Sustainability

at the Forest Distillery

Our Mission

To craft exceptional spirits with care for people, place, and planet, blending traditional methods with sustainable practices at every step.

Our Current Practices

We draw our pure spring water from our ancient distillery spring, 1,689 feet above sea level in the Peak District, carefully managing and recycling it to minimise waste.

Our distillery is powered entirely by electricity from 100% renewable suppliers. We are also exploring ways to gradually generate more energy onsite, with plans for solar and heat-recovery systems to further reduce our footprint.

Working Towards an Off-Grid Distillery

We have ambitious plans to drive down our carbon footprint, with long-term goals that include:

  • Installing wind turbines and solar panels to generate renewable energy onsite.
  • Implementing systems to recycle heat generated during distillation, reducing energy consumption and emissions.

While we’re not there yet, our vision is to eventually operate our distillery completely off-grid.

Sustainable Packaging

Our ceramic gin and whisky bottles are handmade and designed to be reused and repurposed, reducing waste and encouraging a circular economy.

We have recently introduced refill systems for both trade and customers, and we are continuously working on ways to make our packaging even more sustainable. Our vision is that none of our bottles should ever enter landfill.

One recent step towards this goal is the launch of a 70cl refill pack for Forest Gin and Earl Grey Forest Gin. Made from plant-based materials derived from carbon-neutral sugarcane, this refill option helps reduce waste and the overall environmental impact of packaging. We also offer a 5L bag-in-box option for trade customers to refill their ceramic bottles. 

We recently launched recycled aluminium cans in partnership with Avanti West Coast, offering a lighter, more sustainable way to enjoy our spirits while cutting transport emissions. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable and significantly lighter than glass, reducing carbon impact across the supply chain.

Ethical Sourcing

We take great pride in sourcing our ingredients sustainably and responsibly:

  • Our English Oak for whisky casks and boxes is sourced from managed woodlands in Staffordshire, where over half a million trees have been planted, offsetting around 1,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
  • Our grain-to-glass whisky journey depends on the annual harvest, but the majority of our barley comes from a sustainable, family-run farm in Cheshire, malted in England using traditional floor malting methods.
  • Botanicals for our gin are either sustainably wild-foraged from Macclesfield Forest (with the landowner’s permission) or are organic-certified where possible. We also use wild yeast from the forest in our whisky.
  • After distillation, spent grain is fed to nearby cows, closing the loop on production.
  • Water is sourced from a bore hole beneath the Cat and Fiddle, aerobically treated and fed back into the ground. 

Community & Conservation

Sustainability also means giving back. Our team has volunteered with the Moorlands for the Future Partnership, planting moss to support local biodiversity. We prioritise supporting local businesses and maintaining a positive impact on our community.

We strive to spread the economic benefits of the spirits industry into our local community by supporting local businesses, charities, and projects.

We prioritise employee care by offering flexible working arrangements and encouraging a healthy work-life balance. By investing in our team, we aim to foster a culture of sustainability and social responsibility throughout our business.

As the highest altitude distillery in the UK, our surroundings are at the heart of every decision we make. We recognise our responsibility to the Peak District National Park, Macclesfield Forest, and the surrounding communities, and we are committed to protecting and preserving this unique landscape.

Join us on our sustainable journey

At The Forest Distillery, we know sustainability is a journey, not a destination. We are always learning, improving, and finding new ways to reduce our impact. From renewable energy and eco-friendly packaging to ethical sourcing and community support, we are committed to making a positive difference.

We look forward to sharing our progress with you.

Thank You!