Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin 375ML

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin 375ML is a 47-botanical dry gin from Germany's Black Forest region, bottled at 47% ABV in a 375ml format. Awarded a 94/100 by Tastings.com, this expression stands apart in the craft gin world for its unprecedented botanical complexity — 47 individual ingredients sourced largely from the Schwarzwald countryside.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47%  |  Origin: Schwarzwald (Black Forest), Germany  |  Style: Dry Gin  |  Distillery: Black Forest Distillers

Production & Heritage

Monkey 47 was created by Alexander Stein and master distiller Christoph Keller at Black Forest Distillers in Durbach, Germany. The production begins with a French molasses-based neutral spirit at 96.4% ABV — a departure from the grain-based spirit most London dry gins employ. All 47 botanicals are macerated in this spirit along with local Black Forest spring water before undergoing distillation. Among those botanicals, Black Forest lingonberries serve as the signature ingredient, contributing a tart berry character that distinguishes Monkey 47 from virtually every other gin on the market. The name itself references the 47 botanicals, the 47% ABV, and the distillery's connection to Commander T.E.A. Montgomery Collins, a British officer who settled in the Black Forest after World War II.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens bright and lifted with rose petal and citrus before giving way to juniper and pine resin. Beneath those top notes lies an intricate web of earthy wood spice, rosemary, and a subtle vegetal quality that hints at the sheer number of botanicals at work.

Taste: On entry, the palate delivers a surprising sweetness — blackberry, stewed raspberry jam, and ripe peach — before transitioning into a densely herbal mid-palate loaded with evergreen, black pepper, and crisp apple. At peak intensity, deep earthy tones emerge: forest floor, smoldering embers, and licorice root anchor the profile. The mouthfeel is rich and oily for a gin, carrying all 47 botanicals without letting any single note dominate.

Finish: Long and layered, with lingering pine, lingonberry tartness, and a faint campfire smokiness that slowly fades. The black pepper note returns on the close, leaving a warm, dry spice that invites another sip.

How to Drink Monkey 47

Neat or with a single ice cube is the purist's approach, and at 47% ABV, a small splash of water helps unlock deeper herbal layers without dulling the spirit. This gin's botanical density also makes it remarkably versatile in cocktails. A Gin & Tonic with a premium tonic and a sprig of rosemary showcases the pine and herbal character beautifully. A Negroni benefits from the gin's earthy backbone and berry sweetness, which stand up to Campari's bitterness. A Bramble is a natural match — the lingonberry notes in the gin amplify the cocktail's blackberry liqueur base for a harmonious fruit-forward result.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who thinks they've tried everything
• Hosting a blind tasting comparing European craft gins
• Building a home bar with a distinctive, conversation-starting spirit
• Sampling a premium gin in the smaller 375ml format before committing to a full bottle

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Monkey 47 taste like? Monkey 47 delivers a layered profile that moves from sweet berry and citrus fruit into dense herbal and evergreen territory, finishing with earthy forest floor, black pepper, and lingering pine. It is uncommonly complex for a gin, reflecting its 47-botanical recipe.

How does Monkey 47 compare to Hendrick's Gin? Both are unconventional gins that lean away from a juniper-forward London dry style, but Monkey 47 uses 47 botanicals on a molasses base while Hendrick's uses 11 botanicals on a grain base infused with rose and cucumber. Monkey 47 is noticeably more complex and earthy, whereas Hendrick's is lighter and more floral.

Is Monkey 47 good for sipping neat? Yes — its extraordinary botanical complexity and balanced 47% ABV make it one of the most rewarding gins to sip on its own, and Tastings.com awarded it a 94/100 specifically as a sipping spirit.

Where is Monkey 47 made? Monkey 47 is distilled at Black Forest Distillers in Durbach, located in the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) region of southwestern Germany. Local spring water and regionally foraged botanicals are integral to production.

What foods pair well with Monkey 47? Smoked salmon or trout, where the gin's pine and pepper complement the smoke. Aged gouda or Gruyère, which echo the earthy depth. Fresh berries with cream, playing off the lingonberry character. Herb-crusted lamb, matching the rosemary and evergreen notes. Dark chocolate with sea salt, bridging the spirit's bitter and sweet elements.

What sizes does Monkey 47 come in? Monkey 47 is commonly available in 375ml and 750ml formats, with the 375ml size offering an accessible way to experience this premium gin.

Is Monkey 47 worth the price? Monkey 47 positions firmly in the ultra-premium gin tier, and its 47-botanical recipe, small-batch German production, and critical acclaim justify that placement — particularly for drinkers seeking complexity that rivals aged spirits.

Why Monkey 47?

No other widely available gin uses 47 individual botanicals — most rely on fewer than a dozen. That number is not a gimmick; each ingredient contributes to a layered, evolving drinking experience that has earned critical recognition including a 94/100 from Tastings.com. The molasses base spirit, rather than a traditional grain neutral, adds a subtle richness that helps carry the dense botanical load. For gin drinkers who find standard London drys too narrow or flavored gins too sweet, Monkey 47 occupies a rare space: genuinely complex, rooted in a specific place, and unlike anything else in the category.