Celebrating the Year of the Horse: how we're marking Lunar New Year 2026

17 Feb 2026 Global Luxury Culture

2026 is the Year of the Horse, and our brands are marking it with limited-edition releases and cultural collaborations across our premium spirits portfolio, from tequila to Scotch whisky.

Why these collaborations matter

For millions of people, Lunar New Year is a time for gathering, gifting and looking ahead with optimism. Premium spirits play a central role in these celebrations across Asia and among communities worldwide. We want to show up for our consumers in ways that feel authentic and meaningful at moments that truly matter.

Limited-edition releases do more than market a moment; they create something collectible. When we partner with artists and cultural figures, we bring fresh perspectives to our heritage brands. It keeps us relevant to today’s luxury consumers, as we focus on cultural relevance and creative distinction.

Don Julio 1942: where heritage meets symbolism

Our Don Julio team spotted something special. 1942, the year founder Don Julio González began his tequila journey, was also a Year of the Horse.

The limited-edition bottle brings together traditional Mexican Ikat Rebozo fabric patterns with Chinese Zodiac horse imagery. It's a visual bridge between Mexican craftsmanship and Asian symbolism. The result is a collectible that honours both the brand's origins and what Lunar New Year represents.

As part of the Lunar New Year campaign, Don Julio brings together icons born under this zodiac, including actor Ross Butler and Max Siegelman of Siegelman Stable, a luxury lifestyle brand with a deep equestrian heritage. The brand and Siegelman introduced a limited-edition unisex capsule collection, featuring a coaches jacket, short-sleeve tee and Siegelman Stable’s signature hat.

To further elevate the Year of the Horse celebrations, Tequila Don Julio partnered with renowned bartenders across Greater China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines to create signature cocktails and drink rituals inspired by special Lunar New Year traditions.

Johnnie Walker x Robert Wun | Lunar New Year 2026 – Year of the Horse

Johnnie Walker Blue Label: when haute couture meets whisky

For Blue Label, we've partnered with Hong Kong-born, London-based fashion designer Robert Wun. It's a collaboration that brings together two worlds of craftsmanship—Scotch whisky and haute couture. Robert is known for surrealist designs, bold silhouettes and bridging cultural heritage with contemporary luxury.

His design reimagines Lunar New Year through a modern lens. The Horse charges forward with optimism, paying tribute to the zodiac's spirit while showcasing Robert's signature artistry. He's also created a Year of the Horse Limited Edition for John Walker & Sons XR 21 Year Old, extending the collaboration across our portfolio.

The design draws on the Horse's auspicious energy and the layered flavours of Blue Label. It speaks to longtime collectors and a new generation drawn to contemporary cultural expression.

I think there's beauty in everything, if you put your heart, your soul and your craftsmanship and commitment into it. Being able to work with Johnnie Walker—a brand with such legacy and a strong identity—has been incredibly rewarding."

Robert Wun

FASHION DESIGNER

In Korea: gift sets for the Seollal season

Our team in Korea is taking a broader approach for the Lunar New Year - known as Seollal in Korean. The team is launching limited-edition gift sets across the portfolio. Johnnie Walker is offering gift sets featuring eight different labels.

The team is also releasing special packages with Singleton 15-Year, Talisker 10-Year, Oban 14-Year and Lagavulin 16-Year. There's something for different tastes, all at a premium that feels right for gift-giving.

Celebrations at Brora

Our Brora distillery also celebrated; in Inverness, guests were treated to a welcome dinner, whisky tastings, a traditional Scottish meal and live performances. The following day included a tour and tasting at the distillery, which was transformed with red decorations, a private lunch inspired by Scottish New Year traditions and a bagpiper performance. The event strengthened existing relationships and created opportunities for future engagement with clients, particularly in key Asian markets.

Port Ellen also celebrated Lunar New Year at an event in Mayfair, London. For a private client tasting experience, the event showcased the elegance and heritage of Port Ellen whisky through a curated selection of releases.