Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin 375mL
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin is a 375mL dry gin bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof), batch-distilled by Black Forest Distillers in Lossburg, Germany, from 47 meticulously selected botanicals. Founder Alexander Stein built the gin with master distiller Christoph Keller around a lost Black Forest recipe, and roughly a third of the botanicals — spruce, lingonberries, sloe berries, elderflower and bramble leaves among them — come from the Black Forest itself, prepared with soft local spring water. The distilled gin matures in traditional earthenware vessels and is bottled unfiltered. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 47% (94 proof)
- Size: 375mL (US bottling)
- Botanicals: 47, including Black Forest spruce, lingonberries, sloe berries, elderflower and bramble leaves
- Production: Batch-distilled; matured in traditional earthenware vessels; unfiltered
- Origin: Lossburg, Black Forest (Schwarzwald), Germany
- Founder: Alexander Stein, with master distiller Christoph Keller
A Black Forest Gin Built on 47 Botanicals
The recipe Stein revived traces to Montgomery "Monty" Collins, a British RAF officer posted to Berlin in 1946 who sponsored a Berlin Zoo monkey named Max — the monkey on the label — before settling in the Black Forest and distilling his own Schwarzwald dry gin. Launched in 2010, Monkey 47 layers classic gin botanicals over forest fruit and spruce, with the local lingonberry acting as what brand copy calls the recipe's secret weapon. Explore the distillery on the Monkey 47 vendor page, or browse our gin collection.
Tasting Notes
Per the brand: a distinct, pure juniper scent with tangy, crisp citrus and a sweet floral aroma; a hint of peppery spice and subtle bitter fruit; deep, harmoniously balanced complexity with a racy finish.
How to Enjoy
Built for a serious gin and tonic, and concentrated enough to anchor a Martini or Negroni from a half-bottle format. More gin is in our gin collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Monkey 47?
For the 47 botanicals in the recipe — and it is bottled at 47% ABV. The monkey is Max, the Berlin Zoo monkey sponsored by the recipe's originator, Montgomery Collins.
What size is Monkey 47 in the US?
This listing is the genuine US 375mL bottling at 47% ABV. The 500mL bottle sold in Europe is the home-market format.
Where is Monkey 47 made?
In Lossburg, in Germany's Black Forest, by Black Forest Distillers — batch-distilled, matured in earthenware vessels and bottled unfiltered.
Forty-seven botanicals in a half bottle — order Monkey 47 online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.