JJ Whitley Handcrafted Rhubarb Vodka 70 cl 40%

Rhubarb belongs in the English kitchen garden, somewhere between the gooseberries and the hollyhocks. The stalks push up before anything else, tart and pink, and are gone again before summer has properly started. JJ Whitley has poured that short window into a bottle.

Expert description

JJ Whitley Handcrafted Rhubarb Vodka is an English Vodka carrying natural rhubarb flavour, bottled at 38.6%.

The range was launched in March 2016 by British drinks producer Halewood and started life as exactly four bottles: two gins and two vodkas, one of which was this. All four went out at the same strength. The inspiration was English countryside and kitchen garden rather than Eastern European tradition, and that runs right through the line-up.

The rhubarb arrives as natural flavour after distillation, not as raw material in the still. The balance sits closer to compote than to raw stalk, so sugar carries further than acidity. That makes the bottle easy to drink over ice, and it holds its own against tonic or lemonade. If you want the edge back, add lemon.

Tasting notes

Nose

Stewed rhubarb with sugar, direct and unmistakable. Underneath sits something green and stalky, close to fresh celery.

Palate

Sweetness lands first and takes up plenty of room. A dry stalk pulls through behind it, and right at the end a creamy note appears, like rhubarb fool.

Finish

Short and sweet with a slightly sticky feel. Acidity returns at the very end and tidies up.

Specifications

Name: JJ Whitley Handcrafted Rhubarb Vodka
Producer: JJ Whitley
Region/Country: England, United Kingdom
Type: English Vodka
ABV: 38.6%
Size: 70 CL
Serving suggestion: Over ice with a wedge of lemon, or topped with tonic and a mint leaf.

Flavour profile

Sweet · Rhubarb · Soft · Lightly tart

Did you know?

The name comes from the Whitley family, who began making spirits in Daresbury, Cheshire in 1762. The same line gave its name to Whitley Neill Gin, which belongs to the same house.

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Frequently asked questions about JJ Whitley Handcrafted Rhubarb Vodka

How sweet is JJ Whitley Handcrafted Rhubarb Vodka?

Sweet, and worth knowing before you pour. The rhubarb is pitched at compote rather than raw stalk, so sugar carries further than acidity. It drinks easily over ice, but it works best when you give it something sour to push against.

What should I mix it with?

Tonic or soda with lemon is the obvious route. Bubbles and acidity pull the sweetness down and let the rhubarb stand out. Apple juice or a splash of ginger beer also work, while heavy syrups and liqueurs make it cloying.

Can I drink it neat?

Yes, but cold. At room temperature the sweetness dominates, while the freezer tightens it up and brings out the green, stalky side. Pour a small measure and let the glass sit for a minute so it opens.

Is the rhubarb flavour natural?

Yes. The producer states natural rhubarb flavour, added after distillation. So this is not a spirit run on rhubarb, but a neutral grain base with the flavour built in afterwards.

How does it differ from a completely neutral vodka?

The flavouring. A neutral vodka is built to disappear into the drink, while this one has to be tasted through it. That changes how you mix: less sugar than usual, and acidity in the glass.

How should I store the bottle?

Dark, cool and upright. Flavoured vodkas lose character faster than neutral ones because fruit aromatics are volatile. Sunlight bleaches both label and contents, and an opened bottle is perfectly happy in the fridge.

Who is behind JJ Whitley?

Halewood, one of Britain's largest independent drinks producers. The range is built around English flavours and landscape rather than Russian tradition. To compare it with other houses, browse our Vodka brands.