Family-distilled gin becomes Harvey Nichols hit

An ultra-premium, small-batch British gin created by a family-run distillery and designed for sale at farmers’ markets, has been picked up by department store Harvey Nichols as its highest-priced gin.

Forest Gin is a hand-foraged, distilled and bottled gin from Macclesfield, UK

Forest Gin, which is distilled by Karl and Lindsay Bond in Macclesfield, features six predominantly organic traditional botanicals plus an additional 10 botanicals that are foraged from Macclesfield Forest.

While the ingredients alter with the seasons, Forest Gin currently features bilberries, blackberries, gorse flower, silk moss and fern, as well as juniper and organic coriander seed.

The botanicals are hand-foraged by the family, including seven-year-old daughter Harriet, and distilled at the family home before being hand-bottled at 42% abv in ceramic, hand-screened bottles.

While Forest Gin is gaining traction in both the UK on- and off-trade, the Bonds have the capacity to produce just two batches of 75 bottles per month, and have no existing plans to increase production.

Karl Bond said: “We are a tiny family company. The initial aim was to sell through farmers markets and to local pubs. Thankfully, the gin has been an absolute success at all tastings, hence why Harvey Nichols currently sell it as their highest priced London Dry Gin.

“Everything so far has been a very natural growth for the business, so we are happy to see where things take us. We both currently work full-time, so we are happy to keep the product very limited for the time being.”

The Bonds are currently in discussions with a major luxury car manufacturer over a brand partnership, which may see Forest Gin become a larger brand after all.

The brand has also appointed Manchester bartender, Susie Wong, as brand ambassador.

Forest Gin is currently available in select bars, as well as at Harvey Nichols for an RRP of £59.50 for 700ml.