Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin

An unusual gin from the Black Forest in Germany, Monkey 47 contains a unique ingredient: Lingonberries! The 47 comes from the number of botanicals that go into this unique gin, and the fact it's bottled at a healthy 47%. It seems that the botanicals speak for themselves, as the gin has received bucketfuls of critical acclaim. Some say less is more, not for Monkey 47 Distilled from 47 predominantly unusual but regional botanicals such as lingonberries and blended with natural spring water. Juniper is prominent on the nose, and intense herbal notes rise up. Monkey 47 takes a sweet and fruity turn at the end. The story of Monkey 47 is attributed to an Indian born British Commander who was stationed in Germany after the second world war. Inspired by the Black Forest through the lens of his family’s heritage he combined British influence, Indian botanicals, and the natural flora of the German forest to create a complex gin he called Schwarzwald Dry Gin, along with the note Max the Monkey. This Commander also helped rebuild the world-famous Berlin zoo, and during the course of this he came to support Max, an egret monkey, who lived in the zoo. So it might seem natural that years after the fact in retirement, he retained an affection for the monkey he sponsored, and when he made his gin, he named it after him. Nose: Oh there is a lot going on here... woody, vegetable smells under pin fresh grassy citrus notes and botanical sweetness, like a pine forest after the rain. Palate: Predictably complex, this is a robust and powerful gin with plenty of spice, fruit and herb flavours. It's very well structured, and difficult to unpick but a citrus fresh start segues into pine and wood notes for a drying finish. Finish: Wooded and reassuringly heavy. 47% ABV / 92 Proof