Spirit Forward is a series documenting the latest releases in the world of drinks. In this edition, we check out all the limited-edition CNY 2025 liquor bottles worth getting.
Hennessy x Shuting Qiu “Reimagination” collection
This year, Hennessy partners with Chinese fashion designer Shuting Qiu to dress three of their best-selling bottlings in the spirit of the Year of the Snake. Themed “Reimagination”, the collection draws inspiration from the snake, shedding its past and renewing its vigour for a positive transformation. All three flacons are dressed in red; the VSOP bottle comes embossed with floral motifs alongside Shuting Qiu-designed patterns that have traditional motifs and abstract snake representations. It also comes with a vibrant linen bag that can be reused even after the bottle is done. Meanwhile, the XO bottle has a gorgeous blue-red ombre with a leather collar and gold cork, and the Paradis has a sculptural snake design.
The collection is available locally at key retail partners and major supermarkets in Malaysia, as well as online at The Good Stuff.
L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition – Assemblage du Serpent
Existing collectors of the annual L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition will be thrilled to know that the Snake edition is now available for purchase. The Assemblage du Serpent is only available in 500 units worldwide and comes in a crystal decanter and features the head of a serpent as its stopper. Should you decide to uncork the bottle, you’ll find the cognac is crafted from over 1,400 eaux-de-vie by Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud, featuring a bouquet of citrus, spices, tobacco, candied fruit, and blackcurrants. On the palate, it features the same citrus notes ending with a long, woody finish.
Please contact Pernod Ricard Malaysia for interest on purchase.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year Limited Edition
Nothing short of premium, Johnnie Walker accesses their Blue Label whisky to collaborate with Taiwanese-American artist James Jean. Inspired by the Year of the Snake this Lunar New Year, the matte bottle is dressed up in interlocking artistic impressions of snakes, according to Jean. “The snakes shed their skin in a continual process of renewal and growth. In an interlocking group of three, the snakes symbolize the attributes of wisdom, intelligence, and intuition, while also representing the past, present, and future.
“Constantly growing, transforming, and adapting to an ever-changing world, the snake is resilient and eternal,” the artist explains in his Instagram post.
Available at major supermarkets and select fine wine retailers.
Martell Cordon Bleu x Wu Jian’an
For their Chinese New Year collaboration this year, Martell taps Chinese artist Wu Jian’an, famous for his works with luxury fashion houses Dior and Hermes. He paid a visit to Cognac and birthed the artwork for this collaboration, creating his signature intricate compositions with vibrant designs and elements that pay tribute to the Lunar New Year tradition as well as Cognac.
His designs can be found on the Martell Cordon Bleu bottle featuring lanterns, grapevines, and dynamic patterns. The limited edition is available in just a bottle and also in the Martell Cordon Bleu Giftset, which comes with a finely crafted decanter in an elegant display box.
Available for purchase on Lazada and Shopee.
Chivas 18 x Michelle Yap
Celebrate Chinese New Year and support the local art scene with the Chivas 18 CNY gift set in collaboration with Malaysian artist Michelle Yap. She’s known for her use of traditional Chinese ink and modern mediums in innovative ways. For this collaboration, Yap has brushed out a design that revolves around the essence of energy, renewal, and resilience with snake motifs, gold brush strokes, and midnight blue colours.
Available at select retail outlets and online.
Penfolds 2025 Lunar New Year
In the spirit of ssssslaying, Penfolds has also created a Lunar New Year gifting set featuring some of their best-selling wines. These include the Grange 2020, Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2022, and the RWT Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2022. This marks the first time that the Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 750ml format is available within the Lunar New Year collection; as well as a 1.5L Magnum. The gift boxes for each wine types differ, with the commonality being the snake emblem across the classic Penfolds red—equally as auspicious for the Chinese New Year.
Available at major supermarkets and select fine wine retailers including Jaya Grocer, Chinese Medical Hall, Wine Shops, and The Chamber.