Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut 2026: Oyster Mushroom Becomes the 48th Botanical

The latest edition of Monkey 47’s highly anticipated Distiller’s Cut has been unveiled, with the 2026 release introducing an unexpected addition to its botanical repertoire – Pleurotus ostreatus, better known as the Oyster Mushroom.

The annual Distiller’s Cut is an expression of Monkey 47’s spirit of botanical curiosity and experimentation. Each year, the distillery searches for a distinctive “Species Rara” to become the gin’s 48th botanical, adding a new dimension to its complex recipe and creating a limited-edition release produced just once a year.

For 2026, the journey has returned to Monkey 47’s home region of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany, where the team discovered an unusual source of inspiration in the historic city of Ulm.

Deep beneath the vaulted cellars of Ulm’s historic Wilhelmsburg fortress, Burgpilz is cultivating Oyster Mushrooms in an environment that provides remarkably natural growing conditions. Founded by Jochen Rank and Sven Gastrock, who have been custodians of the cellar spaces since 2021, the project makes use of the fortress’s naturally high humidity, limestone walls and cooling properties to cultivate mushrooms without the need for additional refrigeration.

The Oyster Mushroom is grown on an organic substrate and is particularly suited to the environment. The species naturally grows on dead hardwood, particularly beech, and is one of the world’s most widely cultivated edible mushrooms.

For Monkey 47, however, its appeal goes beyond its culinary credentials. The mushroom has been incorporated into the distillery’s specially developed maceration and distillation process, creating a gin that is markedly different from previous Distiller’s Cut expressions.

The resulting 2026 Distiller’s Cut is described as a spicy yet elegant dry gin, with delicate notes of anise and subtle nutty characteristics adding to its considerable depth and complexity. The Oyster Mushroom brings an unusual dimension to the flavour profile without overwhelming the spirit.

The release continues the philosophy behind the Distiller’s Cut – using an unconventional botanical to challenge expectations and explore what gin can become while remaining rooted in craftsmanship and quality.

Only a limited quantity of the 2026 Distiller’s Cut will be produced, with bottles available through Monkey 47’s annual release and raffle programme.

For gin enthusiasts and mixologists, it represents another fascinating chapter in Monkey 47’s ongoing exploration of the botanical world – and a reminder that, when it comes to gin, the search for the next great ingredient can take you somewhere entirely unexpected.

The Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut 2026 is available through a limited release. A raffle for the opportunity to purchase a bottle is being held by Monkey 47.