky with ice or mix it with cocktails, but there are no old-fashioned rules when it comes to enjoying Monkey Shoulder Malt, says those close to the brand.
We came to acquaint ourselves with the brand during the annual Whisky fest in Soweto- for the very first time Soweto has hosted such a magnificent fest- before movin’ to Sandton the following week.
How it came about: “While authentic to its core, it’s named after an old tale about distillery workers years ago, they would shovel tonnes of malting barley by hand, hour after hour. This hard work sometimes caused a sore shoulder and their arm to hang down, a bit like a chimpanzee. The men called this temporary affliction ‘monkey shoulder’ and the Scotch is named in their honour.” Aha!
“Monkey Shoulder is an authentic Scotch and therefore we want to break down the barriers and let South Africans discover a new way to enjoy malt whisky without having to worry about all the history and traditions that can be off putting,” says Lauren Kuhlmey, marketing manager for Monkey Shoulder SA.
Monkey Shoulder is launched by renowned independent, family-owned distillers William Grant & Sons, who are infamous for producing leading brands internationally.
According to the press info, it can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, mixed or in cocktails.
A combination of three single malt Scotch whiskies (that’s why we call it a triple malt) all matured in oak casks that previously held Bourbon (that’s where all the smooth mellow vanilla goodness comes from), continued the release.
The time has come to demystify the stuffy world of whisky and introduce Scotch to a new generation of drinkers and Monkey Shoulder is leading the charge. This monkey not that monkey, of course!
It’s available at leading liquor stores nationwide from R 299 only. Yes, look-out for that monkey on your shoulder…
Oh, don’t be a drunken monkey cos its not sold to under 18’s. Sori!
For more info go to: @MonkeyShldrSA or www.facebook.com/MonkeyShoulderSouthAfrica
*COMPETITION TIME
Sowetolife Mag Online and EDWARD SNELL & CO, is giving away a Box of a Monkey Shoulder Scotch Triple Malt Whisky.
To win, answer the following questions:
· When & which month was Monkey Shoulder launched in SA?
· How much does it retails for?
· Is it a whisky or brandy?
Send all the answers and contact details to info@sowetolifemag.co.za or sydney@sowetolifemag.co.za, before or end of Friday 22 November 2013.
T&Cs do apply.
After-all its FESTIVE SEASON TIME!
