Ring in Chinese New Year with These Alcohol Picks
A great year starts with a good toast, and here are 5 to pick from this Chinese New Year.
For Chinese all over the world, the upcoming Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is a massive affair that will see one of the largest human migrations and the highest consumption of food and drinks. Undoubtedly, alcohol ranks near the top of the list and comprises spirits like whisky, gin and cognac. From the Macallan to Glenfiddich and Royal Salute, say “Cheers!” to the new year with these exquisite drinks.
The Macallan: A Night On Earth in Scotland
Inspired by Hogmanay, the traditional Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration, this limited-edition whisky makes a great gift this Lunar New Year as it parallels the universal optimism and joyfulness that binds both festivities together. Packaged in red, a symbol of great fortune, the whisky’s natural warm amber hue also complements the rich colour of its presentation box.
Crafted from a selection of The Macallan’s sherry seasoned American and European oak casks and ex-bourbon barrels, the whisky exudes notes of sweet vanilla, baked apples and baking biscuits on the nose. Taking a sip, the liquid’s soft velvety mouthfeel coats the palate and brings to mind shortbread along with toasted marshmallows, dried oranges, figs and cinnamon. The finish is medium with a lingering sweetness of butterscotch and freshly baked biscuits.
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- READ MORE: The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica: A Perfect Pairing of Whisky and Coffee
Royal Salute Lunar New Year Special Edition
A main staple at any celebrations, Royal Salute was created in 1953 to rejoice in momentous occasions like the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Continuing this long history, the distiller presents the Royal Salute Lunar New Year Special Edition to “Ignite the New Year”. Featuring a myriad of symbolic motifs like drums, lanterns, and celebratory streamers, the hand-crafted ruby flagon is believed to bring you and your family fortune and prosperity in the year ahead.
The bottle contains Royal Salute’s iconic 21-Year-Old Signature Blend with fruity and floral notes and a hint of sherry spice. The whisky’s sophisticated and opulent character complements flawlessly with its gift box’s design, which was inspired by traditional Chinese painting, literature and historical culture by renowned illustrator and visual designer Trajan Jia.
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Rémy Martin Limited Edition Gift Collection
Be it for a night of celebration or as a token of appreciation, Rémy Martin’s limited-edition cognacs are a great way to give a toast to a prosperous new year. Coming in three different iterations: Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal Harmonia Limited Edition, Rémy Martin XO Harmonia Limited Edition and Rémy Martin VSOP Harmonia Limited Edition, these exceptional liquids are best tasted in a cocktail. Rémy Martin even has a cocktail shaker to complete the special occasion.
Housed in a red coffret or shimmering gold gift box, the cognacs certainly add to the festivities of the widely celebrated Lunar New Year.
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Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year Limited Edition Design
For the Year of the Rabbit, Johnnie Walker collaborates with Shanghai-based designer Angel Chen to design its presentation box and the bottle itself. Featuring the animated rabbit, which represents mercy, elegance and beauty, the animal also signifies longevity in most Asian cultures and is illustrated by the prancing rabbits along different mountainous peaks.
For this limited-edition collection, Chen drew inspiration from the crafts Jonnie Walker Master Blender Emma Walker and her team bring to the distillery. “My work is often inspired by different generations, different genders and cultures coming together to create something fresh and new. These ideals echo the craft of Johnnie Walker, taking different types of whisky from different distilleries, with differing ages of maturation and blending them together perfectly to create a masterpiece – that is something I can relate to.”
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Glenfiddich Chinese New Year Gift Packs
Celebrate Chinese New Year and usher in the Year of the Rabbit with Glenfiddich as the whisky maker has unveiled its annual limited edition gift packs. This year’s edition of the iconic Glenfiddich Stag has been designed by Shanghai-based illustrator Yixin Zeng, who is known for his “vibrant, expressive detailed style of painting”. These special gift packs make a good gifting option to commemorate the occasion.
Each pack comes with a single malt Scotch whisky crafted by Malt Master Brian Kinsman, the Reserva Rum Cask 21-Year-Old. The exceptional spirit is finished in Caribbean rum-soaked casks, which gives the whisky a spicy warm and indulgent vanilla and toffee sweetness. Other variants in 12-, 15- and 18-Year-Old are also available in its corresponding design colour and housed in a beautiful gift box.
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