To celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Oxford Botanic Garden, The Oxford Artisan Distillery recently launched a limited edition whisky – Black Pine Whisky. The rye whisky, inspired by ‘Tolkien’s Pine’, comes with either a limited edition box or coaster created from wood of the Black Pine which grew in the Botanic Garden for nearly 200 years and is best known for its association with JRR Tolkien.
The Black Pine (Pinus nigra), likely planted in the early 1830s, met its end in 2014 when it shed two massive branches and needed to be felled. The pine was the favourite tree of Tolkien, and was often referred to as ‘Tolkien’s Pine’. The Black Pine is also present at the end of Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy, when its heroine, Lyra, sits underneath this famous tree. Wood Cube Storage Bins
“The tree, possibly as old as 215 years, has been totemic in Oxford for its associations to JRR Tolkien, who sat and wrote beneath its branches, creating his Ents (giant talking trees) in response to its whirl-patterned bark,” noted Journalist Emma Townshend.
To celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Oxford Botanic Garden, The Oxford Artisan Distillery recently launched a limited edition, Tolkien-associated whisky – Black Pine Whisky. (image via Oxford Artisan Distillery)
In putting together this project, it is noted as being a special item bringing together local Oxford artisans.
The rye whisky, a specialty of The Oxford Artisan Distillery, has been created to celebrate the Garden’s 400th anniversary. Distilled from heritage grains grown exclusively for the distillery, mostly within 50 miles of Oxford, official tasting notes make mention that it is “an ode to the essence of a pine forest. Fruity and woody, the complexity of the wood character shines through with hints of mint, pepper and cedar smoke.”
Oxford illustrator, Stanley Donwood, has created an illustration of the original Black Pine for the label. Since 1994, he has created all the artwork for the rock band Radiohead with singer Thom Yorke.
Oxford-based letterpress printer Richard Lawrence, known for his collaborations with artists and designers to create his work, has printed the label and accompanying booklet.
The wood of the Black Pine itself was crafted into commemorative boxes by Sylva Foundation’s Wood School.Sylva Foundation’s Wood School was created to “support a revival of Britain’s wood culture through excellence in creativity and craftsmanship using home-grown timber, stimulating innovation in design and supporting the next generation of designers and makers.”
Initially 30 bottles were housed in a limited edition box made directly from the famous Black Pine tree. These bottles also contained a limited edition print of the Black Pine tree by Donwood and a limited edition letterpress booklet. These whiskies were sold by ballot on Hobbit Day, September 22nd.
A further 370 bottles are housed in a white presentation box and include a coaster also made from the Black Pine tree. Each bottle, like the first 30, are numbered and available to buy online from The Oxford Artisan Distillery for £150.00.
“We are delighted to be partnering with The Oxford Artisan Distillery on this unique project to celebrate our anniversary and the legendary Black Pine which was an iconic feature of the Garden for so many years,” said Professor Simon Hiscock, Director of the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum, in a prepared statement. “We are excited to be launching this limited edition whisky along with unique boxes and coasters crafted from wood of the Black Pine – better known as Tolkien’s Pine.
“It was important to us that the project included local artisans and craftspeople and we have worked hard to create the ideal whisky gift to remember this famous tree in our 400th anniversary celebrations.”
Wooden Crate Lowes Nino Kilgore-Marchetti is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Whiskey Wash, an award winning whiskey lifestyle website dedicated to informing and entertaining consumers about whisk(e)y on a global level. As a whisk(e)y journalist, expert and judge he has written about the subject extensively, been interviewed in various media outlets and...