Forest Distillery
Forest Distillery is a micro-distillery founded in 2015 by husband-and-wife team Karl and Lindsay Bond, situated at the historic 210-year-old Cat & Fiddle pub above Macclesfield Forest in the Peak District National Park. One of England's smallest craft whisky operations, Forest produces seasonal, small-batch English single malt whisky alongside its signature gin range. The distillery is built around the philosophy of place — the Macclesfield Forest landscape, with its ancient woodland, moorland air, and Pennine water, is embedded in the character of everything produced here. The first core whisky expression, released in December 2023, sold out within half an hour.
Tours
Not available
On-site Shop
No shop
Online Shop
Available
History
Karl and Lindsay Bond founded Forest Distillery in 2015, growing the operation from a family passion for spirits and the natural environment of Macclesfield Forest. The Cat & Fiddle — one of England's highest pubs at over 500 metres above sea level on the Macclesfield–Buxton road — provided an evocative home for a distillery rooted in place. The gin range launched first, gaining a following for its distinctive forest-inspired character.
The whisky programme required patience: grain-to-glass English single malt must mature for at least three years before legal classification, and Forest's small stills and seasonal production schedule further extended the timeline. The first core whisky expression was released in December 2023 and sold out within half an hour — a remarkable debut that demonstrated the appetite for authentic, small-batch English single malt from independently minded producers. In April 2024, expansion plans were announced, signalling confidence in the distillery's future growth.
Production
Forest Distillery operates on a micro-scale at the Cat & Fiddle site, producing small seasonal batches of English single malt whisky and gin. Production is intentionally limited, reflecting the craft philosophy. Water for production is drawn from Pennine sources. The whisky programme produces single malt from English barley in small runs, matured in oak casks. Gin production uses locally inspired botanicals, with the forest landscape as the guiding reference.
Tasting Character
Forest Whisky is produced in small seasonal batches, with each release reflecting the particular cask and production run. Specific tasting notes vary by expression. The gin range draws on the forest and moorland botanicals of Macclesfield Forest — juniper is prominent, with heather, woodland herbs, and floral notes complementing the core spirit. The Peak District setting contributes a sense of wildness and clean natural character that distinguishes Forest from urban gin competitors.
[!question] Gap — specific published tasting notes for Forest Whisky core expression are limited. Details to be added when further sources are available.
What They Produce
Notable Bottlings
- Forest Whisky£54.49 — English single malt, small seasonal batches, first core release December 2023
- Forest Gin£47.50 — Signature gin, Macclesfield Forest botanicals
- Limited and seasonal gin variants — Following the forest landscape across seasons
Buy their whiskey
2 Forest Distillery bottles stocked across 2 retailers.
DD
Forest Distillery Whisky Blend Twenty-Six, 70cl
£54.49
MoM
Forest Distillery Cask Aged Dark Rum
£38.37
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Visiting
No public tours are currently offered at Forest Distillery. Products are available via the online shop at forestdistillery.com and through selected specialist stockists. The Cat & Fiddle location — perched above Macclesfield Forest in the Peak District — is one of England's most atmospheric distillery sites, even if formal visits are not yet offered.