Review: Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Gin 2024
Monkey 47‘s annual special edition is upon is. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, or the gin, the standard Monkey 47 uses a whopping 47 botanicals in its complex, winning recipe. Every year a special version with a 48th ingredient arrives for a limited time. 2024 marks the 14th installment of the Distiller’s Cut series.
What’s the secret ingredient for DC14? Mediterranean Capparis — which we know better as the caper. These are harvested from the island of Pantelleria — which is best known around here as the home of Donnafugata wines.
Here’s more backstory than you probably ever wanted on the release:
Inspired by the classic Italian dish of pasta with anchovies and capers, Monkey 47 discovered the tiny island of Pantelleria, the so-called Black Pearl of the Mediterranean, just off the toe of Italy – where caper bushes bedecked with fleshy leaves and delicate flowers thrive amid the volcanic soil and warm climate. Once on the nine-mile-long enchanting volcanic island, Monkey 47’s journey led it to La Nicchia di Pantelleria, a small local farm steeped in a 75-year family tradition in the art of caper production. With Monkey 47 being a gin steeped in Black Forest traditions and meticulously hand-crafted, a partnership with La Nicchia seemed very natural.
The capers, closed flower buds, are carefully picked by hand shortly before they bloom. They undergo a meticulous two-step salting process, the first of which is crucial for developing a tangy and slightly pungent flavor. A second salting to help with the maturing process, releases a unique and distinctive flavor: nutty, pure and elegant, with a pronounced sweetness and an intense aroma.
The addition of La Nicchia di Pantelleria’s passionately produced capers is a perfect match to elevate the complex yet elegant aromas of Monkey 47 Dry Gin: once rinsed, the capers were added to the macerate before the distillation process operated some magic. The result is Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Edition 14 – a spicy and elegant dry gin, with a hint of the sea, sweetly nutty, against a background of exceptional density and complexity.
“Each year, our Distiller’s Cuts lets us go wild and push the boundaries of the Monkey 47 aromas,” Alexander Stein, founder of Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin, said. “We realized that capers can be more than just a garnish for a tried-and-tested pasta recipe. Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Edition 14 – Capparis offers a remarkable flavor experience – and not only for those who want to think themselves away onto that small volcanic island in the Mediterranean.”
Staying true to Monkey 47’s rich heritage and the constant pursuit of quality, the Distiller’s Cut Edition 14 bottle is a definite collectable. The label’s green tone exudes the colour of the salted capers, while the bottle’s distinctive bottleneck ring – engraved with the words ‘ex pluribus unum’ (Latin for ‘one out of many’) – is gold-coated for the annual limited release. The gift box is created with sustainable FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) paper, and its sophisticated design shows off the brand decorative wallpaper, with a series of cheeky monkeys and the new unique label colorway in a refined understated manner.
“There is always huge excitement and wonderous anticipation with what the Monkey 47 team conjure up for the annual limited-edition Distillers Cut – and as with every year, they have not disappointed,” Muriel Dessenis, Global VP Marketing Gins at Pernod Ricard, said. “The legendary 48th botanical for the 2024 Distiller’s Cut once again pushes the boundaries of what a conventional gin tastes like. Consumers should seize the day – or caper diem as we say – and consider grabbing this limited-edition bottle before its gone!”
Gin lovers and cocktail enthusiasts are encouraged to join Monkey 47’s pursuit of ‘Wunderbar’ adventures and discover a coveted bottle of Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Edition 14 near them.
And here we go!
Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Gin 2024 Review
A big, traditional nose on the gin exudes London Dry vibes, offering sharp notes of fresh juniper and olive brine. Touches of dried lemon peel, rosemary, and black pepper orbit the core aromatics, alongside vague floral notes.
The palate is quite briny and engaging, halfway to a martini in the way that Citadelle’s Vive le Cornichon is. The impression is more immediately of slightly underripe green olive than capers, but the latter are definitely in the wheelhouse. Earthy, chewy, and bright with mixed green herbs that run from juniper to sage, and eventually to mint, this is seemingly a celebration of the color green in every edible form you can imagine. Even the label of the bottle is green. As for capers, they don’t make an obvious appearance, but that’s not really a big concern. Poured on the rocks, splashed with vermouth, or garnished with a cocktail onion, Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Edition 14 sings with its savory goodness. Keep this one away from your Aviations and Negronis — it’s Martini material through and through, though with the right tonic you’ll also be in perfectly good hands.
94 proof.
A / $80 (375ml) [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Monkey 47 Distiller's Cut Gin 2024
$80
