First Impressions
John James Whitley was the great-grandfather of Johnny Neill, the 8th-generation distiller behind Whitley Neill. JJ Whitley is the sister spirits brand — named after the patriarch and inspired by the English countryside where JJ would have played as a boy. The Elderflower expression captures a specific moment in the English calendar: those few weeks in late May and early June when hedgerows are heavy with elderflower blossom and the air smells of honey and hay. At under £16, it is one of the most accessible flavoured gins on the market.
Tasting
Eight botanicals build a classic gin foundation — juniper, coriander, cassia bark, citrus peel, liquorice, angelica, orris root — before elderflower extract takes the lead. The nose is candied elderflower, immediate and unmistakable, with orange blossom, honey and grassy notes. On the palate, floral sweetness dominates — honey and cinnamon round out the mid-palate, orange blossom provides citrus lift, and juniper lays a foundation without ever competing for attention. The finish is sweet and floral with elderflower lingering alongside honey warmth and a gentle cassia spice counterpoint.
The Bottom Line
JJ Whitley Elderflower earns a 6 — an honest, accessible flavoured gin that delivers exactly what the label promises. At 38.6% it sits below the typical 40% threshold, and the elderflower is unambiguously the star. Best with a light tonic and a sprig of mint, or in a long summer spritz. Not a gin for purists, but a convincing argument that flavoured gin at an accessible price can still taste of something real.
