The name “Copper Dog” was born from old distillery workers who would sneak a dram for themselves using an ingeniously crafted tool. From disused pieces of metal at the cooperage, they’d fashion their own contraption—soldering a penny to one end and then corking it on the other side. To keep their whisky secure while traversing through each mill, they would attach this makeshift vessel onto either belt or braces with a chain attached. Copper Dog boasts a unique smoothness and complexity. Its flavour profile features rich chocolate Digestive tones, as well as nutty malt, orange peels and warmly spiced aromas – such as nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. This combination of flavours creates an intense finish that lingers on the palate. Speyside is considered to be the heart of Scotch whisky due to its close proximity to the River Spey, which offers a quality of water unlike any other water source found in Scotland. Additionally, many within the distilling community have been known to gather in Speyside for over 300 years. With a majority of whisky distilleries within a 20 mile radius, the hotel is an ideal location to stay when embarking on a Scottish Highlands distillery tour. It’s been said that local scotch makers themselves often stop in for a pint and a bite to eat at the Copper Dog pub.

However, Monkey Shoulder has a more robust body and smoother taste, providing a better overall experience. Each region has its distinct characteristics and flavor profiles. Should it be enjoyed neat or with water? Commenting on the launch, Abhishek Shahabadi, VP and Portfolio Head, Premium & Luxury Brands at ‎Diageo India said, “We are happy to introduce Copper Dog in India, as a valuable new addition to our portfolio which is one of the finest blended malts scotch whisky, created in Scotland. It is a young liquid that exudes its own rugged style and perfectly personifies the kind of innovation we want to create for the new-age times. We are positive that the liquid will justify an experience for consumers that prefer to bend the rules with whisky’’ Overall, Monkey Shoulder is an ideal whisky for those looking to have an enjoyable experience without spending too much money. Its unique blend of malts sourced from various distilleries throughout Scotland’s beautiful Speyside region provides a smooth texture with hints aromas of marmalade, crema Catalana cocoa and malt subtly infused with vanilla and a pinch of winter spice – nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon – that add further complexity on the palate. Copper Dog vs Monkey Shoulder: The Comparison The Copper Dog is not categorized as a Single Malt Whisky but a blend of eight single malts created at undisclosed Speyside distilleries.Both Copper Dog and Monkey Shoulder offer great value for money, given that they are both priced almost identically. Both whiskies contain carefully sourced malts from Speyside distilleries, creating an intense flavour profile full of complexities. The name ‘Copper Dog’ comes from an old device made from copper tubing with a penny soldered to one end and cork in the other, which was used by distillery workers to smuggle whisky home. It is also the name of the bar at the Craigellachie Hotel. The aroma of Copper Dog is one of its most popular features. Blended from a range of unique malts, this Whisky has a varied and playful scent, consisting of peach, pear, dried apple, and other traditional Scottish fruits. I’m usually a fan of blended malts. Despite being an awkward, little-known category that’s hard to explain to newbies, blended malts fix a lot of what’s wrong with blended scotch. By removing the cheapest, lowest-quality ingredient (usually barely minimum aged (3 years) grain whisky) but keeping the creative and balancing act of skillful blending, a carefully-made blended malt can be ethereal and also superior to more-lauded single malts. Just look at Compass Box for examples. Sometimes, though, the script is flipped and that inexpensive grain whisky is simply replaced by similarly-wretched 3 year-old single malt sourced from the budget secondary market. The proof is usually found in the price, as the only reason to add budget malt to a blended malt is to keep the price down to entice customers used to paying bottom-dollar for blended scotch. OK, that’s not the only reason, but the exception (a high-quality, ready-to-drink cask at or near 3 years old) is so rare it’s not worth arguing about.

Monkey Shoulder is an accessible whisky, making it an excellent choice for Scotch newcomers seeking an approachable and affordable option. My journey into the world of spirits began as a pub owner, where I cultivated memorable experiences for patrons and nurtured a deep appreciation for fine liquors. It’s important to note that Monkey Shoulder is not categorized as a Single Malt Scotch but rather a blend of single malts sourced from three different distilleries in Scotland: Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Kininvie.Scotland became a hot-bed of spirit smuggling. Renowned for its remote Highland location, Speyside was a smuggler’s paradise with stills and bothies hidden in every nook and cranny. Copper Dog was awarded Gold in the International Spirits Challenge, which receives more than 1,300 entries in total every year from nearly 70 countries worldwide. We wanted to make a credible product that would mix well with soft drinks or in a sour. We hope it’s a whisky that will appeal to consumers who are into gin, rum and other spirits. Copper Dog scooped Double Gold at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition - one of the oldest spirit competitions of its kind, running for nearly two decades.

However, it is worth noting that these whiskies are often referred to as “unofficial single malts” due to their composition solely from malted barley and the absence of any grain whisky in their blends. The main types are Single Malt Scotch, Single Grain Scotch, Blended, Blended Scotch, and Blended Scotch. What is Single Malt Scotch? While they do not meet the technical definition of single malt, they offer a similar flavor profile and character to single malt, showcasing the quality and diversity of Scotch whisky production. Scotch Whisky 101 Upon sipping, notes of honey and apple become prominent, along with a touch of bitter orange and oak spice. Copper Dog has a rich amber color, which is brighter than many Malt Whiskys. Bottled in a clear bottle with a simple cork, you can clearly see the purity and quality of this beverage before you even pour it. This color is achieved thanks to the vast array of malts used in this blend, creating a complicated mix with body and character. TasteCopper Dog is the brainchild of Piers Adam, who bought The Craigellachie Hotel in Speyside, Scotland, in 2013.