After a long, hard Year of the Rat – thanks Covid-19 – we’re ready for a good drink. With Hong Kong’s bars and restaurants looking set to experience a repeat of Christmas, operating reduced hours only over Lunar New Year, options for drinking out at one of Hong Kong’s best bars are limited (and not necessarily advised). Fortunately there are a number of attractive special edition spirits pouring in from big brands. Whether your favourite after dinner tipple is whisky or cognac, there’s a Year of the Ox-themed release for you and your dear ones. Here are seven of the best. Why Asian wines are the next big thing – if grape purists give them a chance Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Reserva Rum Cask Finish Chinese New Year Edition 2021 Described as “a gift worth bringing home”, Glenfiddich’s Lunar New Year special edition gift pack comes emblazoned with a vivid illustration by up-and-coming Shenzhen-based artist Rlon Wang, who also designed last year’s festive gift pack. The artwork was inspired by that feeling of returning home to family for the family. Glenfiddich’s showcase whisky for this design is its Reserva Rum Cask 21 Year Old – a whisky finished in Caribbean rum casks for a spicy warmth and toffee sweetness – but is also available for the brand’s 12, 15 and 18 Year Old Malt Whisky variants. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Ox The most luxurious of Johnnie Walker’s regular range of whiskies, the brand’s Blue Label offering has a rich tradition of Lunar New Year releases. This year is no different with a stunning new bespoke bottle and packaging representing this year’s zodiac animal, the ox. This representation comes courtesy of artist Shirley Gong, a graduate of Sichuan Fine Art Institution and the Savannah College of Art and Design. Why mocktails will replace cocktails in a new, wellness-focused world On the inside is the same rich whisky that aficionados are familiar with, but the attractive packaging makes this a worthy gift, or treat for yourself, this Spring Festival. Johnnie Walker King George V Lunar New Year Limited Edition Yes, Johnnie Walker has not one but two special editions this year. Its King George V edition is even more rare and exclusive than its famed Blue Label whisky – the latter has an RRP of HK$1,800 (US$230), while the former is three-times that amount at HK$5,400. 6 places to eat poon choi with a twist in Hong Kong this Lunar New Year What’s so special about it? The edition blends some of the rarest whiskies from distilleries in existence during the reign of Britain’s King George V, who reigned from 1910 to 1936, including Benrinnes, Cardhu and silent (closed) distilleries like Port Ellen and Port Dundas. In the 14 years since Johnnie Walker first introduced its King George V blend, the product has never had a limited edition of any kind, making this a particularly special release. Royal Salute 21 Year Old Signature Blend 2021 Chinese New Year Created in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, Royal Salute may not have much lineage as a product – compared to, for instance, Lagavulin’s more than 200-year existence – but its physical distillery has nearly unmatched history. It is distilled in Speyside at the Strathisla distillery, the oldest working distillery in the Highlands of Scotland. 6 new collectable whiskies to watch from US$135 to US$75,000 The 21 year old is exceptionally smooth and made from a combination of whiskies that has remained unchanged since 1953. The special edition comes with artwork by British illustrator Brett Ryder featuring traditional Chinese iconography. Suntory Whisky Royal Ox Ceramic 2021 It’s not just Scottish whiskies that are getting in on the Spring Festival festivities – Japanese drinks giant Suntory has something special planned too. This should come as no surprise as Suntory has a long history of crafting special bottles to represent the year’s zodiac animal, with this year’s a festive representation of an ox made of porcelain. Hennessy VSOP CNY 2021 Limited Edition Despite Covid-19 woes, Moet Hennessy was the best performing unit in LVMH’s first half-year results last year. The luxury brand will be hoping for strong sales this year, too, with the help of its Lunar New Year specials. First up is its VSOP 2021 limited edition. Hennessy commissioned artist Liu Wei to create a special artwork, Spring , for the occasion. The Chinese artist was given carte blanche to create whatever he felt was appropriate. The result, a painting brimming with colour, movement and “a sense of change”, is deliberately abstract, allowing everyone to find their own interpretation. 8 wine trends for 2021: more rosé and everything going virtual Shades of red and purple have been taken from Spring for VSOP 2021 New Year Limited Edition’s packing, designed to celebrate the Year of the Ox with a bold, cheerful atmosphere. Hennessy XO CNY 2021 Limited Edition For the first time ever, Hennessy’s XO (very old) cognac is receiving its own Lunar New Year special edition. It comes with that trademark flavour of candied fruit, with a subtle spicy nose and in a traditional bottle. However, this time the bottle is draped in red and gold to represent wealth, prosperity, and “rich layers of emotions”. Want more stories like this? Sign up here . Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .