To celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Oxford Botanic Garden, The Oxford Artisan Distillery is set to launch a limited-edition whisky inspired by J.R.R Tolkien.

Black Pine Whisky will be released today to celebrate Hobbit Day, which takes place every year on September 22.

The Rye Whisky, inspired by ‘Tolkien’s Pine’, comes with either a limited edition box or coaster created from wood of the legendary Black Pine which grew in the Botanic Garden for nearly 200 years and is best known for its association with JRR Tolkien.

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The iconic Black Pine (Pinus nigra), likely planted in the early 1830s, met a tragic end in 2014 when it shed two massive branches and needed to be felled.

The pine was reportedly the favourite tree of J.R.R Tolkien, and was often referred to as ‘Tolkien’s Pine’.

The Black Pine is also unmistakably present at the end of Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy, when its heroin, Lyra, sits underneath this famous tree.

Journalist Emma Townshend wrote: “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.”

The Rye whisky has been distilled from heritage grains grown exclusively for the distillery, mostly within 50 miles of Oxford.

Fruity and woody, the complexity of the wood character shines through with hints of mint, pepper and cedar smoke.

Renowned 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 highly distinctive work, has printed the label and accompanying booklet.

The revered wood of the Black Pine 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.

Professor Simon Hiscock, Director of the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum said: “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.

“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 crafts people and we have worked hard to create the ideal whisky gift to remember this famous tree in our 400th anniversary celebrations.”

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1