Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Sloe Gin

Black Forest Distillers built their reputation on Monkey 47, a dry gin of improbable depth drawn from 47 botanicals, many foraged from the German hills around the distillery. This sloe version starts with that same spirit, then macerates it for weeks with sloes hand-picked from the Black Forest. The fruit gives up a deep ruby colour and a sweet-sour weight, while the original botanical bill keeps murmuring underneath. At 29%, it is the softer, more contemplative cousin.

The nose is generous with ripe sloe and red berries, juniper and a fine herbal spice woven through. The palate balances sweet against tart, fruit intensity meeting the pine and the tangle of botanicals beneath, before a long, fruity, lightly spiced finish. Lovely slightly chilled over ice, or stretched into a long drink with soda and a twist of orange.