Local MP hits the gin trail

Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, visited Macclesfield Forest in Wildboarclough to meet the team behind Forest Distillery – a family-run business producing unique gin and whisky made with local foraged and organic ingredients.

David toured the distillery, and met husband and wife owners Karl and Lindsay Bond and their small team of staff. Forest Distillery’s gin is currently sold in countries including Japan, China, Australia and the US. They form part of the booming British gin export market, which grew 12.9 per cent in 2018 and is now worth £614 million.

David said: “Small businesses such as Forest Distillery are helping to make our food and drink industry a true success story. It is wonderful to visit Macclesfield Forest today to see these quality products being created in such a beautiful setting.”

“Exports of the UK’s gin reached a massive £614 million last year as people around the world continue to appreciate the quality products being produced by this innovative British industry.”

Forest Distilleries also launched their Forest Whisky in 2018, becoming only the 15th distiller in England to be granted a licence to mature whisky.