Pōkeno Debuts Ringbearer Whisky with Mānuka Honey Cask

Syzygy Forge Partners with New Zealand Distillery to Celebrate 25th Anniversary of The Lord of the Rings, Multi-Cask Maturation Capturing Subtropical Terroir

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first The Lord of the Rings film, The Fellowship of the Ring, officially licensed collectibles creator Syzygy Forge has partnered with New Zealand single malt distillery Pōkeno to officially launch the limited-edition Ringbearer Single Malt Whisky. This new release combines multiple oak cask maturation techniques to pay homage to the terroir and culture of the film's filming locations.

6-Year Aging and Pioneering Mānuka Honey Cask Recipe

This New Zealand Pōkeno whisky carries an age statement of at least 6 years, bottled at 46% ABV in a 700 ml format. In terms of raw ingredients, the distillery selects barley from family-owned farms on New Zealand's South Island and conducts a fermentation lasting up to 90 hours. Maturing in the local subtropical climate, its "Angel's share" evaporates significantly faster than in most whisky regions worldwide, accelerating the maturation pace of the spirit. For its cask recipe, this single malt brings together first-fill bourbon casks, virgin American oak casks, French Muscat casks, and exceptionally rare local New Zealand Mānuka honey-seasoned casks.

Golden Liquid and Delicate Tasting Profile

Ringbearer Single Malt Whisky presents a golden glow reminiscent of a dragon's hoard. On the nose, it exudes sweet notes of creamy vanilla, white chocolate, and Mānuka honey, accompanied by white peach aromas. The palate is vibrant with spicy layers and fruity notes of banana and melon, evolving into rich honey spread over warm buttered toast. The finish is long, fully showcasing the sweetness of Mānuka honey and a delicate, warming sensation.

Cross-Industry Collaboration Origins and Global Release

Syzygy Forge was founded by Tolkien collector Jordan Costner, who, along with co-founder Shawn Mason, met Pōkeno co-founder Matt Johns while traveling through New Zealand. Jordan Costner stated that collaborating with Pōkeno allowed them to craft an expression deeply rooted in New Zealand; Ringbearer is not merely a licensed product, but a celebration of the landscape and craftsmanship that helped bring Middle-earth to the silver screen. Matt Johns also noted that the distillery takes immense pride in showcasing the local climate and culture, pushing the boundaries of maturation with the first-ever use of Mānuka honey-seasoned casks in Ringbearer.

The whisky's packaging design is inspired by Middle-earth's Third Age cartography, specially created for the 25th anniversary celebration. This release is strictly limited globally, imported exclusively into the US market through a partnership between Scottish independent bottler and importer Alexander Murray & Company and Syzygy Forge, before arriving across authorized retail networks in select markets.

📅 Release Date: 2026-10-16

🔗 Source: Whisky Intelligence