Spirit Forward is a series documenting the latest releases in the world of drinks. In this edition, we check out special editions of spirits for the Lunar New Year.
Johnnie Walker x Robert Wun
Johnnie Walker has unveiled its 2026 Year of the Horse Limited Edition designs for Blue Label and John Walker & Sons XR 21, created in collaboration with Hong Kong-born, London-based haute couturier Robert Wun. The packaging features Wun’s signature surrealist aesthetic, depicting a dynamic horse in full stride alongside a figure dressed in dramatic couture with flowing fabrics. The Blue Label edition features rare whiskies selected from only one in 10,000 casks with a flavour profile of mellow smoke, rose petals, citrus, vanilla, and dark chocolate. Meanwhile, the XR 21 is crafted through a rare, three-stage blending technique with indulgent layers of honey, tropical fruit, and soft smoke.
The Blue Label is priced at RM1,208, and the XR 21 at RM808. Both releases are available at selected retail stores across Malaysia.
L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition
It’s the bottle every collector looks forward to annually: Martell has unveiled the L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition – Assemblage du Cheval, an exclusive tribute to the Year of the Horse in 2026. Only 500 bottles are available worldwide, with only 26 units in Malaysia, each individually numbered. Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud crafted this exceptional blend by carefully selecting very old eaux-de-vie from past Years of the Horse, primarily from Grande Champagne—where he was born and raised—to enrich the cognac’s essential character while evoking the noble, free spirit of the horse.
The resulting cognac offers a full and supple nose with aromas of honey, candied fruit, and floral overtones, while the palate has the vivacity of red fruit and blackcurrant. Created in collaboration with Baccarat, the elegant mouth-blown crystal decanter resembles a drop of cognac, crowned by a deep red crystal horse head stopper, resting on a golden pedestal embellished with a horseshoe pattern. The bottle is nestled in a beautifully crafted wooden case decorated with intricate horseshoe motifs.
Martell x He Datian
For the Year of the Horse, Martell is also unveiling a range of limited edition bottles featuring bespoke calligraphy by renowned Chinese artist He Datian, who is celebrated for his horse drawings and apparently shares a near-spiritual bond with these creatures. The collaboration honours Martell’s connection to the horse—in Chinese, the word for “horse” matches the first character of Martell—as well as the House’s heritage dating back to 1715 when 21-year-old founder Jean Martell travelled on horseback across Cognac, selecting the region’s finest eaux-de-vie.
He Datian’s masterful brush painting and calligraphy reveal horses emerging from Chinese characters, with each design uniquely adapted to reflect the personality of individual cognacs: a galloping steed for Martell VSOP, a dramatically rearing horse for Martell Noblige, a horse changing direction at speed for Martell Cordon Bleu, and similar custom illustrations for Martell XO. The limited edition bottles and boxes, featuring rich colours ranging from festive red and electric blue with gold flashes for Noblige and Cordon Bleu to precious gold and silver tones for XO, embody the shared energy between Martell and the horse. Incidentally, they are also auspicious holiday gifts that echo the craftsmanship behind the cognacs.
The Martell VSOP CNY 2026 Limited Edition Gift Set by He Datian 70cl + 3cl is priced at RM383; the Martell Noblige CNY 2026 Limited Edition by He Datian 70cl at RM403; the Martell Cordon Bleu CNY 2026 Limited Edition by He Datian 70cl at RM938; and the Martell XO CNY 2026 Limited Edition Gift Box by He Datian 70cl at RM1,048.
Deanston Virgin Oak Chinese New Year 2026
It’s not every year you get a Scotch brand with a limited-edition Chinese New Year packaging, but Deanston is joining the fray with the Deanston Virgin Oak Chinese New Year 2026 limited packaging for Malaysia. It celebrates the Year of the Horse with a design inspired by Scotland’s iconic Kelpies—the world-famous 30-metre-high, 300-tonne stainless steel equine sculptures located between Falkirk and Grangemouth that symbolise strength, energy, craftsmanship, and movement.
The specially designed external sleeve features bold, flowing lines and festive hues that capture the spirit of both the monument and the festivities, framing the award-winning Highland single malt that has earned multiple international accolades, including a recent 98 points at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2025. Crafted at the historic Deanston Distillery and first matured in ex-bourbon barrels before a 9-12 month finish in Virgin American Oak barrels, this whisky offers heady virgin oak with lemon zest and sweet barley sugar on the nose, a delightful sweetness with candied fruits, vanilla toffee, and heather honey on the palate, and a satisfying light spice finish with honeyed malt and sweet oakiness. It is bottled at 46.3% ABV and is non-chill filtered with natural colour.
The Deanston Virgin Oak Chinese New Year 2026 packaging is available at selected retailers and online at singleandavailable.com.my for RM257.
Hennessy Chinese New Year 2026
Hennessy celebrates Chinese New Year 2026 with a new limited-edition collection featuring specially designed bottles for the Hennessy V.S.O.P, Hennessy X.O, and Hennessy Paradis bottles. Each is wrapped in designs inspired by the Year of the Horse—a symbol of energy and freedom. The striking design combines metallic copper tones with deep mineral shades and a rich, flowing red palette reflecting prosperity and good fortune, with a sculptural galloping horse.
The Hennessy Chinese New Year 2026 collection is available across selected retail stores, supermarkets, and wine specialists throughout Malaysia while stocks last.
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