The whisky made for mixing brought its signature cocktail experience to The Birmingham in Parkhurst, challenging traditional perceptions of how whisky is enjoyed
Monkey Shoulder, the whisky made for mixing, brought its Old Fashioned Nights experience to Johannesburg on Thursday, 16 July 2026, transforming The Birmingham in Parkhurst into an evening that celebrated cocktails, creativity and a new way of experiencing whisky.
Inspired by the question, “Who says old-fashioned has to be old fashioned?”, the Johannesburg experience explored what it means to put a twist on tradition. While the Old Fashioned remained at the heart of the evening, the twist extended far beyond the cocktail itself, challenging the idea that whisky should only be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Instead, Monkey Shoulder invited guests to experience whisky as something more approachable,versatile and made for mixing – demonstrating that there is more than one way to enjoy the spirit.
The Birmingham is a women-owned and women-led venue, with female bartenders serving every guest the evening’s Old Fashioned with a Twist. Their presence behind the bar created a powerful visual and experiential expression of the changing face of whisky culture, subtly challenging the traditionally male-dominated perceptions often associated with the category. The evening brought together media, tastemakers, creators and whisky enthusiasts for an intimate experience centred around cocktails, music, conversation and good company. With its mix of classic influences and modern energy, the event embodied Monkey Shoulder’s belief that the best traditions are often the ones that leave room for reinvention.
“Old Fashioned Nights is about more than simply putting a twist on a classic cocktail. It is about putting a twist on the way people think about whisky,” says Trish from the Dlamini Duo. “Whisky does not have to be intimidating or reserved for a particular kind of drinker. Through mixing and cocktails, Monkey Shoulder continues to show that whisky can be approachable, versatile and enjoyed by everyone.”
The Johannesburg edition of Old Fashioned Nights reinforced the campaign’s central message: that whisky culture is evolving, and there is space for new perspectives, new rituals and new ways to enjoy the spirit.Because while some things are worth keeping old fashioned, everything else deserves a twist.
