Text by Richard Augustin
2025 sees the arrival of the Year of the Snake and we’ve uncovered some limited-edition Chinese New Year bottles that are perfect to celebrate the occasion. This year sees several major spirit brands step up their game to pay homage to the festivities. Whether it’s collaborating with artists or just flexing their creative muscles these presentations not only serve to symbolise a welcome for the 2025 zodiac but also an opportunistic way to say cheers to good fortune. If you’re in the market to get a head start on fortune and prosperity for Chinese New Year in 2025, these limited-edition bottles will no doubt satisfy.
A Stamp On Good Fortune
Louis XIII The Classic Decanter Lunar New Year – Year of the Snake.
To help welcome the Year of the Snake, Louis XIII enlists the help of the Palace Museum Cultural Innovation Institute and concept artist Liu Lihong. The end result is The Classic Decanter Lunar New Year – Year of the Snake. Bottled with the house’s finest and most precious eaux-de-vie made using grapes grown in Grande Champagne, the limited-edition bottle features a customised Chinese New Year papercut designed by Lihong. Utilising a traditional Chinese stamp, the artist showcases the 2025 zodiac animal and winter jasmine on the coffret – elements that symbolise good blessings of fortune, health and vigorousness for the new year.
A Shot Of Prosperity
The Don Julio 1942 Year of the Snake 2025 Limited Edition Añejo Tequila.
Premium tequila brand Don Julio is celebrating the Lunar New Year in a cool way with a limited-edition celebratory bottle. The Don Julio 1942 Year of the Snake 2025 Limited Edition Añejo Tequila is a luxurious and rare release that celebrates the Chinese zodiac. Offering an elegant tequila experience, the bottle is filled with exceptional Añejo, which has been masterfully aged and crafted in American oak barrels. Paying tribute to the festivities, the bottle is presented in auspicious red with an intricate, textured and detailed golden snake illustration on the front.
Harmonious Blend
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Snake.
For the second year in a row influential visual artist James Jean works his creative charm on the Johnnie Walker Blue Label. This year the Asian-American artist presents an innovative and dynamic interpretation of the 2025 zodiac. No doubt one of the most stunning Chinese New Year bottles for 2025, Jean’s design symbolises an auspicious ambition for constant progression and self-reinvention, reflecting the values at the heart of Johnnie Walker. The design features a trio of snakes symbolising the attributes of wisdom, intelligence, and intuition, while also representing the past, present, and future.
Creative Reimagination
Hennessy x Shuting Qiu 2025 CNY collection.
This year, Maison Hennessy presents three unique Chinese New Year bottles featuring the serpent. Titled ‘Reimagination’ the house’s limited-edition collection celebrates the Year of the Snake with vibrant, abstract interpretations created by Chinese fashion designer Shuting Qiu. The 2025 zodiac takes centre stage on each bottle of Hennessy VSOP, X.O, and Paradis cognac carafes. Qiu’s designs blend traditional Chinese motifs with contemporary flair, symbolising renewal and positive transformation, which serve to honour both Chinese cultural heritage whilst showcasing Hennessy’s commitment to artistic innovation.
Model Presentation
Asahi Super Dry x TERADAMOKEI
Although not technically fitting into this list’s category, Asahi is nevertheless deserving of a mention. This year the Japanese beer brand has unveiled an exclusive Lunar New Year packaging design with Japanese Model Kit art project, TERADAMOKEI. The packaging and key visual of the limited-edition design incorporates a 1:100 scale Model Kit concept, which constructs a vibrant Lunar New Year social scene. Offering an entirely new and modern perspective to the traditional CNY celebration TERADAMOKEI’s inventive design transforms these special edition cans into small-scale frames of festive fun.
