At 1,689 feet on the moor above Macclesfield Forest, the old Cat & Fiddle inn now holds the UK's highest-altitude distillery. The Forest Distillery began with Lindsay and Karl Bond distilling gin from botanicals gathered in the forest below, working from a 17th century stone barn and the operation has since climbed the hill to the inn, where the whisky sleeps in cellars kept cold by Peak District weather. Forest Gin is distilled in small batches with foraged moss, ferns and wild berries from the surrounding woods and spring water from the site's own source and it has taken two separate double-gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a rare thing at that competition. The whisky followed, matured on the hill. James Martin featured the distillery on Islands to Highlands in its barn days. The move to the Cat & Fiddle gave it a shop, a bar and weekly tours, so visitors to the Peak District National Park now have a reason to climb past the forest. Take the tour. Wrap up warm.

Awards and Recognition

Forest Gin has been awarded two separate double-gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/forest_distillery/

Can people visit or buy direct?

Yes. The shop and bar at the Cat & Fiddle are open to the public, distillery tours run weekly and must be booked in advance and their range is also sold online.

Website

https://theforestdistillery.com/

Address Summary

Buxton Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AR