Monkey 47 Dry Gin

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 kid. It was Gordons, at room temperature, out of a plastic 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 guy tries gin for the sixth time. Previous: Uncle Val’s Botanical Next: The Botanist >>>~~~~~~~~~~<<< I haven't sampled many gins. It's been ages since my last one. I'm not familiar with the proper terms or flavor profiles for describing gin. I wish I could describe it in Mandarin. That was a cheesy joke about citrus. This is a bourbon enthusiast's attempt to understand gin. Big thanks to a friend for the taste! >>>~~~~~~~~~~<<< Smells like brine and lemon zest. Pine notes. Taste is lemon, celery, and brine. The aftertaste has pine and more brine. Regarding the fruit notes, this is purely zest. It's acceptable, but average compared to the gins I've had thus far.

The aroma is rich with juniper, berries, fruitiness, herbaceous freshness, and spices. It feels smooth in the mouth, leaving a warm tingle afterward. The initial flavors are predominantly juniper, then shift to spicier notes before concluding with a subtly herbaceous, velvety berry finish. Adding tonic diminishes the fruitiness and berries, making it more herbaceous, spicy, and earthy, with a touch too much bitterness. It's certainly best enjoyed neat or with a very minimal amount of tonic.

A perfect blend of juniper and lemony citrus on the nose, accompanied by softer floral and herbal undertones. Flavor-wise, the gin is quite crisp and vibrant, featuring juniper, bright citrus, peppery herbs, all enveloped in a potent and clean 94 proof spirit. It makes an exceptional Martini and also performs admirably as the foundation for various gin cocktails and punches. A truly beautiful gin.

I'm unfamiliar with gin types, but this is remarkably good. So many tastes. Nose: Lemon, a hint of juniper and floral notes. P: My gin knowledge is insufficient for a detailed description, but it's complex. As you swirl it, distinct flavors emerge sequentially. F: Transitions from floral to spicy, then back to floral.

The floral notes and smoothness of Monkey are incredible. It's a Gin that demands attention, announcing its presence boldly. Amazing Gin, even in a well-made Lemon Drop Martini.