Upending the staid image of gin is Monkey 47, a new style of gin that has been impressing afficionados and bartenders since hitting the market in 2011.
When one thinks about drinks from Germany, the automatic response is usually ‘beer’. After all, that is the country’s national drink. Some of you with a more refined palate may prefer the deliciously refreshing Riesling wines, while those who love to down shots would probably say ‘Jägermeister’.
What about gin?
Gin is hardly something people associate with Germany, but there is one Germany-made brand of this alcoholic drink that has been making a big impression on both afficionados and bartenders since it hit the market in 2011. Let us introduce you to Monkey 47.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The secret to the success of Monkey 47 lies in its brand name; in particular, the number ‘47’. It refers to the incredible blend of 47 different botanicals that goes into the distillation process of this gin.
Gins are distilled with flavour-rich botanicals — chief of which is juniper, which imparts most of the taste that makes gin, well, gin. But most productions only deal with 12 or fewer botanicals. The inclusion of 47 botanicals makes this particular brand of gin much more complex than others. A third of these botanicals are sourced from deep within the Black Forest region — where Black Forest Distillers, the makers of this gin, hail from — including lingonberries, spruce tips and sloe berries. They also exclusively use fresh citrus peels, both grapefruit and lemon, to capture the fruits’ essential oils, which would not be as much in the dried variety.
Also making a difference to the character of Monkey 47 is the fact that the base spirit is derived not from grains but from beet molasses, while the water used in the process is the renowned soft water of the Black Forest.
Monkey 47 Gin is also, at 47% ABV, at a higher alcoholic level, which allows it to carry more flavours and aromas.
TASTING NOTES
Sniff Monkey 47 Gin and you’re greeted with bright citrus and slight floral notes, before the fragrance opens up with some mild fresh pepper. On the first sip, you’ll notice plenty of zesty citrus, light spices, fruitiness and slight herbal notes, finishing with some notes of berries.
This complexity is also why bartenders love creating new cocktails using Monkey 47 as the base, as they can play off and enhance a wide variety of flavours.
EXCLUSIVELY FOR AA MEMBERS
Don’t like gin? Trust us, this is not your father’s gin! Give it a try, especially now that Monkey 47 is offering a special deal for AA. AA Members can enjoy additional $10 OFF from 15 December 2020 to 15 January 2021, just by using the promo code PERN10MKD at Shopee !
DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Enjoy your gin drinking responsibly. If you know that you’re going to be having a tipple or two, forgo your vehicle and hail a taxi or use taxi/private car hire apps before and after the session. Never mix drinking with driving — this will not only keep you and other road users free from harm, but also save you a pretty penny.
If you are convicted of drink-driving, you are liable for a fine between $2,000 and $10,000 and/or up to one year’s jail for a first-time offence. Repeat offenders can expect to be fined between $5,000 and $20,000, and up to two years’ jail.
