An unusual gin from the Black Forest in Germany, Monkey 47 contains a unique ingredient. No, not that! 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!
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.
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.
Wooded and reassuringly heavy.
A unique gin, that is crying out to be made into a Martini. It'll need an equally robust vermouth though.
The only gin I will drink
Most complex yet very smooth. I have it neat, and every sip is better than the previous! Really worth every penny. I especially like the complex lemon notes from the numerous lemony herbs and fruit. Really fantastic.
I had a Monkey 47 with Thomas Henry Grapefruit lemonade at the Tate Modern last night and thought it was fabulous.
I would buy a lot of different gins and I thought this gin was totally average. Wouldn't buy it again. Far better gins available than this. Disappointed.
I try any/every gin--and have never encountered a "favorite" (depends...on the weather, time of day, cocktail recipe, etc.). The Monkey sorta reminds me of Hendrick's-- "contemporary" style, fruity--but smoother, more complex, well balanced, weightier. It's almost like a gin liqueur! So far, I can't bear to drown it in a cocktail: All by itself, in a thin-crystal glass...over one perfect rock. Dazzling.
