Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin

Monkey 47 is a premium gin that traces its origins back to the mid-20th century in Germany's Black Forest. The recipe was originally conceptualized by Montgomery 'Monty' Collins, a British Royal Air Force commander stationed in Berlin after WWII. Collins later settled in the Black Forest, where he developed a gin that combined British traditions with local ingredients. The brand was officially revived and launched in 2010 by Alexander Stein and master distiller Christoph Keller.

The gin is famously crafted using 47 different botanicals, many of which are sourced directly from the Black Forest region, including lingonberries. Production remains strictly focused on traditional methods, featuring small-batch distillation in copper stills and aging in traditional earthenware vessels to ensure a complex and balanced flavor profile.

In 2016, the beverage giant Pernod Ricard acquired a majority stake in Black Forest Distillers, eventually taking full ownership of the brand. This acquisition has allowed Monkey 47 to expand its global footprint while maintaining its specialized production at the 'Zum Wilden Affen' distillery in Loßburg, Germany.