Celebrate The Year Of The Snake With These 6 Limited Release Bottles
by Jillian Dara · ForbesDespite the increasingly prolific trend of premium alcohol brands flaunting exclusive releases in partnership with artists and luxury brands, the Lunar New Year has long witnessed limited edition releases—this year is no different.
The 2025 Chinese New Year begins on January 29th. In celebration of the forthcoming Year of the Snake, luxury spirits and wine brands have announced their themed editions dedicated to the two-week holiday (it concludes on February 12th this year).
From an ultra-luxury añejo tequila to an exclusive magnum of wine, here six commemorative releases for the Chinese New Year.
Skorpios 1618 Extra Añejo Year of The Snake
Ultra-premium, family-owned tequila brand Skorpios 1618 is no stranger to snakes. Their permanent collection of tequila blanco, reposado, añejo and joven are all encased in varying serpent-shaped vessels, but their special release for the Lunar New Year is truly unique as it’s not just a limited edition decanter (only 888 bottles) but also a new liquid for Skorpios. The crimson-colored decanter in the shape of a coiled snake hosts an extra añejo tequila that’s aged for 36 months in ex-bourbon barrels before it’s finished in former Cognac barrels. The finish imparts cognac flavors like plum, vanilla and light fig, as well as textures—sips are ultra-smooth with pronounced agave notes that linger on the palate. // $588, reservebar.com
Louis XIII Limited Edition Lunar New Year Coffret
This special-release cognac marks the second-ever Louis XIII Limited Edition Lunar New Year Coffret that beholds the brand’s signature Baccarat decanter. Louis XIII collaborated with Chinese artist Liu Li Hong, who adorned the classic red packaging with a golden snake and blooming winter jasmine to portray the themes of the Lunar New Year ahead: prosperity, wisdom and transformation. This limited edition is available to purchase for $4,200 by direct contact only (conciergerie.us@louisxiii-cognac.com).
Penfolds 2022 Bin 389 Year of the Snake Magnum
In 2022, this Australian wine producer released its first Chinese wine, made from grapes grown in its Shangri-La vineyards. As a celebration of their global expansion, this Lunar New Year, Penfolds released a 2022 magnum of their famed Bin 389 label, a Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz blend. The 1.5 liter bottle is wrapped in a ruby box decorated with a gold and turquoise snake to pay homage to Asian culture beyond China. // $225, penfolds.com
Don Julio 1942 Year Of The Snake 2025 Limited Edition
This small-batched añejo tequila from Don Julio sports a temporarily new look for the Lunar New Year. The elongated bottle trades its translucent copper hue for an opaque scarlet red that’s accented with a gold snake and the Aztec feathered serpent to respectively pay homage to both the Chinese zodiac and Don Julio’s native deity. In addition to the themed decanter, Don Julio partnered with New York-based mixologist Fanny Chu to curate a singular sipping experience for Lunar New Year celebrations, including a “Tea-quila Ceremony” designed by Chu where Tequila Don Julio 1942 Year of the Snake Edition is served in the enclosed teacups and garnished with a citrus-salted rim or chocolate-dipped orange peel. // $199.99, sipwhiskey.com
Rémy Martin x Huang Yuxing Collection
The House of Rémy Martin worked with Chinese artist Huang Yuxing to depict a series of unique gift boxes for Rémy Martin XO and Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal. The Beijing-born-and-raised artist is known for his interpretations of a fantastical universe, which he applies to these unique releases; his artwork titled ‘Majestic Serpentine’ is a whimsical blend of the new zodiac sign with the uniqueness of Cognac’s Grande and Petite Champagne terroir. Rémy Martin XO boasts Yuxing’s designs on both the casing and the carafe; the vibrantly-hued snakes and mountains present a hypnotic effect that stands out from the Lunar New Year’s traditional red and gold palette. For Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, just the canister is enhanced with Yuxing’s colorful snake motifs, as it encases the long-barrel toasted cognac. // $224.99 for Rémy Martin XO; $64.99 for Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, remymartin.com
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select Lunar New Year 2025
Wrapped in snake motif packaging, the Jack Daniel’s Lunar New Year offering makes for a perfect gift for the holiday; a bottle of the Single Barrel Select is paired with a Jack Daniel’s-branded rocks glass designed to elevate the sipping experience of this unique whiskey. The liquid inside the festive packaging is the product of aging one of every 100 barrels at a high reach in the distillery’s barrel houses. The higher positioning exposes the barrel to greater temperature changes which in turn cause the whiskey to interact more with the oak barrels for a resulting flavor profile of caramel and toasted oak, brightened by red fruit notes. // $54.99, reservebar.com