For those interested, I opened the 154/370 bottle tonight and poured a bit into a glass resting in the wood coaster for the Tolkien Birthday Toast. I love that the wood coaster still has a very fresh pine wood smell. I will put the rest of the bottle away for a future special occasion related to Tolkien. I see that the 370 bottles with coasters are now sold out online. A friend of mine who loves Tolkien received one for Christmas, so the last of them must have sold out over the past few weeks, hopefully as Christmas presents for Tolkien fans around the world.
I very much prefer bourbon over rye whiskey, but I will say I enjoyed the Black Pine Whisky. I am not an expert taster, but it certainly was peppery and smoky, without being overpowering. Despite those flavors, it was still fairly smooth/creamy. I did not detect the mint flavor that was listed as a tasting note. It's definitely a younger whiskey compared to the bourbons I tend to drink, but that is not unusual for ryes, and the Oxford Artisan Distillery's other whiskeys are not aged for a long period of time. It reminded me a bit of the calm and hopefulness after the smoke and fire of battle on the Pelennor. A good whiskey to drink in the Houses of Healing after fire and battle. I very much enjoy having the coaster out and holding part of the wood that supported and inspired Tolkien on so many occasions. To the Professor!
Pictured below with the bottle and with Tom Hillman's excellent book, which I'm currently reading.
I very much prefer bourbon over rye whiskey, but I will say I enjoyed the Black Pine Whisky. I am not an expert taster, but it certainly was peppery and smoky, without being overpowering. Despite those flavors, it was still fairly smooth/creamy. I did not detect the mint flavor that was listed as a tasting note. It's definitely a younger whiskey compared to the bourbons I tend to drink, but that is not unusual for ryes, and the Oxford Artisan Distillery's other whiskeys are not aged for a long period of time. It reminded me a bit of the calm and hopefulness after the smoke and fire of battle on the Pelennor. A good whiskey to drink in the Houses of Healing after fire and battle. I very much enjoy having the coaster out and holding part of the wood that supported and inspired Tolkien on so many occasions. To the Professor!
Pictured below with the bottle and with Tom Hillman's excellent book, which I'm currently reading.
Worth noting here that there are now other items available for purchase in the Black Pine Collection from the Oxford Botanic Gardens. These items range in price from £25 to £125 and include a range of desk accessories, cufflinks and decorations. Unfortunately, these cannot presently be purchased by mail order/online and must be bought in person at the OBG shop in Oxford (you dont have to pay to enter the gardens). I contacted them today and they confirmed items are stiill in stock - so if you live near Oxford you can get round there and buy some goodies!
https://www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk/
https://www.alumni.ox.ac.uk/article/to ... ale-at-the-botanic-garden
Edit: By a stroke of luck a good friend lives within walking distance of the gardens and will try and get some items for me. I will post photos here if I am fortunate!
https://www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk/
https://www.alumni.ox.ac.uk/article/to ... ale-at-the-botanic-garden
Edit: By a stroke of luck a good friend lives within walking distance of the gardens and will try and get some items for me. I will post photos here if I am fortunate!
Update:
My friend in Oxford was able to get me some Black Pine goodies today - he was there at opening time and he did a sterling job! My dragon's hoard includes:
1. A Black Pine box (last one in the shop, so delighted with this)
2. A carved solid pine paper weight
3. 3 bookmarks
Very happy indeed!
My friend in Oxford was able to get me some Black Pine goodies today - he was there at opening time and he did a sterling job! My dragon's hoard includes:
1. A Black Pine box (last one in the shop, so delighted with this)
2. A carved solid pine paper weight
3. 3 bookmarks
Very happy indeed!
There is an interesting post on the Black Pine items on The Tolkienist blog:
https://thetolkienist.com/2025/12/19/t ... nother-comeback-of-sorts/
My recent purchases have now arrived. From the above article, there are just 23 of the writers boxes made, 100 paper weights, 400 bookmarks. I am delighted TBH. The box is beautifully made, the paper weight has a great sculptural quality, bookmarks are about 2-3mm thick I estimate.
See photo of my Black Pine collection below (including the 20/30 whisky box). As an aside, apparently the Oxford Whisky Distillery is no more.
https://thetolkienist.com/2025/12/19/t ... nother-comeback-of-sorts/
My recent purchases have now arrived. From the above article, there are just 23 of the writers boxes made, 100 paper weights, 400 bookmarks. I am delighted TBH. The box is beautifully made, the paper weight has a great sculptural quality, bookmarks are about 2-3mm thick I estimate.
See photo of my Black Pine collection below (including the 20/30 whisky box). As an aside, apparently the Oxford Whisky Distillery is no more.
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