First Impressions
When a gin as extraordinary as Monkey 47 turns its hand to sloe gin, expectations are understandably high. The base spirit — with its 47 Black Forest botanicals, its lingonberry signature, and its staggering complexity — is one of the finest gins made anywhere in the world. The question is whether the sloe berry can add to that complexity or whether it merely obscures it.
The answer, happily, is the former. Monkey 47 Sloe Gin is not a conventional sloe gin. It is drier, spicier, and more complex than anything the British hedgerow tradition has produced, and it brings the unmistakable Schwarzwald character of the base spirit into an entirely new context.
The Distillery
Black Forest Distillers in the Schwarzwald region of Germany produce the sloe gin by steeping wild sloe berries — gathered from the surrounding forest, naturally — in their Monkey 47 Dry Gin. The 47-botanical base provides a foundation of extraordinary complexity upon which the sloe berries build. At 29% ABV, it is stronger than most sloe gins (which typically sit at 25-26%), a decision that allows more of the base gin's character to shine through the fruit. The result is a sloe gin that never loses sight of the fact that it is, fundamentally, gin.
Tasting
The nose is immediately distinctive. Eucalyptus and freshly sawn spruce — hallmarks of the Monkey 47 house style — lead, accompanied by redcurrant and sloe berry fruit that is bright rather than jammy. Black pepper adds aromatic spice, toasted nuts contribute a warm, roasted quality, and underneath there are notes of rose, citrus, and blackcurrant that provide dark fruit depth. It is a nose that belongs to no other sloe gin — the Schwarzwald terroir is unmistakable.
On the palate, the balance is exquisite. Spice, berry fruit, spruce wood, and sweetness exist in a harmony that feels effortless but must have been painstakingly achieved. The sweetness of blackberry, blackthorn, and stewed raspberry jam comes forth first — rich and inviting — before being joined by earthy, herbaceous notes of liquorice root and pine that ground the fruit and prevent any slide into cloying sweetness. There is cinnamon and star anise spice adding warmth, and a smooth, silky mouthfeel that lingers beautifully. At 29%, the alcohol provides just enough structure without heat.
The finish is long and spicy-woody — a combination that is unique to this sloe gin. Redcurrant and sloe berry fruitiness persist, woven through with juniper, pepper, and lingering berry sweetness. It is a finish of genuine complexity — you can taste the 47 botanicals working underneath the fruit, adding layers that reveal themselves over time.
How to Drink It
This sloe gin deserves to be sipped neat, at cool room temperature, to appreciate the full scope of what the Schwarzwald brings to the sloe. But it also makes a magnificent Sloe Gin Fizz — the spruce and spice notes create a long drink with far more character than traditional sloe gins can manage. Try it with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic for a simple serve that highlights the herbal complexity.
For a winter cocktail, mix it into a Monkey 47 Hot Toddy — warm it gently with honey, lemon juice, and a cinnamon stick. The spice notes in the gin harmonise with the honey, and the sloe fruit provides a dark, warming richness that is utterly comforting.
The Bottom Line
Monkey 47 Sloe Gin earns an 8.5 for demonstrating that sloe gin need not be a simple, sweet affair. The Black Forest character of the base spirit — the spruce, the eucalyptus, the extraordinary botanical depth — transforms the sloe gin category, creating something that is drier, spicier, and more sophisticated than anything the British tradition offers. At around £38 for a 50cl bottle, it is unquestionably premium, but the complexity justifies the price. For anyone who loves Monkey 47 and wants to explore what it becomes when wild sloe berries enter the conversation, this is an essential bottle.
