Monkey 47 Dry Gin

You know when you click that little magnifying glass up top on the Distiller page, filtered to all spirits, this little gem sits at the top of the list and has for some time ( well, when filtered by distiller score that is ). Only problem is ~ I'm not much of a Gin drinker at all. My first and last experience with Gin was when I was a wee lad. It was Gordons, at room temperature, out of a plastic solo cup. I vowed at that moment never to touch the stuff again. And here I am staring down a neat pour of Monkey 47 in a Glencairn. I am a whiskey and bourbon lover through and through but do realize the need to expand my horizons. And I'm nothing if not an equal opportunist. Upon first whiff the nose screams citrus zest. There is also a woodsy under layer that I presume is Juniper? When you take in the nose even deeper, earthier notes arise like lemongrass and ginger. The taste is of Gin seems to be inherently milder than most whiskey so I'll try my best on the palate here. There is an incredibly prominent sweetness here. Woodsy Juniper and candied grapefruit peel lead the charge. On the back of the taste, pepper rides in leaving the tongue a bit prickly of sorts. There's some woodsy, sweet pine sap there too underlying the whole taste. The finish seems to dry up but also keeps lingering spice. Tannins with peppercorn, lemongrass and juniper linger. How very surprising - this Gin has a long lasting finish similar to a good whiskey. This gin is absolutely lovely. I haven't had Gin in some 20 years, so I don't have a reference point. And I'm not sure if this is blasphemy for the Gin-devout here but I can't wait to try this in a Gin and Tonic or even on the rocks.

Bourbon Snob Tries Gin: Part 6 Part 5: Uncle Val’s Botanical Part 7, 1/7/25: The Botanist >>>~~~~~~~~~~<<< I have not had too many gins. It’s been years since I’ve tried one. I don’t really know the language or the flavor profiles that make sense when describing gin. If I could, I’d try doing in it mandarin. That was a bad citrus pun. This is a bourbon snob trying to understand gin. Much thanks to @ContemplativeFox for the pour! >>>~~~~~~~~~~<<< Nose is brine, lemon peel. Pine. Body is lemon, celery, brine. Finish is pine, more brine. In the fruit department, this one is straight peel. It’s not bad, but middle of the road for gins I’ve had so far.

Delicious nose full of juniper, berries, fruitiness, herbal freshness, spices. Smooth in the mouth, warm and tingly afterwards, flavors more junipery at first, then spicier before settling on a slightly herbal, velvety berry aftertaste. Tonic quells the fruitiness and berries and makes it more herbal, spicy and earthy and a little too bitter. Definitely better enjoyed neat or with a very light tonic at a low ratio.

A perfect blend of juniper and lemony citrus on the nose, with some softer floral and herbal notes. Flavorwise, the gin is quite brisk and lively with juniper, cheery with citrus, peppery with herbs, and all wrapped in a powerful and clean 94 proof spirit. This makes a remarkable Martini, but also works well as the base in any number of gin cocktails and punches. A true beauty of a gin.

I dont know gin profiles, but this one is dangerously good. So many flavors. N: Lemon slight juniper and floral P: My gin knowledge is limited so cant really describe it other than complex. Whenever you swish it in your mouth several disinct flavors appear one after another. F: floral to spice, back to floral.

The florals and smoothness of Monkey is amazing. It is a Gin that doesn't just sit in the background. It hits you smack in the face and says I'm here, pay attention to me. Amazing Gin even in a nice Lemon Drop Martini.