Cape Town's whisky scene is evolving, and it's no longer reserved for special occasions or seasoned connoisseurs.
That shift was on display at The Athletic Club & Social on Buitengracht Street, where blended Scotch whisky brand Monkey Shoulder hosted an immersive Old Fashioned Cocktail Experience, inviting guests to explore a more modern and accessible approach to whisky.
Instead of neat pours and traditional tastings, the evening centred around one of the world's most iconic cocktails – the Old Fashioned.
Crafted with 60ml of Monkey Shoulder whisky, bitters, sugar, and citrus, the drink showcased how Scotch is increasingly finding its place in contemporary cocktail culture.
The event reflected a broader change in South Africa's whisky market, where premium spirits are becoming less about status and more about shared experiences.
Monkey Shoulder, produced by William Grant & Sons in Scotland's Speyside region, is a blended malt whisky made from single malts sourced from Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie distilleries.
Its unusual name pays homage to the maltmen who once turned germinating barley by hand, a physically demanding job that sometimes left workers with a temporary shoulder strain nicknamed "monkey shoulder".
South Africa has become one of the world's largest Scotch whisky export markets by volume, with whisky now the country's most widely consumed spirit. The category has steadily overtaken brandy among younger consumers, who are embracing whisky through cocktails, food pairings and social experiences rather than reserving premium bottles for milestone celebrations.
The profile of the typical whisky drinker is also changing. Once considered a predominantly male space, the category is attracting a younger and more diverse audience, including a growing number of black middle-class women who are reshaping perceptions of whisky.
As the cocktails flowed, guests settled into the venue's elegant surrounds before the atmosphere shifted into party mode, with husband-and-wife DJ duo The Dlamini Duo providing the soundtrack for the evening.
The launch served as more than a brand showcase. It offered a glimpse into how Cape Town's food and drink culture continues to evolve, with premium whisky becoming less about tradition and more about connection, creativity and enjoying the moment.
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