MONKEY 47 is a "world-class premium craft gin" made with an abundance of the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, extracted through expert distillation techniques, and aged in antique earthenware for a superior finish. This article introduces the background behind MONKEY 47's exquisite recipe and the story of the brand's founding in 2010.

MONKEY 47 is a gin brand born from a recipe meticulously crafted by Montgomery Collins, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the British Air Force.

Born in Madras, India, in 1909 under British rule, Collins was assigned to govern the British sector of Berlin in 1945. Witnessing the devastated capital deeply affected him, and he resolved to help in Germany's reconstruction.

As part of his reconstruction efforts, he worked to rebuild the Berlin Zoo and became a sponsor for an East Sumatran langur named Max. This event later became the inspiration for naming the gin Collins created "MONKEY 47."

In 1951, after retiring from the British Air Force, Collins moved to the Black Forest. Surrounded by an environment rich in natural spring water and exotic herbs, his interest in gin, the quintessential British beverage, was sparked, and he developed his own unique recipe.

Years later, in 2006, Alexander Stein, a descendant of the Jacobi Brandy founder and former NOKIA manager, who hailed from the Black Forest, learned of Collins' remarkable Black Forest gin recipe. He was inspired by the idea of producing gin using local ingredients and began working towards its revival.

In 2008, Alexander Stein returned to his native Black Forest, established the Black Forest Distillery, and met Christoph Keller, a passionate and renowned local distiller. They formed a partnership, refined the development process, and finalized the recipe, creating an aromatic gin that masterfully blends British tradition, Indian exoticism, and the pristine, natural Black Forest.

Even today, MONKEY 47 is meticulously produced in small batches, distilled to preserve its unique and complex aroma, left unfiltered, and aged for three months in earthenware.

Praised for its "fragrance that could be a perfume," its captivating aroma and the exceptionally complex, balanced taste woven from herbs and fruits create an unparalleled, dominant presence. This is due to the meticulous process of hand-picking all 47 rare botanicals, including those native to the Black Forest, and distilling them with the natural spring water of the Black Forest, renowned as the softest and most mellow water in Europe.

The Black Forest (Schwarzwald in German) is a forest and mountain range located in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, covering an area of approximately 5,180 square kilometers. "Schwarzwald" means "Black Forest" in German. The dense coniferous trees in this forest absorb light, giving it a dark, black appearance.

The reason Alexander Stein, the founder of MONKEY 47, established the distillery in the Black Forest was not only due to its natural beauty and innovative residents but also because it was the source of essential ingredients for MONKEY 47, such as natural spring water and, particularly, aromatic berries and abundant fruits.

Under the crisp air that invites a deep breath, the world's finest craft gin refines its clarity.