With every sip of Monkey 47 gin, savour the essence of the Black Forest

Let’s “be-gin”! Here’s everything you need to know about Monkey 47, a hand-crafted spirit from the Black Forest in Germany.

From the Negroni and French 75 to the Martini and Gin & Tonic, gin has long been a spirit of choice for many. A star ingredient, if you will. Its botanical and herbaceous elements make gin an ideal base during the warmer seasons, especially here in Malaysia. If you’re looking for an artisanal gin that’s both luxurious and premium, we have something right up your alley all the way from Germany’s Black Forest.

Beloved all across the world, the niche gin distiller is committed to offering high quality hand-crafted gin. From its specially created packaging to the produce used, the brand is an embodiment of the expansive area in southwest Germany. Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin comprises 47 ingredients in total. Think lingonberries, chamomile and honey pomelo with many sourced directly from the Black Forest. In addition, the use of Black Forest’s untreated soft spring water — rich in essential oils and natural minerals — has resulted in its mildly cloudy appearance. Another fun tidbit about the brand is that the gin is bottled at 47% ABV. The more you know! 

For the uninitiated, Monkey 47 (housed under the Pernod Ricard umbrella) was established in 2010. The 14-year-old brand, formed by both Alexander Stein and Cristoph Keller, took inspiration from the original formulation by a Wing Commander of the Royal British Air Force the 1940s called Montgomery Collins. How did the “monkey” become such an integral part of Monkey 47’s DNA? It’s said to be based on Collins’ encounter with a Berlin Zoo monkey called Max.

In Monkey 47’s award-winning gin collection, you will find not one but two options: Monkey 47 Dry Gin and Sloe Gin (29% ABV). Both come presented in individually numbered bottles due to the limited annual production. All of the brown glass bottles are UV-protected and are equipped with a metal ring that helps to hold a collectible cork. And that adds to its distinctive allure. 

Whether you opt for the Dry Gin or Sloe Gin, expect to experience a well-balanced spirit that’s crisp, slightly spicy and tangy. This is what makes Monkey 47 the go-to for many mixologists and enthusiasts everywhere. Ideal neat, with ice or as part of cocktails, there’s just something so exceptional about the gin. For an elevated flavour profile, you can even top up with a slice of grapefruit as garnish.

Here in Malaysia, Monkey 47’s very own Brand Ambassador James Ng has been crucial when it comes to educating and promoting its intrinsic qualities. This includes the Barrel Cut and Distiller’s Cut ranges, one-of-a-kind releases that build on the Dry Gin’s already premium characteristics. Take the latter for example: every year, the distiller looks for a very special ingredient (or Spesies rara) to be its 48th ingredient. Previous editions have included the use of Woodruff, Mizunara oak barrels, Monarda didyma and maple syrup.

Ready for a sip? Learn more about Monkey 47 HERE.

(All photos by Monkey 47)