We did a dragon-themed spirits post last year, didja think we would neglect the SEO gods and not do one for the Year of the Snake? Chinese New Year is a season for brands to come in with their own special editions; like Glenfiddich, who made its presence known in the Chinese market 17 years ago and is riding high on the Chinese's appreciation for Scotch whisky. From the exclusive to the beguiling packaging, we present the snake-themed spirits that tickled our fancies.

L'Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition "The Enigma of the Snake"

First up, we have Martell paying homage to the Year of the Snake. Continuing L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition series, the star of the hour (or the year) takes the limelight in a crystal decanter crafted by Baccarat. Limited to just 500 individually numbered bottles, this rare release captures the mysticism of the serpent with Martell Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud taking inspiration from the Chinese legend of Nüwa, the goddess who mended the heavens and shaped humanity.

Valtaud selected eaux-de-vie from past Years of the Snake editions and blended them with the original L’Or de Jean Martell, which consists of over 1,400 eaux-de-vie from Cognac’s finest terroirs. With light amber with mahogany undertones, the Assemblage du Serpent reveals itself in layers. The nose picks up citrus and soft spices, followed by the aromas of cedar, tobacco, and walnuts before it evolves into candied fruits, blackcurrant, and quince marmalade. On the palate, we have bold citrus and roasted wood.

The decanter is shaped like a single, pure drop of cognac. Crowned with a red crystal stopper sculpted into a serpent’s head, the neck is sheathed in 19-carat gold and engraved with a snakeskin motif (that's where the edition number is found). Resting on a gold-tone pedestal etched with tiny scales, the ensemble is a triumph of craftsmanship.

If you've SGD14,888 lying about, you can use that to get the L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition – Assemblage du Serpent. Purchase can be made at Pernod Ricard Singapore’s members club, Le Cercle or via e-mail at hello@le-cercle.sg

Glenfiddich "A Gift For Great Encounters" Edition

Once more, for this year, Glenfiddich, roped in another collaborator—contemporary ink artist Zhang Yu—for another round of exclusive gift sets. Titled A Gift for Great Encounters (福鹿双至), this series toasts the intersection of two storied cultures. Drawing inspiration from the imagined meeting of the Glenfiddich Stag and the mythical Nine-Coloured Deer (a legendary creature from Chinese lore), we get a stunning tableau of the encounter that's brought to life through Zhang Yu's brush strokes.

At the heart of this limited-edition series is the Glenfiddich Gran Reserva Rum Cask Finish 21-Year-Old, a whisky that embodies time, craft, and a touch of tropical indulgence. Complementing it are special gift packs featuring the core range—12-, 15-, and 18-Year-Old variants—each paired with whisky-nosing glasses. (If you're interested in the 21-Year-Old Gran Reserva, you can find it at Changi Airport’s Lotte Duty Free stores.)

Until 28 February, purchases of these gift packs come with Glenfiddich red packets. These limited-edition releases can be found at selected retailers like Paneco, and Changi Airport’s Lotte Duty Free stores. For more details, click here

Carlsberg 一起發

Carlsberg trades in its usual visuals for something new to mark its 178th anniversary. This Chinese New Year, the iconic Danish brewer partners with creative duo 1983ASIA (Yao & Su Su) for a limited-edition packaging as part of its Carlsberg 一起發 campaign.

Yao and Su Su took Carlsberg’s iconic Hop Leaf motif and turned it into a symbol of vitality and good fortune—a golden snake crowned with hops, its body adorned with blossoming flowers; a vision of renewal, crowned with legacy.

The campaign, Carlsberg 一起發, carries a deeper meaning. In Chinese, the phrase sounds like "one," "seven," and "eight," a homonym for unity, success, and prosperity; a nod to Carlsberg’s milestone year, connecting nearly 200 years (okay, so we rounded up a bit) of brewing expertise to the promise of a flourishing future.

Carlsberg 一起發 is available at FairPrice, Sheng Siong, Giant and Cold Storage; each purchase can net a free limited-edition Prosperity Poker Set. For more information, click here.

The GlenAllacie Year of the Snake Edition

Every Saint Patrick’s Day, we hear about the missionary who drove snakes out of Ireland. But while Ireland shunned reptiles, The GlenAllachie has embraced them with its first Chinese Zodiac-themed release: The Year of the Snake Edition—an 11-Year-Old Single Malt finished in Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, and Virgin Oak casks.

Master Distiller Billy Walker, a true virtuoso of whisky, helms this release. This Zodiac-inspired whisky caters to Asia’s growing demand for Scotch. “Having travelled to numerous Asian countries this year,” Walker says, “I’ve witnessed first-hand the appreciation for Scotch whisky in the region. This expression is a toast to that moment.” At 48 per cent ABV, the whisky offers a symphony of flavours: orange peel, caramelised ginger, and brandied cherries on the nose; butterscotch, blood orange, and cinnamon butter on the palate. It’s a dram born from a triad of wood finishes—Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks paired with charred Virgin Oak barrels.

Its presentation is equally striking. Wrapped in auspicious green, the packaging features hand-drawn illustrations and embossed gold accents, with a snake charm hanging from the neck—more talisman than ornament.

Purchase The GlenAllachie’s Year of the Snake Edition here

Asahi Super Dry TERADAMOKEI Edition

If you're a fan of Tamiya Racing cars, you might dig Asahi Super Dry's newest limited-edition cans. The Japanese beer company teamed with TERADAMOKEI for a limited-edition model kit-designed cans and packaging to elevate the season into a playground of creativity.

Founded in 2011 by architect and designer Naoki Terada, TERADAMOKEI began with small paper model kits for architectural dioramas. Soon, Terada and his team redefined the genre by swapping machinery motifs for intimate human scenes and replacing plastic with paper. It’s craft with character, as much about storytelling as it is about design.

For the Asahi Super Dry TERADAMOKEI editions, the cans are a 1:100 scale masterpiece—TERADAMOKEI's signature—with a design that captures a bustling Lunar New Year scene in miniature: tables set with Asahi Super Dry glassware, laughter in the air, and decorations lending a celebratory glow. Barley and hops take centre stage in vibrant yellow as speech bubbles dance across the design, symbolising the connections we make during this time of year. Wrapped in Lunar New Year red with Asahi’s iconic silver, the cans strike a perfect balance between tradition and modernity.

Asahi Super Dry TERADAMOKEI Edition is out now and comes with an exclusive red packet set. Each pack of six (330ml) cans also comes with a unique model kit sticker pack and is available at major supermarkets islandwide as well as online at RedMart and Shopee

crosschevron-down