Black Forest’s Monkey 47 launches limited-edition Distiller’s Cut with 48th botanical from the Black Pearl of the Mediterranean

NEW YORK, October 14, 2024 – Monkey 47, the ultra-premium dry gin from Germany’s Black Forest, announces the release of the 14th edition of its coveted Distiller’s Cut gin, with an exclusive number of bottles available in the U.S. Every year, Monkey 47 which is made with 47 carefully selected botanicals, goes on the hunt for a species rara – one extra special botanical to turn its signature Schwarzwald Dry Gin into a limited-edition Distiller’s Cut. Today, Monkey 47 unveiled Capparis, better known as capers, as the species rara (48th botanical) in the 14th Distiller’s Cut edition – a distillate to thrill the senses and set the hearts of bartenders and gin enthusiasts alike, racing. 

Inspired by the classic Italian dish of pasta with anchovies and capers, Monkey 47 discovered the tiny island of Pantelleria, the so-called Black Pearl of the Mediterranean, just off the toe of Italy – where caper bushes bedecked with fleshy leaves and delicate flowers thrive amid the volcanic soil and warm climate. Once on the nine-mile-long enchanting volcanic island, Monkey 47’s journey led it to La Nicchia di Pantelleria, a small local farm steeped in a 75-year family tradition in the art of caper production. With Monkey 47 being a gin steeped in Black Forest traditions and meticulously hand-crafted, a partnership with La Nicchia seemed very natural.  

The capers, closed flower buds, are carefully picked by hand shortly before they bloom. They undergo a meticulous two-step salting process, the first of which is crucial for developing a tangy and slightly pungent flavor. A second salting to help with the maturing process, releases a unique and distinctive flavor: nutty, pure and elegant, with a pronounced sweetness and an intense aroma.  

The addition of La Nicchia di Pantelleria’s passionately produced capers is a perfect match to elevate the complex yet elegant aromas of Monkey 47 Dry Gin: once rinsed, the capers were added to the macerate before the distillation process operated some magic. The result is Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Edition 14 – a spicy and elegant dry gin, with a hint of the sea, sweetly nutty, against a background of exceptional density and complexity.  

“Each year, our Distiller’s Cuts lets us go wild and push the boundaries of the Monkey 47 aromas,” Alexander Stein, founder of Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin, said. “We realized that capers can be more than just a garnish for a tried-and-tested pasta recipe. Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Edition 14 – Capparis  offers a remarkable flavor experience – and not only for those who want to think themselves away onto that small volcanic island in the Mediterranean.” 

Staying true to Monkey 47’s rich heritage and the constant pursuit of quality, the Distiller’s Cut Edition 14 bottle is a definite collectable. The label's green tone exudes the colour of the salted capers, while the bottle’s distinctive bottleneck ring – engraved with the words ‘ex pluribus unum’ (Latin for ‘one out of many’) – is gold-coated for the annual limited release. The gift box is created with sustainable FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) paper, and its sophisticated design shows off the brand decorative wallpaper, with a series of cheeky monkeys and the new unique label colorway in a refined understated manner.  

“There is always huge excitement and wonderous anticipation with what the Monkey 47 team conjure up for the annual limited-edition Distillers Cut – and as with every year, they have not disappointed,” Muriel Dessenis, Global VP Marketing Gins at Pernod Ricard, said.  “The legendary 48th botanical for the 2024 Distiller’s Cut once again pushes the boundaries of what a conventional gin tastes like. Consumers should seize the day – or caper diem as we say – and consider grabbing this limited-edition bottle before its gone!” 

Gin lovers and cocktail enthusiasts are encouraged to join Monkey 47’s pursuit of ‘Wunderbar’ adventures and discover a coveted bottle of Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Edition 14 near them.  

The highly exclusive run is available for pre-sale at Flaviar/Caskers. Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut is bottled at 47% ABV and has an SRP of $79.99 for a 375 ml. 

Notes to editors 

Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut 2024 Signature Serve   Quality is the best recipe. And simplicity was Alexander Stein’s, founder of MONKEY 47,  approach when it came to developping a signature  serve for this year’s Distiller’s Cut. Of course, it could have been a cocktail, but why not just try it neat? Pure MONKEY 47 Distiller’s Cut Capparis, elevated by the subtle, briny kiss of a single “La Nicchia” caper. Salute. 

ABOUT MONKEY 47: 

Through masterly distillation and a maturation period of 100 days in traditional earthenware vessels, the goodness of the 47 meticulously selected botanicals, sourced mainly from the Black Forest and where we could find the finest quality, is brought fully to bear in Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin. Admittedly, it appears somewhat eccentric to claim that a recipe for Gin has the power to unite great British traditions, with the spices of India, and the rich natural landscape of the Black Forest. And yet it is precisely this eccentricity that is found in the unparalleled attention to detail that is put in making our handcrafted and small batch distilled Schwarzwald Dry Gin. Aficionados, bartenders, and connoisseurs of the world over have come to appreciate the incredible complexity and harmony of a ‘wunderbar’ gin, which has consistently been voted the No.1 Top Trending Gin brand in the “World's Best Bars” since 2017. 

ABOUT THE ABSOLUT GROUP: 

The Absolut Group holds global responsibility for the production, packaging development, innovation and strategic marketing of an extensive range of premium spirits brands. They include the iconic Absolut Vodka, Beefeater, Malibu, and Kahlua, along with a selection of agave spirits, including Altos tequila and craft gins such as Monkey 47. Our long-term commitment to sustainability and responsible drinking extends to consumers, society, the environment and our teams. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, The Absolut Group is part of Pernod Ricard, a worldwide leader in the spirits industry. 

ABOUT PERNOD RICARD USA: 

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA., the world's second largest spirits and wine company. Pernod Ricard employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide, is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI) and is part of the CAC 40 index. The company's leading spirits include such prestigious brands as Absolut Vodka, Avión Tequila, Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Kahlúa Liqueur, Malibu, Martell Cognac, Olmeca Altos Tequila, Beefeater Gin, Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, Co´digo Tequila, Monkey 47 Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin, Malfy Gin, Hiram Walker Liqueurs, Midleton Irish Whiskey, Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Aberlour Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Lillet, Jefferson's Bourbon, TX Whiskey, Skrewball Whiskey, Smooth Ambler Whiskey, Rabbit Hole Whiskey, Pernod and Ricard; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek, Kenwood Vineyards, Campo Viejo, Brancott Estate and Sainte Marguerite en Provence Rosé.; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines Perrier-Jouët Champagne, G.H. Mumm Champagne, Mumm Sparkling. Pernod Ricard USA is headquartered in New York, New York, and has more than 1,000 employees across the country. As "creators of conviviality," we are committed to sustainable and responsible business practices in service of our customers, consumers, employees and the planet. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active program to promote responsible drinking.

ABOUT LA NICCHIA: 

La Nicchia has been a caper farm and food workshop on the island of Pantelleria since 1949. It handles everything from farming to processing capers, utilising all parts of the caper plant—buds, caperberries, leaves and sprouts. This complete vision of the production chain and its deeply rooted idea that it “could learn to make the best out of what the island had to offer, without being fooled by simplistic market principles” has made it a sui generis farming company and the only one on the island with a complete production chain.