Whitley Neill Lemongrass & Ginger Gin 70cl

Lemongrass and ginger make this English gin feel like someone turned the lights on in your glass. It’s bright, spicy, citrusy, and built for anyone who likes their G&T with a bit of attitude instead of just “yep, that’s gin.” The juniper is still there, keeping everything grounded, but the real fun is the lemongrass lift and ginger warmth that roll through from first sniff to last sip.

• Nose: Fresh lemongrass jumps out first, with lemon peel, clean juniper, and a warm ginger prickle underneath.
• Taste: Zesty citrus leads, then ginger brings heat and bite without taking over. The gin feels lively on the palate, with herbal freshness and a crisp, dry edge that keeps it refreshing.
• Finish: The citrus fades into gentle spice, leaving a clean ginger warmth and a final hit of juniper.

This is the gin you pull out when plain tonic needs rescuing. Pour it with a good Indian tonic, plenty of ice, and a lime wedge or fresh ginger slice. If you’ve got lemongrass lying around, even better. It turns the garnish into a little flex without making you look like you’re trying too hard.

If your usual comfort zone is Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire, this is an easy next step. You still get the familiar gin backbone, but the flavour leans brighter and more aromatic. Think citrus-led contemporary gin rather than a heavy old-school juniper punch. It’s friendly for beginners, but there’s enough going on for gin people who like to poke around in the botanicals.

It also earns its keep in cocktails. Try it in a Tom Collins when you want lemony refreshment with extra ginger snap, or use it in a Gimlet for a sharper, more fragrant twist. A Southside works nicely too, especially if you’re into mint, lime, and that crisp garden-party-but-make-it-fun vibe. We’d skip hiding it in anything too sugary, because the lemongrass and ginger are the whole point here.

Food-wise, this loves the same flavours it’s built around. Pair a G&T with Thai green curry, ginger chicken, Vietnamese summer rolls, or grilled prawns with lime. The citrus cuts through rich sauces, while the ginger plays nicely with chilli, herbs, and garlic. Basically, if there’s coriander, lime, or a bit of heat on the table, this gin wants in.

What makes it click is the balance between freshness and spice. Lemongrass can taste too perfumed when it’s pushed too hard, and ginger can bulldoze everything if it gets bossy. Here, they work like a tag team. Lemongrass gives the high notes, ginger brings the warmth, and juniper keeps the whole thing recognisably gin. It’s not trying to be weird for the sake of it. It’s just a proper flavour upgrade.

So if you’re bored of the “any gin will do” shelf, this is a solid place to swerve. It’s easy to mix, easy to understand, and just different enough to make your next G&T feel like you actually made a choice. Small change, big glass energy.

Fun Fact: Whitley Neill was created by Johnny Neill, an eighth-generation distiller whose family distilling roots trace back to 1762, and the range is known for gins inspired by flavours from his travels.