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Monkey Shoulder launches Fresh Monkey unaged spirit

Whisky brand Monkey Shoulder has announced the launch of a new spirit: Fresh Monkey.

The new innovation from the William Grant & Sons-owned brand is a mix of three new-make spirits, two grain spirits and one Speyside malt spirit, which have been blended unaged.

Monkey Shoulder claims that the new 'blended grain spirit' combines classic malt notes with the "vibrant tropical and grassy" notes of a sugarcane juice rum. Fresh Monkey's category-crossing character is also intended to give it greater versatility in the hands of bartenders.

Brian Kinsman, master blener for Monkey Shoulder, said: "We're always looking for ways to mix things up. Just like we did when we first launched our Monkey Shoulder Original - which, unlike the rest of the Scotch whisky category, was made for mixing. Now, we are breaking ground once again with the launch of a new blended grain spirit.

"When developing Fresh Monkey and testing it in many of the top bars around the world, our aim was always to create a unique and refreshing liquid, whilst allowing bartenders to have fun with the spirit. We've found that Monkey Shoulder Original and Smokey Monkey are perfect mixers for aged spirit cocktails, and so with the launch of Fresh Monkey, we have also added a light spirit for bartenders to play with."

Joe Petch, global brand ambassador for Monkey Shoulder, added: "When discussing Monkey Shoulder's future liquid innovation, we asked ourselves, 'What if the next Monkey Shoulder wasn't aged?'. Things got very exciting very quickly, and after discussing bartenders' favourite cocktails, the Daiquiri was obviously mentioned. Here are Monkey, we love a great Daiquiri, but we don't make rum and therefore we had to get creative."

Fresh Monkey (40% ABV) will be available at on-trade venues including Ugly Butterfly in Cornwall, Callooh Callay in London, Panda & Sons in Edinburgh, and Lab 22 in Cardiff.

25 July 2022 - Bethany Whymark