Official Lord of the Rings whisky now on sale for eye-watering price tag
Lord of the Rings fans can now get their hands on an officially licensed whisky inspired by Middle-earth, but they'll have to part with nearly £90 for a bottle.
If you've ever fancied raising a glass in the Green Dragon Inn alongside Frodo, Sam and the rest of the Hobbits, there's now a whisky that might be right up your street.
An official Lord of the Rings single malt has arrived in the UK, celebrating 25 years since The Fellowship of the Ring first hit cinema screens.
Named Ringbearer, the limited-edition whisky has been created by New Zealand distillery Pōkeno in collaboration with licensed collectibles company Syzygy Forge.
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And while it's likely to catch the attention of Tolkien enthusiasts, the price might leave a few fans thinking twice before adding it to their basket.
A 700ml bottle will set you back £89.99, making it a fairly expensive addition to your drinks cabinet.
Still, there's more to this release than simply sticking a familiar film logo on a bottle.
What makes the Lord of the Rings whisky special?
Ringbearer has been produced in New Zealand, where Peter Jackson filmed his hugely successful film trilogy.
The whisky is made using 100% New Zealand barley and has been aged for at least six years.
It's matured in a combination of first-fill bourbon, virgin oak and French Muscat casks, alongside barrels seasoned with local Mānuka honey.
According to the distillery, the use of honey-seasoned casks is a first for whisky production.
The result is a golden single malt with tasting notes including vanilla, white chocolate, honey and peach.
Drinkers can also expect hints of banana, melon and spice, followed by a warming finish reminiscent of honey spread over buttered toast.
It's bottled at 46% ABV and comes in special collector's packaging featuring designs inspired by the maps of Middle-earth.
Jordan Costner, founder of Syzygy Forge, explained the thinking behind the collaboration.
"Ringbearer is more than a licensed whisky. It’s a celebration of the land, the craft, and the place that helped bring Middle-earth to life on the big screen."
For collectors, the connection to New Zealand is likely to be a big part of its appeal.
After all, it's not every day you can buy a whisky made in the same country that brought Hobbiton and the Shire to life.
Where can you buy the Lord of the Rings whisky?
The limited-edition Ringbearer whisky is now available to pre-order in the UK through the official Pōkeno whisky website.
Edinburgh-based CASC Whisky Ltd has secured exclusive UK distribution rights, with bottles expected to ship between December 2026 and January 2027.
Chris Cusiter from CASC Whisky said: "Bringing Ringbearer to the UK, and making Edinburgh its home, is a dream for us."
He added: "It’s a serious single malt with a story fans will love. Pre-orders are open now, just in time for Christmas."
There's also some good news for anyone who would rather sample the whisky before committing to a £90 purchase.
Edinburgh attraction The Lost Close will become the only venue in the UK offering Ringbearer tastings.
Located beneath the city's Old Police Chambers, the underground venue is planning special Lord of the Rings-themed whisky events in January 2027, coinciding with J.R.R. Tolkien's birthday month.
Places will be limited, with further details expected closer to the time.
Fans can pre-order Ringbearer for £89.99 at pokenowhisky.co.uk, although they'll have to wait a little longer for their bottles to arrive.
Whether it's worth nearly £90 will depend on how much you love whisky, Middle-earth, or perhaps a bit of both.
One thing's certain: Gollum probably wouldn't be too keen on sharing his precious bottle.
Topics: Alcohol, Drinks, TV and Film
Jen Thomas