Monkey Shoulder to launch pack with cocktail strainer

Blended malt whisky brand Monkey Shoulder is set to unveil a limited-edition pack that plays into its mixability.

The lid of the special-edition tin will double as a cocktail strainer, in a nod to Monkey Shoulder's assertion that its premium blended whisky is "made for mixing".

The brand says this new pack design - by independent drinks branding agency Knockout - is in response to some drinkers' desire to up their home bartending game, a trend which was accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.

The lid-come-strainer is made from stainless steel to prevent rusting with a rose-gold finish and the brand's three monkey emblem. Knockout also leaned into the brand's vibrant personality, incorporating an edgy illustration style and fun typography into its design.

Dominic Burke, Knockout founder, said: "It’s been great fun working on Monkey Shoulder, a brand that not only allows you to break rules, but encourages it. This brief gave us a great opportunity to create an innovative design that demands precision as much as creativity. The result is a handy piece of pro bar kit that’ll continue to encourage and inspire people to make and enjoy cocktails at home.

Sean Wiemann, brand manager at Monkey Shoulder, said: "Monkey Shoulder exists to disrupt the status quo, reinvent whisky cocktail making and have a lot of fun while doing it. With their design of this special edition, Knockout not only helped us created a very cool bar tool, but also an experience that is accessible, creative and fun. Monkey Shoulder is made for mixing and dedicated to sharing the joy of the complete whisky cocktail experience – from mixing them up to drinking them down."

6 May 2022 - Bethany Whymark