Monkey 47 Schald Gin

Listed as Schald Gin under the Monkey 47 brand name, with Massachusetts given as the origin, this bottle should be approached as a gin. Juniper is the defining flavor of the style, so expect a resinous, piney lead from it. Citrus peel, coriander seed and other botanicals usually sit underneath, and the finish tends to be dry. Specific botanicals, proof and distillation details aren't confirmed here, so check the label for the exact ABV and ingredients before you plan around them. A gin like this is easiest to judge in a Gin and Tonic. Use a tall glass full of cold, hard ice, about two ounces of gin, and three to four ounces of a crisp tonic with a clean bitterness. A wedge of lemon or grapefruit peel pulls out the citrus side, and a sprig of rosemary suits a more herbal pour. If you want to taste the botanicals directly, stir two and a half ounces over ice, strain it into a chilled coupe, and add only a touch of dry vermouth. That is a Martini built to let the juniper lead. Other classic gin cocktails also work well. A Negroni, with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, shows how the spirit holds its shape against bitterness. A Gimlet, made with gin, fresh lime and simple syrup, is a short, sharp alternative. A Tom Collins stretches the gin into a long, bubbly drink with lemon and soda. For sipping neat, use a small tulip glass or a Glencairn, which concentrates the aromas for nosing. A splash of water or a single large cube opens the botanicals without muting them. A rocks glass is the right choice for a Negroni, and a tall highball glass suits the Gin and Tonic and the Collins.