Does elderflower aroma come through in distillation?

[MartinCash]

I'm gearing up to make another batch of gin, and down in my part of the world elderflowers will be coming out soon. I'll have access to fresh elderflowers (and dried, if I dry some).

I have seen a few mentions of elderflowers as an ingredient, but not a breakdown of what the results were like. Does their aroma come through after distillation, or are they too subtle like some of the other florals?

[NZChris]

I'm quite sure it does come over because, if it didn't, no gin makers would be using it in their botanical bills.

I really hope it does because I imported some. I keep forgetting to use it, so thanks for the reminder.

If you have a small still, make an essence for blending into your gins.

[JK79sGin]

Elderflower does come over but it can be quite subtle.
I prefer to vapour infuse it rather than macerate but that's turning out to be my go to method for most gins now!

[MartinCash]

Thanks for the replies!

[Malcohol]

I have some dried elderflower and it smells nothing like the fresh flowers. I would definately reccomend trying the fresh flowers first then if you're happy with the results you could make a load of concentrated distilate to last the year. I've successfully made Gin with fresh flowers in the vapour path but havent tried it with maceration first.

[Kareltje]

About here some smell like cats piss and some smell good.
If they come through I don't know.

[jimsgins]

I tried some a while ago and while it came through, it was very subtle. I forget the exact proportion I used but you can definitely afford to be generous with it

[NZChris]

I've just made some essence. Plenty of aroma came through.... and it doesn't smell like cat piss

[MartinCash]

Good to know! I'll aim to do the same as soon as they start opening up.

Then, if I don't get to make gin while they're open and fresh, I'll still have the essence.

[tommysb]

Had used from time to time in brewing.

I believe the cat's piss quality is from the stalks. So separation of actual flowers from the stems can minimise it.

[MartinCash]

Thanks tommysb, I have used it in brewing. The question was does it come through a distillation? The answer seems to be yes and I'll soon be able to test it, as they're currently flowering.

[Fredistiller]

I used fresh flower infusion in the thumper for my last brandy. Comes nice over in the stripping run. I'm waiting for my last batch to ferment to tell how it goes in the spirit run.

[Rrmuf]

I don't know if anyone tried elderflower as well as (separately) lavender, but how do the two compare in terms of subtlety and coming through? I think I found a bit of a sweet spot w.r.t. lavender but have not tried elderflower yet.

[HiroP]

I tried fermenting elderflower and sugar, and distilled - in this experiment it was a huge fail - had to throw it all out.

On the other hand gently steaming flowers in water for an hour or so, straining and adding sugar (as a preservative) gives me elderflower 'nectar' - which is spectacular. I have added to finished gin - great, and ouzo - also great. Added to soda water it's a special treat.

Only have 500ml left, it's fall here on the Canadian west coast but I will be out in wood picking elderflower in the spring.