Batch & Bottle Monkey Shoulder Lazy Old Fashioned 375ML

Batch & Bottle Monkey Shoulder Lazy Old Fashioned 375ML is a ready-to-drink Scotch Old Fashioned bottled at 35% ABV in a 375ml format. This premixed cocktail earned Double Gold medals at both the 2023 International Spirits Challenge and the 2023 TAG Global Spirits Awards, establishing it as one of the top-rated RTD cocktails on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 35%  |  Origin: Speyside, Scotland / United Kingdom  |  Style: Premixed Old Fashioned (RTD)  |  Brand: Batch & Bottle (William Grant & Sons)

Production & Heritage

The Lazy Old Fashioned is built around Monkey Shoulder, a blended malt Scotch whisky produced by William Grant & Sons from a vatting of three single malts distilled at Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie — all located in Speyside. Unlike most blended malts, which combine four or more component whiskies, Monkey Shoulder deliberately limits its recipe to these three malts, each matured in first-fill ex-bourbon casks and blended across 27 selected casks per batch. The cocktail itself is mixed to the classic Old Fashioned template — whisky, bitters, and a measure of sweetness — then bottled at a cocktail-strength 35% ABV, retaining a whisky-forward character uncommon in the RTD category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh citrus peel leads into grassy, slightly herbal undertones. A soft vanilla sweetness from the bourbon-cask-aged malt lingers beneath.

Taste: The entry is warm and whisky-forward, with spiced malt and vanilla arriving immediately. Mid-palate, clean dark chocolate emerges alongside nutmeg and a measured sweetness that avoids any cloying, artificial quality. The balance between bitters and the malt's natural fruit keeps each sip structured and engaging.

Finish: Medium length with lingering warm spice and a faint smoky undertone. The chocolate and vanilla notes fade gradually, leaving a dry, satisfying close.

How to Drink the Lazy Old Fashioned

Pour directly over a single large ice cube or ice sphere in a rocks glass — no mixing or measuring required. A twist of orange peel expressed over the surface brings out the citrus aromatics already present in the blend. For variation, try these riffs: a Smoked Old Fashioned, adding a brief pass of applewood smoke over the glass to amplify the whisky's subtle smokiness; a Chocolate Old Fashioned, stirring in a barspoon of chocolate bitters to extend the dark chocolate notes; or a Maple Old Fashioned, finishing with a few drops of maple syrup to complement the vanilla and warm spice profile.

Best For

• Bringing a bar-quality cocktail to outdoor gatherings or picnics without the need for a full bar setup
• Gifting a Scotch whisky fan who appreciates a well-made Old Fashioned
• Stocking a home bar with a reliable, no-prep weeknight cocktail
• Introducing Scotch-based cocktails to someone more familiar with bourbon drinks

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Lazy Old Fashioned taste like? It delivers a whisky-forward Old Fashioned profile with warm spices, vanilla, dark chocolate, and a hint of bitters, balanced by a restrained sweetness that never turns sugary.

How does the Lazy Old Fashioned compare to On The Rocks Old Fashioned? The most significant difference is the base spirit: On The Rocks uses Knob Creek small-batch bourbon, giving it a sweeter, higher-corn character, while the Lazy Old Fashioned uses Monkey Shoulder blended malt Scotch, resulting in a maltier, more subtly smoky profile. Both sit in the premium RTD tier, but the Scotch base gives the Batch & Bottle version a distinct flavor direction.

Is the Lazy Old Fashioned good for sipping neat? At 35% ABV, it drinks comfortably without ice, though a single large cube or a brief chill brings out more nuance in the citrus and spice notes.

Where is the Lazy Old Fashioned made? It is produced in the United Kingdom using Monkey Shoulder blended malt Scotch whisky, which is vatted from three single malts distilled at the Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie distilleries in the Speyside region of Scotland.

What foods pair well with the Lazy Old Fashioned? Dark chocolate truffles mirror the cocktail's chocolate notes; smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the malt's subtle smokiness; aged cheddar or Gruyère works with the vanilla and spice; pecan pie echoes the warm, sweet undertones; and charcuterie boards with dried fruit provide a savory-sweet contrast.

What sizes does the Lazy Old Fashioned come in? The standard size is 375ml, which yields approximately four to five cocktail pours depending on serving size.

Is the Lazy Old Fashioned worth the price? It positions as a premium RTD cocktail, priced above mass-market premixed drinks but justified by its use of a well-regarded blended malt Scotch and its Double Gold recognition at two major international competitions in 2023.

Why the Lazy Old Fashioned?

Two Double Gold medals in a single year — at the International Spirits Challenge and the TAG Global Spirits Awards, both in 2023 — place this squarely among the most decorated ready-to-drink cocktails currently available. The use of Monkey Shoulder as the base spirit is the key differentiator; its three-malt Speyside composition, all aged in first-fill ex-bourbon casks, gives the cocktail a depth and malt complexity that bourbon-based RTD Old Fashioneds simply don't replicate. The Whiskey Wash scored it 4.5 out of 5, specifically noting its balance and clean chocolate character. For anyone who wants a genuine Old Fashioned without the ritual of building one from scratch, this 375ml bottle delivers cocktail-bar quality with nothing more than a glass and some ice.