Monkey 47 - Schwarzwald Dry Gin

Monkey 47 is produced at Black Forest Distillers in the Schwarzwald region of Germany, where the dense woodlands provide inspiration and ingredients for this remarkably complex spirit. The gin takes its name from the 47 botanicals used in its production and its 47 percent ABV.

This botanical bill includes Black Forest lingonberries, spruce shoots, bramble leaves, and acacia blossoms alongside more traditional gin ingredients like juniper, coriander, and angelica root. The distillery uses a small 100 litre Arnold Holstein copper still and sources soft spring water from the local area.

After distillation, Monkey 47 rests in traditional earthenware containers for three months before bottling. The style sits firmly in the contemporary gin camp, pushing beyond London Dry conventions while maintaining juniper prominence. The result is a layered, aromatic spirit with remarkable depth.

At the higher proof point, it holds its own in cocktails without getting lost, making an exceptional Negroni or gin and tonic. However, the complexity here rewards sipping neat or with just a splash of water.

For those who appreciate craft and botanical intricacy, Monkey 47 represents German precision applied to gin making with genuinely impressive results.