The dragon, considered by many to be the most powerful of the Zodiac Animals, is a symbol of creativity and life. It also represents future prosperity in the traditional Asian culture. As Lunar New Year approaches, households across the globe eagerly prepare to usher in the festivities with family and friends. Lunar New Year celebrations are culturally and festively significant, and they’re influenced by family and friend ties. A memorable celebration includes more than just delicious food. It also involves a tasty alcohol pairing. LUXUO offers a wide range of alcohols that will enhance the mood at any celebration. From new bottle designs to festive meal pairings.
1. Louis XIII
Specially crafted for the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon celebration, the Louis XIII Cognac begins with notes of candied fruit before fading into floral notes. You can expect hints of saffron, jasmine and cigar box to be followed by a spicy, long finish. The LOUIS XIII Cognac is typically recommended to be savoured after a meal, however, it also pairs well with light seafood, for instance, a steamed garoupa (which signifies an abundance of wealth during the lunar new year) or fish maw soup.
2. Remy Martin XO
The Dragon represents prestige. As the House’s symbol since 1870, the Centaur guides Rémy Martin forward, embodying authenticity and audacity. The XO’s decanter takes festive inspiration from the 300-year reunion of the Centaur and Dragon. When it comes to flavour, Remy Martin XO worked with Michelin-starred chef Brandon Jew to create the ultimate culinary and cocktail pairing this Lunar New Year. Rémy Martin XO “Elegant” is a cocktail concocted with apple syrup, lemon and hot chrysanthemum tea and can be paired well with a beef tendon with Lanzhou chilli oil yield, red pepper puree and potato crisps. Two other pairings with Rémy Martin XO cocktails include the smoked oyster youtiao as well as fried sesame ball. This is a traditional Chinese dessert that’s served at Lunar New Year.
3. The Macallan
The Macallan’s “A Night on Earth – The Journey” is a unique single malt Scotch whisky created by the brand to represent the journey to reunite with loved ones from around the world. The Macallan A Night on Earth 2 is the second edition of the series. The bottle has been encased with a multi-layered package, designed in collaboration by the acclaimed Chinese artist Nini. In order to create an unforgettable unboxing, each layer has a meaning. After the landscape, there is a night scene with fireworks. Finally, a daytime scene of mountains covered in clouds. This limited-edition whisky is created using a perfectly balanced combination of The Macallan’s exceptional sherry-seasoned European and American oak casks together with American ex-bourbon barrels. There is a sweet, nuttiness to the whisky’s flavour profile that evokes some of Nini Sum’s sweetest Lunar New Year memories.
4. Johnnie Walker Blue Label x James Jean
James Jean, a visual artist of great influence, created the new Johnnie Walker Blue Label Limited Edition design. “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”, says Jean.
5. Aberfeldy
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Aberfeldy’s single malt whiskey. Each expression (12, 16, and 21-years-old) will add a unique touch to your celebrations. First, Aberfeldy’s 12-year-old single malt is an exquisite whisky, with its notes of honey, spices, vanilla, and a subtle hint of smoke, becomes the perfect accompaniment to the festive feast. The fusion of flavors creates a symphony in your mouth when paired with traditional Yee Shang. It is the perfect accompaniment to a festive feast. Aberfeldy’s 16-year-old single malt is a rich, full-bodied whisky with indulgent notes of honey, fruitcake, and dark chocolate. Enjoy a dram with bak kwa, or pair it with peanut cookies. Finally, Aberfeldy’s 21-year-old single malt is the embodiment of the opulent grand finale of Chap Goh Mei (15th day of Lunar New Year) with loved ones, savouring the delightful notes of heather honey, creamy macadamia nuts, dried fruits, toasted coconut, silky oak, and a subtle trace of smoke.
6. L’Or de Jean Martell
Martell rings in the Year of the Dragon with the limited edition Martell Cordon Bleu & Martell Noblige Bottle, designed by French designer Vincent Darré. The design pays tribute to the meeting of two cultures, represented by a magnificent, dazzling dragon (a symbol of power and good fortune) and an elegant, stylised swift, symbolising Maison Martell’s spirit of freedom. As for what’s inside the bottle, expect the rich blend of Martell Noblige, composed with a minimum of 100 eaux-de-vie from the finest terroirs in the Cognac region. The unique woody flavor provides a perfect balance of strength and smoothness. The L’Or de Jean can be paired with either seafood or spicy dishes. Abalone or fish maw will give you a robust flavor. If you are feeling bold, however, you may choose to eat dishes that are lightly spiced.
7. Hennessy
Hennessy welcomes the 2024 Lunar New Year, the majestic Year of the Dragon, with a striking limited-edition collection inspired by a digital art piece created by visionary Chinese artist Yang Yongliang, dubbed “Dragon’s Odyssey”. Yang Yongliang, in honour of the Chinese Zodiac’s most important and symbolic animal, the dragon, has created a striking collection of digital art that combines traditional drawings. Inspired by Maison Hennessy’s campaign tagline of “together we are unstoppable”, the limited-edition collection embraces the ethos of 2024; a year to unleash positive energy and celebrate what brings us together. The art-adorned bottles are available in Hennessy V.S.O.P, X.O and Paradis — an exquisite and rare collectable decanter in a beautiful oak giftbox. These bottles make great gifts for the holiday season or to celebrate the New Year with friends and loved ones. They can also be used as centrepieces in the home.
8. Penfolds
Penfolds, in celebration of the Dragon, one of the most revered signs, has launched a limited-edition range.
featuring Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz Magnum 1.5L. With the zesty notes of black fruit and red fruit compote followed by the sweetness of cocoa powder along with plenty of savoury flavours to balance out the sweetness in cold sliced salted beef, roast lamb cooking juices, the fine tannins of Penfold’s Bin 398 Cabernet Shiraz 2024 works as a compliment to Lunar New Year dishes as it is reminiscent of oolong tea, however, the bottle’s savoury flavours also compliments meat dishes.
9. Glenfiddich
When it comes to gifting, Glenfiddich’s Limited-Edition Gift Packs is one to beat. Glenfiddich has created a collection of limited-edition gifts in collaboration with internationally acclaimed artists Raku Inoue. These sets were inspired by the great outdoors. Harnessing the most majestic elements. Fu Lu is the Glenfiddich Stag. It’s made from natural materials, petal by flower, element by aspect, and fits this auspicious time. The Glenfiddich Reserva Rum Cask 21,-years-old pack is the first in the limited edition series. It spans a core range of 12, 15, and 18-years-old variants that come as gift packages containing a Glenfiddich branded whisky glass and a bottle.
10. Bowmore
Bowmore celebrates the Year of the Dragon with the renowned Bowmore 18-year-old “Festive Dragon Box”, presented in a lustrous red copper box bearing the dragon motif. The Bowmore Whisky Rock Glass is a great way to enjoy the classic Bowmore smoke.
11. Glenglassaugh
Glenglassaugh pays homage to the brand’s coastal home at the Glenglassaugh Distillery. The spirit, as with all Glenglassaugh expressions is influenced by the land and the sea. Each cask presents an exceptional sensory experience, reflecting different facets of the distillery’s coastal character and provenance. The collection of rare and old cask bottlings is located on the rugged north coast of the Scottish Highlands. It offers a unique East meets West approach for the Lunar New Year.
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