The fabulous 48th: Monkey 47 unveil limited-edition luxury gin

Each year, ultra-premium gin distiller Monkey 47 releases the latest in its limited-edition Distiller’s Cut series. Embarking on a quest a unique and unusual extra ingredient, worthy of taking centre stage as the 48th botanical in its ultra-exclusive run. Named for its proprietary blend of 47 botanicals, over the past 14 years the hunt for a fitting addition has taken Monkey 47 founder Alexendar Stein on a global quest.

With prior editions giving the Distiller’s Cut series cult status among the brands ever-growing roster of fans, intriguing annual editions have shone the spotlight on global ingredients from Italian capers and Canadian maple syrup, to nutmeg mace, to name a few. The mission and resulting voyage have returned a range of varied flavour profiles, with no two years ever similar — an exciting and adventurous proposition for brand fans.

This year, the quest led Monkey 47 to the historic Wilhelmsburg fortress in Ulm, southern Germany, the brand’s home region. With a plethora of oyster mushrooms discovered growing in its vaulted cellars, and the unique and complex savoury flavour profile the ingredient brings, it was the obvious choice for this year’s edition.

Partnering with local German company Burgpilz, who cultivate their mushrooms with expert craftsmanship and sustainability at the heart, they returned to the Wilhelmsburg fortress. Its vaulted cellar spaces provided the right conditions for growing the mushrooms intentionally at scale, and sustainably and, once ready, they were woven into Monkey 47’s specially developed maceration and distillation process as the revered 48th ingredient.A distinctive addition to many dishes with its identifiable and lauded umami flavours, the oyster mushroom brings savoury complexity to Monkey 47’s signature gin. Spicy yet elegant, the Distiller’s Cut 2026 features unique delicate anise and subtle nutty notes, alongside the gin’s classic flavours — juniper, grapefruit peels and lingonberries. Not only for dedicated mushroom lovers, Monkey 47’s Distiller’s Cut 2026 features layers of savoury and clean flavours, making it a unique and curious tipple whether served straight up or added to a cocktail.

Commenting on the limited-edition release, Founder of Monkey 47, Alexander Stein shared: “It is not simply about finding a new ingredient. It is about discovering remarkable stories behind remarkable ingredients. The Burgpilz oyster mushroom gave us both: a fascinating botanical and authentic people whose dedication reflects the values that have shaped Monkey 47 from the very beginning.”

Beyond the liquid, the Distiller’s Cut 2026 bottle features an elegant brown label with metallic foil embellishments and an embossed finish inspired by the texture of the oyster mushroom. The signature ring adorning the bottle cork is engraved and gold-coated for the annual limited release, while an accompanying gift box features Monkey 47’s distinctive wallpaper in a bespoke colourway.

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