Monkey Shoulder gives the old fashioned a fresh twist

For generations, whisky has been steeped in tradition. Think neat pours, leather armchairs and long-standing rules about how it should be served and who should be drinking it. But Monkey Shoulder is challenging those conventions.

On Thursday, 16 July, the blended malt whisky brand brought its Old Fashioned Nights experience to The Birmingham in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, showing that while the classics are worth celebrating, they can be even better with a modern twist.

The evening was about more than simply serving one of the world’s most iconic whisky cocktails. It was a celebration of a new generation of whisky drinkers — one that values creativity over convention, shared experiences over rigid rituals and believes great whisky should be enjoyed by everyone. That philosophy was evident from the moment guests arrived.

The Birmingham, one of Johannesburg’s celebrated women-owned and women-led venues, provided the perfect setting for an experience that subtly challenged another long-standing perception of whisky culture. Every Old Fashioned with a Twist was crafted and served by the venue’s all-female bartender team, putting the spotlight on the expertise, skill and creativity of women who are helping to shape South Africa’s evolving cocktail culture. It was a fitting collaboration for a brand that has made breaking expectations part of its identity.

The message was simple: whisky does not belong to one generation, one gender or one prescribed way of drinking. Whether enjoyed in a perfectly balanced cocktail, shared among friends or sipped over conversation, Monkey Shoulder is championing a more approachable, inclusive and social way to experience whisky.

Music provided another layer to the evening’s celebration of old-meets-new. Behind the decks, the Dlamini Duo brought their own interpretation of the “twist”. The husband-and-wife duo, who have performed together for years, have built a reputation for blending timeless classics with contemporary sounds. Their carefully curated sets, combining old-school favourites with modern influences, felt both nostalgic and refreshingly current, mirroring Monkey Shoulder’s approach to whisky itself: honour the original, but never be afraid to reinvent it.

Guests also embraced the Old Fashioned with a Twist dress code, pairing vintage-inspired fashion with contemporary style and bringing the theme to life in their own individual ways.

From the cocktails and music to the conversations and connections sparked throughout the evening, every element of Old Fashioned Nights reinforced one central idea: tradition does not have to be left behind to evolve.

With Old Fashioned Nights, Monkey Shoulder continues to redefine what whisky culture can look and feel like today. It is a culture that is more inclusive, more social and more expressive, where the perfect serve is the one that brings people together, and where the best twists are the ones that invite everyone to pull up a seat at the bar.

Because some things are worth keeping old-fashioned. Everything else deserves a twist.

 

Monkey Shoulder is not for sale to persons under the age of 18. Please drink responsibly.