make rose water that doesn't smell like compost?

[RunnerBean]

OK, first attempt at making rose water today and it smelt minging so I ended up throwing it away. Any ideas where I went wrong? Did I boil it for too long? The rose petals were fresh and smelt lovely before I ruined them. Admittedly my cobbled-together still was a bit rubbish so I might need to improve there.

[MKG]

I'm guessing, but did you pick your rose petals in the afternoon?

Andy is forever lecturing people about making elderflower champagne, and how the elderflowers must be picked in the early morning, just after any dew has dried. Any longer and elderflowers start to develop the famous cat's pee flavour. Maybe - just maybe - the same rule applies to roses.

[Green Aura]

I read somewhere that you keep it just below boiling, simmering it gently until the petals lose their colour. I wonder if the higher temperature is part of the problem too.

[daffodiltulip]

Would it make a difference if the petals were infused as for tea rather than simmered? Leave them in the water until cold then really squeeze the water out. If the water needs boiling for sterilisation, boil it then, without the petals in as there may be something in the material of the petal that spoils it.