Monkey 47 gin is expensive due to its 47 hand-picked botanicals, complex small-batch production in Germany's Black Forest, and a smaller 500ml bottle size compared to standard 700ml/750ml bottles.
If there is a sticking point with our reviewers, it may be the higher price point of Monkey 47. “This gin is for the gin enthusiast who likes a lot of flavor and proof, not for the budget minded, as it is quite pricey,” says Bezuidenhout. Morganthaler finds the higher price worth it for some drinkers, however.
Monkey 47 gin is a rare, aromatic blend of 47 botanicals from the heart of the Black Forest and India. Meticulously crafted with lingonberries, hand-peeled citrus fruits, herbs, flowers and spices, it is produced in batches using traditional distilling methods.
There is no single highest rated gin in the world because major global competitions name different winners each year. Top-awarded bottles include Clarity Distilling Company Navy Gin, Tanqueray No. TEN, and Monkey 47, which consistently score highest at events like the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The world's most expensive commercially produced gin is Morus LXIV by Jam Jar Gin, alongside ultra-luxury contenders like Watenshi Gin and Nolet's Reserve.
The top ten popular and well-loved gin brands include Tanqueray, Hendrick's Gin, and Bombay Sapphire. These choices span classic London dry styles, floral infusions, and craft favorites known around the world.
The best overall gin in the UK is widely considered to be No. 3 London Dry Gin, praised for its exceptional balance, precision, and classic flavor profile.
Monkey 47 gin gets its name from two specific things: 47, which stands for the 47 different plant ingredients used to make it, and Monkey, which honors a pet monkey named Max.
Gins similar in complex, herbaceous, and forest-forward profiles to Monkey 47 include Elephant Gin, St. George Terroir Gin, and Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin.
Monkey 47 and Fever Tree Indian Tonic Water are the perfect ingredients for making a gin and tonic as wild and intense as the Black Forest from which the distillate comes. To make it, take a Highball glass, fill it with ice and add 5cl of Monkey 47 Gin. Top with the tonic and garnish of your choice!
For customers looking for a premium gin for martinis, gin and tonics, Negronis, Gibsons, or elevated cocktails, Monkey 47 is one of the most recognizable modern craft gin options.
MONKEY 47 is an exceptional gin with a very different recipe. First, there are 47 hand-picked botanicals carefully selected to find just the perfect blend. Second, it's prepared with water from the Black Forest region, which is known to be very soft. Finally, we allow the distillate to rest for at least three months.
MONKEY 47 combines an unusually rich composition of 47 botanicals, bringing together familiar aromas native to the Black Forest with spices stemming from India. This distinctive combination results in a gin of notable depth and character, marked by a complex and layered aromatic profile.
Myth 3: Drinking hard liquor is worse than drinking beer or wine. Contrary to popular belief, the type of alcohol you drink doesn't make a difference – what matters is how much you drink. "The safe limit is fixed at 14 units a week," explains Dr Lui. "Below this limit, alcoholic fatty liver is less likely to occur.
The Bottom Line. To be clear, gin isn't a miracle food, and any alcohol should be consumed in moderation—two drinks or less per day for men and one drink or less per day for women, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A standard serving of wine is generally more fattening than a neat shot of gin, but the total calories depend heavily on your Drinkaware pour size and choice of mixers.
The smoothest gins to drink straight include Tanqueray No. TEN, Monkey 47, and Nikka Coffey Gin, which offer balanced citrus and complex, soft botanical profiles ideal for neat sipping.
Great gift gins include Isle of Harris Gin, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, and Monkey 47. These choices offer stunning bottles, unique flavor profiles, and a premium feel that makes them stand out.
The poshest or most luxurious gins include ultra-premium options like Watenshi Gin by Cambridge Distillery, Nolet's Reserve, and Monkey 47. These brands define high-end status through rare ingredients, meticulous small-batch distillation, and extravagant presentation.
Gin can remain drinkable for up to 2 years once opened but we'd recommend getting to the end of the bottle within a year. As gin doesn't technically “go off”, it won't do you any harm, but if drinking it a year or more after opening it may not taste particularly nice and won't be anywhere near as crisp as it should.
The best value gin depends on your cocktail of choice. For classic juniper-forward mixing, Beefeater London Dry or Gordon's are undisputed champions. If you want craft quality without the premium price tag, Fords Gin balances botanicals perfectly for martinis, while Australian favorites like Four Pillars offer complex, native-driven profiles.
