Constructed in 1813 by a local silk merchant and positioned along the notorious winding route, The Cat and Fiddle swiftly became a shelter from harsh weather and an essential stopping point for exhausted travellers journeying between Macclesfield and Buxton.
Undoubtedly amongst the north west's most recognisable pubs, it sits 1,689ft above sea level on the Peak District moors and was amongst the highest pubs in the area and England's second highest. The establishment has featured in numerous tales, some gruesome, others more benign, even serving as a testing location for Charles Rolls whilst trialling new Rolls Royce vehicle models.
Acquired by The Robinsons brewery in 1931, and remaining under its ownership presently, it has endured despite its isolated position, reports the Manchester Evening News. Yet on Christmas Eve 2014, it shut its doors for the final time as a traditional pub, with the family eager to identify a new partner and operate it beyond its conventional role as a drinking establishment.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, another family-run enterprise was just getting started. Forest Gin, subsequently Forest Distillery, was established by Lindsay and Karl Bond in 2014, utilising botanicals gathered from Macclesfield Forest.
"It started off as trial-and-error initially, and Lindsay wanted to come up with a drink that wasn't beer that she could enjoy," reflects Melanie Selstrom, Head of Marketing for Forest Distillery. "They went foraging with their little girl, and she threw in some wild flowers, moss, fern, botanicals, and gradually they ended up a really beautiful gin."
What began as a modest kitchen operation at home soon expanded to a stone barn in the Peak District, just below the Cat and Fiddle.
Drawing attention from luxury retailer Harvey Nichols and even Avanti West Coast for drinks in their first-class carriages, the small family-run team realised they had struck gold.
However, as they expanded their drinks range to include whisky as well, they discovered they'd outgrown their premises.
As luck would have it, the Cat and Fiddle, with its extensive network of cellars at 1,600 feet above sea level, offered ideal conditions for their whisky to age and the business to expand.
After a crowdfunder in 2019 raised £50,000, the 200 year old pub on the A537, which had stood vacant for several years, was brought back to life, becoming the highest whisky distillery in the UK.
Revitalising the pub with its beautifully crafted ceramic bottles and award-winning spirits, the home of Forest Distillery looks remarkably different following its makeover, and features a working distillery, event spaces, and even its own shop stocking its products alongside locally sourced goods.
Naturally, the bar remains, and alongside distillery tours and gin and whisky tastings, visitors can drop in for a pint, gin and tonic and a wee dram. Robinson's influence remains prominent throughout the bar, featuring a rotating selection of hazy pale ale, helles lager and stout amongst the regular tap offerings.
An impressive drinks menu showcases cocktails including The Forest Negroni and Toasted Breakfast Martini, alongside whisky and gin highballs, plus exclusive spirits from the Forest collection. Bottled beers, soft drinks and wines are available to purchase from the shop for enjoyment in the welcoming bar space with views across the surrounding countryside.
Whilst tea, coffee and full meals aren't currently on offer at the pub, visitors can enjoy various bar snacks (£2.50 each or 3 for £6.50) including mixed nuts, Korean chilli rice crackers, mixed olives, and an assortment of crisps in multiple flavours.
Naturally, their house spirits take centre stage at Forest Distillery. Beginning with Forest Gin, their flagship London Dry Gin, it's produced in small batches and each contains only premium botanicals and spring water sourced from their distillery.
Their compact yet impressive gin range also includes the Earl Grey Forest Gin, whilst their present whisky offering is blend number twenty six - a mellow and lively spirit with gentle sweetness that's enhanced by the unique qualities of English oak.
Back in 2022, the Forest Distillery team shared their approach to spirit production: "The Japanese are famed for distilling whiskey at altitude.
"They're all up in the mountains but unfortunately, we don't have mountains to play with.
"We've got this beautiful countryside and the Peak District. So we're currently distilling at 1,685ft above sea level.
"When you distil at altitude, alcohol will boil at different temperatures so it means that you can extract more alcohol from it and make more flavour, which is key."
The distillery is tucked away at the back of the premises, with whisky barrels ageing for three years in the cellar.
Recently, the distillery has crafted its own Forest Rum from molasses, aged in oak and given a signature finish in 15 year old whisky casks.
In addition to gin and whisky tours and tastings that allow visitors to delve into the brand, the team are hosting several festive events this autumn and winter.
Every Saturday and Sunday, there's a gin tour (£25pp) at noon, followed by a whisky tour at 3pm where guests can savour long drinks and samples of Forest spirits on the cosy sofas, along with a tour of the distillery. On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, the tasting (£15) takes place at 3:30pm.
For Halloween, there's a special cocktail night (£35), where guests will be treated to three full-sized and two half-sized spooky cocktails, some snacks and the breakdown of each cocktail recipe.
The following Friday (November 7), there's a Huzzah Singles Evening from 6pm, which includes transport from Macclesfield train station to the Cat and Fiddle and back.
On 27 November, there will also be a Christmas Door Swag Workshop (£55), where attendees can create their own festive door swag using a combination of fresh and dried foliage, ribbons, and seasonal decorations, all whilst savouring a gin and tonic and mince pies.
Just before Christmas, on 5 December, The Forest Spirit of Christmas event will feature music from the Bollington Brass Band. All these events, including cocktail nights, can be reserved through The Forest Distillery website.