Black Forest

Introduction:

Monkey 47 Gin is meticulously distilled in small batches. As implied by its name, it boasts a blend of 47 botanicals, encompassing juniper, coriander, sage, spruce shoots, and cranberries sourced from the Black Forest. What sets it apart is its maturation process, occurring in traditional stone jars, unlike the more common glass balloons utilized for Gin storage.

Furthermore, the Black Forest distillery produces Sloe Gin, which also incorporates the same 47 botanicals. This variation is enriched through maceration with freshly hand-picked sloes from the Black Forest.

Adding to their portfolio is the Barrel Cut Gin, an infrequent release crafted only a few times each year. This distinct Gin is matured within handmade casks crafted from lightly toasted mulberry wood.

The Production:

A notable feature is that one – third of the Gin’s ingredients are sourced locally from the region. However, due to insufficient sunlight in the Black Forest, the juniper berries, a key component, are imported from Croatia and Tuscany. Combining these imported juniper berries with other botanicals and the gentle spring water from the Black Forest forms the basis for creating Monkey 47.

During the maceration process, the botanicals steep in alcohol for a duration of 36 hours. Following this, the mixture undergoes distillation. The distillation is conducted using four copper column stills, each with a capacity of 150 liters. These stills are playfully named after renowned monkeys from both film and science: King Louie, Cheetah, Mr. Nielsson, and Miss Baker.

The History:

The inspiration for Monkey 47 Gin originates from a fascinating tale. Commander Montgomery ‘Monty’ Collins, a Royal Air Force member, was stationed in Berlin in July 1945. Following the war, he championed the restoration of Berlin’s zoos and became a sponsor for Max, a monkey. Upon leaving the Royal Air Force, Collins settled in the northern Black Forest and established the country inn ‘Zum wilden Affen’ (The Wild Monkey). As an Englishman and the son of a diplomat with East Asian ties, he desired a fine glass of Gin. Thus, he began crafting Gin himself, blending regional and exotic ingredients to create the first Black Forest Gin.

This story captivated Alexander Stein, a former Nokia executive, who saw the potential of revitalizing the ancient recipe by crafting his own Black Forest Gin. Collaborating with distiller Christoph Keller, the two embarked on the journey of Monkey 47 in 2010, after two years of experimentation. The debut edition, limited to 2,000 bottles, quickly sold out. By 2013, 150,000 bottles had been sold.

With a strong belief in the brand’s prospective triumph, Pernod Ricard Germany acquired the majority stake of Monkey 47 in 2016. Presently, Black Forest Gin is under the complete ownership of Pernod Ricard.

The Visitor Centre:

The Black Forest distillery provides two-hour guided tours at the Schaberhof, available in both German and English. These tours must be pre – booked online. The admission fee covers a Monkey Tonic drink, a voucher for use in the shop, and, naturally, the chance to experience the Gin tasting session.

Visitor information:

Black Forest Distillers GmbH
Äusserer Vogelsberg 7
72290 Loßburg/24 – Höfe
Email: info@monkey47.com