Monkey 47 Distiller's Cut 2026
Pleurotus ostreatus - Oyster Mushroom!
Here we go again – “same same, but different.” Ring a bell? Exactly – the wait is finally over, and that very special time of year has arrived once more! For those of you who are new here: this is all about botanical curiosity, an obsessive pursuit of the highest quality, and the many expeditions we have been fortunate enough to embark on — always in search of that one extraordinary 48th ingredient, the Species Rara … and of course, the MONKEY 47 Distiller’s Cut.
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After last year’s discovery among white galloping horses and formations of pink shimmering flamingos in the salt gardens of the Camargue, this year’s journey takes us to Ulm in Baden-Württemberg, Southern Germany – the home region of MONKEY 47.
The explanation is simple: we’ve become fascinated by mushrooms. Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? No further questions? Thought so. But slowly now, one thing at a time…
During our search for this year’s Species Rara, we came across Burgpilz in Ulm. Deep within the vaulted cellars of the historic Wilhelmsburg fortress, something truly magical is happening: beneath the centuries-old stone walls, Austernseitling (Oyster Mushroom) are cultivated with passion, craftsmanship, and sustainability at heart.
A perfect match, we thought. Naturally, the Oyster Mushroom — with its shell- to fan-shaped appearance — grows on dead hardwood, especially beech. Due to its firm texture, it is often used as a vegetarian meat substitute. Its characteristic shape has also earned it the nickname Oyster Mushroom. Today, it is considered one of the most important cultivated mushrooms worldwide.
All the more reason to support the vision of Jochen Rank and Sven Gastrock, who have been the custodians of these cellar spaces since 2021, making use of the site’s ideal natural conditions for mushroom cultivation: the limestone walls prevent mould growth, humidity levels remain naturally high, and the fortress itself acts as a natural cooling system, eliminating the need for additional refrigeration. Step by step, environmentally friendly Oyster Mushrooms are cultivated from an organic substrate that serves as their nutrient base.
If you’d like to dive deeper into the topic, we highly recommend watching the short film we produced about it on our Instagram channel.
The Austernseitling was added to our specially developed, complex and time-consuming maceration and distillation process to create our exclusive Distiller’s Cut, which we produce only once a year. The 48th ingredient symbolises our ambition to push our own boundaries and, with a specially selected botanical, create a limited-edition product that stimulates the senses and makes the hearts of mixologists and MONKEY 47 lovers beat a little faster.
The 2026 47 Distiller’s Cut is a spicy yet elegant dry gin with a delicate hint of anise, rounded off by subtle nutty notes, all set against a backdrop of remarkable depth and complexity. A truly remarkable tasting experience – not only for dedicated mushroom lovers. Cheers!
