Monkey 47 Sloe Gin 500ml

Distillery Background and History

Monkey 47 is produced by Black Forest Distillers GmbH in Germany, using the famed “Schwarzwald” (Black Forest) as its home. The brand is known for its complex 47-botanical London Dry style gin. The Sloe variant is a seasonal/fruit expression derived from that base, combining local sloe berries with the established gin recipe to create a fruity liqueur version. 

Producer & Production Philosophy

The philosophy behind Monkey 47 Sloe Gin is to merge the rich botanical complexity of the original gin with the wild tannic and fruity character of sloes. They macerate wild, hand-picked sloe berries in the gin for three months to allow gradual extraction of flavor, rather than aggressive infusion. 

Ingredients & Botanical Philosophy

The base gin is built on 47 botanicals, including juniper, citrus peels, herbs, roots, and forest botanicals. In Sloe Gin, sloe (blackthorn) berries are the principal fruit additive.  The slow maceration ensures balance between berry flavor and botanical backbone. 

Maceration & Resting / Treatment

The sloe berries are soaked (macerated) in the gin for three months before bottling.  There’s no barrel aging; the flavor comes entirely from the berries and the botanical base. 

Tasting Notes

Nose: Very aromatic and fruity—ripe red berries, sloe, hints of juniper. Also some pine or forest notes. 

Palate: A blend of earthy, tangy juniper with rich, sweet red berry notes. Hints of almond and marzipan emerge. 

Finish: Nutty and tart finish, with lingering berry character and a touch of spice. 

Food & Serving Pairing Suggestions

Pairs well with fruit-based desserts (berry tarts, pavlova), dark chocolate, soft cheeses (e.g. Brie, Camembert), or charcuterie with dried fruits. It can be enjoyed neat, on ice, or used in cocktails (Sloe Gin Fizz, Sloe Negroni). 

Serving Suggestions and Temperatures

Best served slightly chilled (8-12 °C) or over ice. Use a tulip gin glass or small tasting glass to capture aromatics. Because it’s lower ABV and sweetish, avoid over dilution.

Storage and Aging Potential

Once bottled, it is stable. Store upright in cool, dark conditions. The macerated berry character is best enjoyed within a few years; long-term bottle aging does not significantly evolve it further.

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

29 % ABV (typical for sloe gin as a liqueur style)