Collaborations between premium spirits brands and notable artists is the theme of the auspicious Year of the Wood Dragon when it comes to limited-edition releases. Johnnie Walker has partnered with Asian-American artist James Jean and Hennessy with Chinese artist Yang Yongliang while Remy Martin’s dragon motif is directly planted onto its bottle as never before—the spirit of the dragon is strong amongst all. Which among them will serve as the latest addition to your spirits collection as we step into a new year?
Johnnie Walker
A limited-edition expression of its Blue Label blend, Johnnie Walker has collaborated with Asian-American artist James Jean to design the Year of the Dragon bottle. As Jean drew inspiration from ancient tradition and the mystical symbolism of the Wood Dragon, the result is an exquisitely packaged dram that heady dreams are made of.
“Many consider the dragon the most powerful animal in the Chinese zodiac and the Wood Dragon felt remarkably close to me because of the natural elements prevalent in my own work,” said the artist in an official statement. “Evolved from traditional depictions of Chinese dragons, my dragon is composed of flowers and organic elements, from which emerge tendrils and arcing lines, evoking the idea of roots and connection.”
For Johnnie Walker fans, the “liquid gold inside” the bottle is the same as the core Blue Label, the pinnacle expression in the line-up. Master blender Dr Emma Walker brings to the table a selection of rare casks from parent company Diageo’s many distilleries. According to the brand, just “one in every 10,000 casks make the cut for this expression.” Its tasting notes include spice, vanilla, honey, caramel, hazelnut, and dark chocolate.
Hennessy
With a limited-edition collection inspired by a digital art piece created by visionary Chinese artist Yang Yongliang, take the epic journey of the “Dragon’s Odyssey” with the latest iteration of the famed Cognac. It comes with a golden, circuitous dragon encircling the iconic silhouette of the classic Hennessy bottle; the only mythical creature of the Chinese zodiac finds itself incarnated upon this collector’s release, all fire, claws, and brimstone.
Yongliang combined traditional drawings into a trio of metallic dragons dancing in and out of waves, with a three-dimensional element that enhances the texture of its skin and teeth. Red for luck and gold for prosperity, each bottle holds the aspirations of the new year within it.
Rémy Martin
Born 300 years ago in the Year of the Dragon, it’s a special kind of anniversary for Rémy Martin. Commemorating three centuries of the house’s history, Rémy Martin honours the dragon’s return with a special Chinese New Year limited-edition collection, celebrating the reunion of the leaping centaur—part of Rémy Martin’s logo since 1870—and the dragon with Rémy Martin XO, Rémy Martin Club, and Rémy Martin VSOP, each released in red and gold packaging. Pairing the golden alchemy of the dragon and centaur, the design brings with it hope and prosperity, and a powerful combination of East and West captured in crystal.
Rémy Martin’s cellar master drew from hundreds of eaux de vie to create three Cognacs of exceptional aromatic complexity; the nose varies from sublimely smooth to intense and aromatic, while the tasting notes feature a wide array of ripe and dried fruits, roasted coffee and cocoa bean flavours, liquorice and gingerbread, and spices.
