A good martini is a thing of beauty (gin, not vodka!!). My aunt was convinced sherry was medicinal and literally kept it in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. Reply Monkey's Experimentum Series is another limited edition that constantly pushes the boundaries of what is sensorially feasible. It started with 2y01,where the Gin was fat-washed with Kobe Beef. Since then, six more expressions followed. History of Monkey 47 Gin Stein, who hails from a family of distillers, came across this story in 2006. A few years later, he joined with the respected distiller, Keller, and this led to what I think just might be the world’s favorite cult gin just a decade or so later.

I am a whisky man, but I do occasionally dabble. During my time in Asia, I have had to find an alternative to “my main squeeze” in the summer months and a gin and tonic is quite perfect to refresh of an eveningBabies being dropped, rotting corpses dumped into cheap coffins, houses collapsing, half-naked women slumped senseless in the street. It is an apocalyptic scene. And, fortunately, one that is a long way from the amazing gin scene of today. Monkey 47 has an honored place in our household. As a Martini with Dolin, a G&T, or even a Tom Collins. I can’t drink another gin now, barring the odd Tanqueray 10 Martini with a twist of lemon! Made to an old family recipe where sloes are steeped in Hayman’s Gin for several months before sugar is added. Deliciously fruity with notes of plum and a hint of nuttiness. There are two core expressions in the Monkey 47 range, the Schwarzwald Dry Gin and the Sloe Gin. In addition to this, each year the distillery releases a “Distiller’s Cut” – a one off limited edition focussed around highlighting a specific botanical. I will confess that the first time I heard mention of a gin called Monkey 47 I assumed it must fall very much in the novelty category. Then I got to try it and it has been my favorite gin ever since, albeit often hard to find in Australia.

On the palate, the flavors change a bit. The spirit is smooth with rich mint, pine, herbal, and citrus notes balanced by hints of floral flavors. Once the full flavor develops, you can taste more peppery and vegetal notes. Recently, Pernod Ricard (an international mega empire for drinks), which already owned a stake, took over the entire company. Hopefully, that will mean that Monkey 47 becomes a little more accessible. Both sloes and mulberries have been soaked in Chase GB Gin, followed by a short ageing in Rhone Valley red wine casks. Tasty notes of dark fruits, red wine and Christmas spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. There’s also Hayman’s Spiced Sloe Gin, which is made using an additional mix of seasonal spices. Expect notes of ginger, plum, peppercorns, jammy strawberry and earthy juniper. Monkey 47 is a beautifully complex spirit, combining various aromas and flavors. It's a fresh and fruity spirit with unexpected yet pleasant nuances.With only rudimental records and no original recipe - recreating the historic Montgomery Collins recipe was always going to be a challenge. Only descriptions from eyewitnesses and a few key facts (such as the use of spruce fruits, classical gin ingredients and lingonberries), the pair decided to recreate the gin as best they could by embracing the bigger idea behind it rather than get too caught up with the specifics of what may or may not have been in the original formula. The complexity of aromas and flavours is nothing short of astonishing. There are dark cherries, toasted almonds, marzipan and much much more. Spices, florals, lemon notes, orange rind. We are told that lingonberries make a major contribution. Possibly, but I have no idea what a lingonberry looks like or how one tastes. This gin is no shrinking violet, but is powerful and very long. Richly flavored, finely balanced, very complex. Refreshing, almost biting acidity, but it is never intrusive. Over time, it's not just established itself as one of the biggest names in the Gin category, it's become the brand that so many other producers look towards as a reference point for how to position a "premium" offering.