Alcohol brands are heralding the Year of the Wood Dragon with exclusive alcohol releases that make for stylish gifting or boozy celebrations. Whether through thoughtful gift sets or specially designed packages, these brands are roaring in the Lunar New Year with all things dragon-related.
Pictured Above: The Macallan a Night on Earth – The Journey
Acclaimed Chinese mixed-media artist Nini Sum captures the sights and sounds of the Lunar New Year reunion and festivities with specially designed packaging for The Macallan A Night on Earth – The Journey. The second release of The Macallan A Night on Earth series features a multi-layered pack that symbolises the different stages of the journey to reunite with loved ones at the Lunar New Year. A night sky filled with stars and fireworks transitioning to daylight with mountains and clouds acts as the first layer on the journey home. A blue colour palette signifying the contemporary urban scenery acts as the second layer, symbolising locals moving out of the city. The final layer reveals yellow and orange tones, conveying the warmth of lantern light and homeliness.
Rémy Martin
Rémy Martin takes an opulent spin this year as the cognac house begins its third centenary with a full circle moment, celebrating the Year of the Wood Dragon, the same zodiac sign when the cognac House was born in 1724. Though Rémy Martin selected the Centaur as its emblem, it shares similar virtues to the dragon — a shared strength and passion for excellence. The heavenly reunion begins with an ornate box adorned with dragon scale motifs before fanning open to reveal an exclusive XO decanter with a dragon encircling the iconic Rémy Martin emblem. Together, the Dragon and Centaur unleash an abundance of auspicious vitality and hope for the year ahead.
Maison Martell Cordon Bleu and Noblige
Maison Martell ropes in French interior decorator Vincent Darré for not one but two exclusive designs for the cognac house. Darré’s flamboyance and contemporary vision of French decorative arts are captured through the reinterpretation of the famed Martell Swift and, the blue ribbon of the Martell Cordon Bleu and a specially designed dragon for Martell Noblige.
Martell Cordon Bleu Limited Edition – The Swift of Peace
With a message of peace unifying the five continents, the emblematic Martell Swift is reimagined as a poetic dove while the Martell Cordon Bleu’s blue ribbon connects people with its unique bounty of taste. The gift box reveals the Martell swift, globe and blue ribbon – an evocation of the voyage of the swift and legendary Martell Cordon Bleu, housed in a box and bottle which feature a watercolour effect that reinforces the artistic dimension of this limited edition.
Martell Noblige Limited Edition – The Surreal Encounter
Darré presents a fantasy swift encounter with the Year of the Dragon through an expressive and symbolic design inspired by the Dragon zodiac. The East meets West designs pay tribute to both cultures, with the dragon bringing power and good fortune while Maison Martell’s swift symbolises the Maison’s spirit of freedom. Vivid imagery captures the essence of this limited edition release, with a ship guided by swifts being welcomed by a pair of majestic dragons as it completes its voyage from France to China. Red and golden hues shine upon the precious cargo of cognac, heralding prosperity for the year ahead.
Royal Salute 21 Year Old Lunar New Year Limited Edition
Royal Salute taps Chinese-born artist Yunshu Li to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a striking illustration evoking the liveliness and authentic heritage of the Lunar New Year festivities. The global cultural significance of the Lunar New Year is brought to life through Li’s expressive work and, with it, a sense of hope and happiness. Royal Salute’s iconic gun salute from the Tower of London fires off cheerful pops of colour through floral and firework arrangements, bringing wishes of happiness, growth, prosperity, and love to capture Royal Salute’s authentic heritage in moments of celebration.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label x James Jean Lunar New Year Limited Edition
Johnnie Walker taps the influential Asian-American visual artist James Jean for a special bottle and packaging design that echoes the defiant optimism of the Johnnie Walker motto, Keep Walking. With experience as a cover artist for DC and Marvel Comics, designing posters for Everything Everywhere All At Once and Mother! and collaborating with Prada for the Resort 2018 capsule amongst his very rich repertoire of works, Jean interprets the Wood Dragon for Johnnie Walker Blue Label. In James’ layered visuals, the evergreen Wood Dragon springs from bountiful flora and fauna and bursts to life with auspicious ambition.
Bowmore 18 Year Old Festive Dragon Box
It is a time for celebrations, great fortune, and reuniting with those who matter the most, journey to an extraordinary new universe, where the legend of Bowmore and the Wood Dragon intertwine this Lunar New Year. Bowmore celebrates the Year of the Dragon with the iconic Bowmore 18 Year Old Festive Dragon Box, presented in a lustrous red copper box bearing the dragon motif. Enjoy the classic Bowmore smokiness with the accompanying Bowmore whisky rock glass.
Glenfiddich A Gift For Blossoming Futures
Lunar New Year signifies the start of spring and brings with it the promise of new life waiting to blossom. Together with the talents of Raku Inoue, Glenfiddich unveils A Gift for Blossoming Futures through a series of limited edition gift packs. Born in Japan and based in Canada, Inoue’s mastery of drawing, handcrafting and photography and recent love for flowers, leaves, and various flora species harmonises Glenfiddich’s iconic Stag insignia with the Wood Dragon. The limited edition series is led by the Glenfiddich Reserva Rum Cask 21 Year Old pack and spans the core range of 12, 15 and 18 Year Old variants, which come as gift packs containing a bottle and Glenfiddich-branded whisky glasses. Experience the Glenfiddich Chinese New Year Pop-Up Experience from now till 4 February 2024 at Suntec City Atrium Tower 3 & 4 with exclusive prices for the gift packs.
Penfolds Grange 2019 Lunar New Year Gift Box
Penfolds celebrates the revered Dragon zodiac with the ultimate gift, the Grange 2019 Lunar New Year Gift Box. Inspired by the strength and power of the Dragon, the exclusive release features intricate golden dragon patterns and scales against a bold red backdrop. This marks the first commercial release of the Grange from its previous experimental launches, coinciding with the Year of the Dragon to commemorate gatherings with loved ones and as a statement gift to be treasured for years to come.
Benriach
With virtues of harmony and peace favoured during the Lunar New Year, imbibing a dram of Benriach 12 makes perfect sense during the reunion. A medley of whiskies matured for at least 12 years in sherry casks, bourbon barrels, and port casks harmonises for a smooth and layered sherry-rich single malt. The renowned Speyside export takes on a celebratory guise in the Year of the Dragon with dragon motifs patterned alongside a mantle of clouds.
Asahi Super Dry
Asahi Super Dry celebrates the Lunar New Year with a vibrant splash of colours on its iconic silver can. The Japanese beer brand ropes in acclaimed Japanese pixel artist, Hermippe, for an intricate, dynamic pixel art design to commemorate the Year of the Dragon. A series of red, yellow and white pixels come together to capture the spirit of the Dragon.
Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our February 2024 issue.
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