Forest Whisky Blend Twenty-Six: MASTERS Award Winner from Britain's Highest Distillery
A MASTERS Award Winner | Britain's highest altitude distillery (1,689 feet) | Wild yeast fermentation | New English oak maturation | 47% ABV | Handmade porcelain bottle
Key Product Information
- Distillery: Forest Distillery, Cat & Fiddle, Cheshire
- Region: Macclesfield Forest, Cheshire, England
- Type: English Blended Whisky
- ABV: 47% (94 proof)
- Volume: 70cl (700ml)
- Cask: New English oak casks
- Grain: Cheshire barley and oats
- Water: Pure spring water from own source
- Yeast: Wild yeast
- Filtration: Non-chill filtered
- Awards: Won a Masters Award at the World Whisky Masters
- Altitude: 1,689 feet above sea level
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright and fresh with lemon meringue leading. Golden almonds and honeyed fruits create inviting sweetness, backed by subtle oakiness from the English wood influence.
Palate
Sweet honeycomb and soft butter create luxurious texture. Green apples add crisp freshness, while the distinctive character of new English oak provides elegant complexity throughout.
Finish
Soft wood notes with burnt matchsticks adding intrigue. The finish demonstrates the exceptional smoothness that earned this whisky its award-winning reputation.
What Makes Forest Whisky Blend Twenty-Six Special
- Highest Altitude Heritage: Produced at Britain's highest altitude whisky distillery at 1,689 feet in historic Macclesfield Forest
- Award-Winning Excellence: All judges scored over 92 points in blind tasting - higher than gold medal standard
- Wild Yeast Innovation: Uses wild yeast for fermentation, creating unique flavour characteristics impossible with commercial yeasts
- New English Oak Maturation: Finished in new English oak casks, showcasing distinctive English wood character
- Artisan Presentation: Each bottle crafted from handmade English porcelain with unique papercut design glazed with real gold
- Historic Location: Distilled at the famous Cat & Fiddle, a former inn dating back to 1813
Perfect For
Whisky Enthusiasts Who Enjoy:
- Award-winning expressions
- Unique English oak influence
- Wild yeast fermentation character
- Exceptionally smooth whiskies
- Artisan presentation and heritage
Occasions:
- Premium gift presentations
- Celebrating achievements
- Collector's showcase pieces
- Garden sipping and BBQ food pairing
- After-dinner contemplation
How to Enjoy Forest Whisky Blend Twenty-Six
Neat
Best savoured slowly at room temperature to appreciate the exceptional smoothness and subtle sweetness.
With Premium Mixers
The refined character works beautifully in premium cocktails, though many prefer to appreciate the quality neat or with just a splash of water.
Food Pairing
Perfect with a cigar, sunshine and an open fire after a BBQ. Also excellent with honey desserts, aged cheeses, or as an after-dinner digestif with dark chocolate.
About Forest Distillery
Located at the historic Cat & Fiddle in Macclesfield Forest, Cheshire, Forest Distillery operates at 1,689 feet above sea level, making it Britain's highest altitude whisky distillery. This family-run business, established in 2014, combines traditional craftsmanship with innovative approaches like wild yeast fermentation. The distillery's unique location in a former inn dating back to 1813 adds historical character to every bottle. Their commitment to quality over quantity is evident in the awards they've won, with each release carefully crafted and presented in stunning handmade English porcelain bottles.
Understanding English Whisky Innovation
English whisky continues to push boundaries with over 60 distilleries now operating across England. Forest Distillery represents this innovative spirit perfectly, combining unique high-altitude maturation with wild yeast fermentation and new English oak finishing. Winning awards proves that English distillers can achieve world-class quality while developing distinctly English characteristics. The use of new English oak creates flavour profiles impossible to achieve in traditional whisky regions, showcasing England's contribution to global whisky excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes Forest Whisky Blend Twenty-Six different from Scottish whisky?
A: Forest Whisky Blend Twenty-Six uses wild yeast fermentation and new English oak maturation at Britain's highest altitude. The combination creates unique flavours impossible to replicate in traditional regions.
Q: Is Forest Whisky Blend Twenty-Six suitable for whisky beginners?
A: Absolutely. Forest Whisky Blend Twenty-Six is described as "exceptionally smooth" with subtle sweetness. The 47% ABV provides character without overwhelming heat, making it perfect for newcomers and experts alike.
Q: What is wild yeast fermentation?
A: Wild yeast fermentation uses naturally occurring yeasts from the environment rather than commercial strains. This creates unique, complex flavours that vary with seasons and location, adding distinctive character impossible to achieve with standard yeasts.
Q: Why is the high altitude important?
A: At 1,689 feet, Forest Distillery experiences different atmospheric pressure and temperature variations than lower altitude distilleries. These conditions affect fermentation and maturation, contributing to the whisky's distinctive character.
Q: What makes the bottle special?
A: Each bottle is handmade from English porcelain by Wade Ceramics, featuring unique papercut artwork by artist Georgia Lowe, glazed with real gold. This artisan presentation reflects the premium quality within.
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