Cover Hennessy’s limited-edition bottles for Chinese New Year (Photo: Hennessy)
Hennessy’s limited-edition bottles for Chinese New Year (Photo: Hennessy)
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With Chinese New Year just around the corner, we’ve rounded up a selection of limited-edition wines and spirits that are perfect for gifting or sharing with family and friends during reunion dinners
As the Chinese New Year approaches, it’s time to celebrate new beginnings, reunite with loved ones, and share tokens of appreciation that embody prosperity and joy. What better way to do this than sharing a glass (or two!) of wine and spirits over reunion dinners? Whether you’re looking to impress your family, surprise your friends, or show gratitude to business partners, the right bottle can speak volumes.
From velvety reds that warm the heart to elegant spirits that toast to brighter days, this curated selection of limited-edition expressions is perfect for gifting or sharing at the dining table, ensuring your Chinese New Year celebrations are truly unforgettable.
Don’t miss: The best wines to bring to Chinese New Year reunion dinners, according to top sommeliers
1. Hennessy
Above Hennessy’s limited-edition cognacs created in collaboration with Shanghai-based fashion designer Shuting Qiu (Photo: Hennessy)
Hennessy’s limited-edition cognacs created in collaboration with Shanghai-based fashion designer Shuting Qiu (Photo: Hennessy)
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Hennessy has been a part of many reunion dinner celebrations and the cognac house is ushering in the Year of the Snake with three limited-edition releases created in collaboration with Shanghai-based fashion designer Shuting Qiu.
Titled ‘Reimagination’, the special collection sees the Hennessy VSOP, XO and Paradis cognac bottles feature Qiu’s modern design inspired by her cultural heritage as well as the spring season. Thus, the bottles come in a vibrant red hue and are dressed in floral motifs and snake-scale patterns traditionally found in jacquard, brocade and embroidery from her hometown of Hangzhou.
The Lunar New Year collection is available for purchase at major chain supermarkets. Cognac fans can also visit the Crafted by Hennessy Pop-up to make purchases directly at its retail counter from January 13 to 17, 2025.
2. Glenfiddich
Above Glenfiddich 18 Year Old
Glenfiddich 18 Year Old
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The upcoming Chinese New Year is also an exciting time for family-owned Scotch distillery William Grant & Sons, as it collaborated with contemporary ink artist Zhang Yu to launch its limited-edition Glenfiddich collection, ‘A Gift For Great Encounters’. Yu imagined the striking design to be a chance encounter between Glenfiddich’s iconic stag and the legendary nine-coloured deer, and Yu brought this to life by merging traditional Chinese ink wash painting with vibrant colours and contemporary techniques.
Her artwork adorns the Glenfiddich Gran Reserva Rum Cask finish 21 Year Old pack, as well as the core range of 12, 15 and 18 Year Old bottles. The gift packs also come with a pair of nosing glasses.
The Glenfiddich limited-edition gift packs are available for purchase at selected retailers, as well as Paneco and Changi Airport Lotte Duty Free stores (for the travel-exclusive Glenfiddich Gran Reserva Rum Cask finish 21 Year Old).
3. Penfolds
Above Penfolds Bin 389
Penfolds Bin 389
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Trust Penfolds to join in the Chinese New Year festivities with its four key expressions—namely the Grange 2020, Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2022, and Rwt Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz—come in a vibrant red box designed with gold embellishments and the snake zodiac slithering through it. For the first time, the Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 750ml bottle will also come with the snake design on the packaging.
The launch of the Chinese New Year collection follows the highly successful global launch of the Penfolds Year of the Dragon in 2024. Penfolds chief marketing officer Kristy Keyte shares, “We are thrilled to be launching Penfolds Lunar New Year Snake ahead of such a significant festive season. A valuable addition to any wine collection, these designs are bold and distinctly Penfolds, and will be championed not only across products, but also our digital platforms, in-store activations and experience-driven events.”
The Penfolds Chinese New Year collection is available for purchase at major retailers.
Read more: Watch: Penfolds winemaker Stephanie Dutton on what makes the 2023 releases special
4. L‘Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition: Assemblage du Serpent
Above L‘Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition: Assemblage du Serpent
L‘Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition: Assemblage du Serpent
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Every year, Martell cellar master Christophe Valtaud welcomes the Chinese New Year with a limited-edition cognac that enhances the festive spirit. This year, he crafted the L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition: Assemblage du Serpent as an homage to this year’s snake zodiac.
What makes this release extra special is that it’s a blend of over 1,400 meticulously chosen eaux-de-vie from the Martell cellars—some of these are even rare vintages from the previous Years of the Snake. The result is a cognac that evolves with complexity—initially delicate with citrus and soft spice notes, before unveiling hints of mild tobacco and precious wood when agitated.
In collaboration with Baccarat, Martell created a decanter with a 19-carat gold neck engraved with snakeskin motif and edition number (there are only 500 bottles available worldwide), and crowned with a red crystal stopper shaped like a serpent’s head.
Registrations are available via https://mar.tl/serpentsg.
Read more: Les Fûts Uniques de Martell is the world’s first cognac cask programme ever launched
5. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Snake
Above Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Snake (Photo: Johnnie Walker)
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Snake (Photo: Johnnie Walker)
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James Jean, one of the most influential Asian-American artists in the world, has collaborated with Johnnie Walker Blue Label once again to reimagine the design of its bottle for the upcoming Chinese New Year.
In his redesign of the iconic blue bottle—featuring snakes shedding their skin—Jean explained that the concept represents renewal, growth, and the ambition to keep progressing and evolving, values central to Johnnie Walker. “The three snakes symbolise wisdom, intelligence and intuition, while also representing the past, present, and future,” shared Jean. “They are constantly growing, transforming, and adapting to changing conditions.”
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Snake is available for purchase at selected retailers.
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Dudi Aureus is the senior dining and travel editor at Tatler Singapore, covering the city’s most exciting restaurants, global travel trends, and the personalities shaping the culinary and lifestyle scenes. She also serves as co-jury chair for the Tatler Best awards in Singapore, celebrating the very best in hospitality. When she’s off duty, she can often be found at a favourite hole-in-the-wall Thai spot, savouring a perfectly balanced pad thai.
