A whisky distillery located on the site of the old Cat & Fiddle in Macclesfield Forest has released its much anticipated home distilled English Malt Whisky. 

The Forest Distillery is a tiny, family owned distillery ran by husband and wife team, Karl & Lindsay Bond.

Back in 2019, Lindsay produced malt spirit using locally grown grains, wild yeast, and spring water. This spirit has then been left untouched to age in wooden casks within the cool cellars of the Cat & Fiddle, before being bottled earlier this month. 

The company hand-bottled the finished whisky into locally made ceramic bottles, before putting them on sale at 5:30am on Tuesday November 1. Incredibly, by 6am, the bottles had completely sold out.

Forest Whiskey is one of the only whiskies distilled in England. (Image - Forest Distillery)

Whisky has not been distilled in England for over 100 years, until a small number of producers began making the spirit during recent years – the Bond family being one of them.

The release of the whisky marks an historic moment, as the north west of England has very little history of the drink, yet the grains grown here, the water, and the conditions are perfect for making it.

Lindsay Bond (co-founder and master distiller) said: "This was several years of hard work for me. Whilst whisky ages in a barrel, you don't know how good it will taste, or if it will even be drinkable. To finally get to pour some and enjoy it with friends was just amazing"

Karl Bond (co-founder) said: "Lindsay looks after all of the production, but I look after the customer side of things. To be able to tell Lindsay that her whisky had sold out before the school run was incredible. I'd just like to say a huge thanks to all of our customers for the support with this release"

Karl and Lindsay live in Langley, just a short drive away from their iconic distillery. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

The company have been turning down orders from all of the world, and are in the process of ramping up production to meet demand.

The launch follows Lindsay being nominated for Distiller of the Year in the prestigious Spirits Business Awards 2022, and some Cheshire award nominations for Forest Distillery as a whole.

Forest Whisky is made from Cheshire Grains, wild yeast and spring water. It is distilled at an altitude of 16,89ft above sea level.

Forest Distillery make gin and whiskey in wade ceramic bottles and use local botanicals.

You can visit them at Cat & Fiddle, Macclesfield Forest, Macclesfield SK11 0AR. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

Forest Gin is still in stock to buy, and rest assured, new whisky will be coming soon.

Macclesfield: Learn more about them by clicking here.

See Also: UP CLOSE: Wincle Brewery founder and Macclesfield resident Giles Meadows

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