Johnnie Walker has unveiled a striking new Lunar New Year Limited Edition design for Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky, created by Asian-American artist James Jean. Adept at working across multiple genres, Jean fuses contemporary subjects with aesthetic techniques inspired by traditional Chinese scroll paintings, Japanese woodblock prints, and classical portraiture.
The eye-catching design to mark the Year of the Snake, 2025’s Zodiac animal, follows on from James’ celebrated design for the brand’s Year of the Dragon release.
In the design, three snakes representing three attributes of wisdom, intelligence, and intuition, are surrounded by blooming flowers, shedding their skins to embrace the next chapter in life.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the Diageo brand’s most coveted expression, made using some of the rarest whiskies from the Johnnie Walker reserves of maturing Scotch, including some irreplaceable casks sourced from long-closed ‘ghost’ distilleries.
James Jean’s Year of the Snake artwork is said to symbolise an ambition for constant progression and self-reinvention…
Born in Taipei and raised in New Jersey, James, who attended the School of Visual Arts in New York, says: “I portrayed the snake shedding its skin to represent the idea of renewal and growth. The three snakes symbolize the attributes of wisdom, intelligence, and intuition, while also representing the past, present, and future. The snakes are constantly growing, transforming, and adapting to changing conditions.”
James Jean has also designed illustrations for the Lunar New Year John Walker & Sons XR 21 Year Old Limited Edition Design.
“James Jean’s stunning portrayal of the snake for the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year 2025 collection masterfully intertwines tradition and innovation,” says Johnnie Walker Global Brand Director, Jennifer English. “Just as Johnnie Walker embodies progress with our Keep Walking spirit, Jean has brilliantly woven a connection between heritage and forward-thinking vision. His snake design represents transformation and resilience, reflecting both the legacy of our brand and the promise of the future.”
The Whisky Exchange has dropped three new exclusive bottlings to mark the start of 2026, spanning Scotch whisky, American bourbon and Jamaican rum. The limited collection comprises an experimental single-cask Torabhaig from the Isle of Skye, a punchy single-barrel bourbon from Bardstown Bourbon Company, and a sherry-cask-aged Hampden Estate rum that leans fully into the…
Just in time for Burns Night, Orkney-based Highland Park has announced a limited-edition cask strength single malt whisky. The new release, Cask Strength: Heather, is made using 100 per cent Orkney peat-smoked barley, with peat sourced responsibly from Hobbister Moor, just a few miles from the distillery. Given Orkney’s northern latitude, trees struggle to grow,…
January may feel long and grey, but one undoubted bright spot is Burns Night, the annual celebration held on January 25, marking the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. For whisky lovers, it’s one of the most convivial fixtures of the year: a night where poetry, food and Scotland’s greatest export meet in cheerful,…
The Luxe Review 
Johnnie Walker has unveiled a striking new Lunar New Year Limited Edition design for Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky, created by Asian-American artist James Jean. Adept at working across multiple genres, Jean fuses contemporary subjects with aesthetic techniques inspired by traditional Chinese scroll paintings, Japanese woodblock prints, and classical portraiture.
The eye-catching design to mark the Year of the Snake, 2025’s Zodiac animal, follows on from James’ celebrated design for the brand’s Year of the Dragon release.
In the design, three snakes representing three attributes of wisdom, intelligence, and intuition, are surrounded by blooming flowers, shedding their skins to embrace the next chapter in life.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the Diageo brand’s most coveted expression, made using some of the rarest whiskies from the Johnnie Walker reserves of maturing Scotch, including some irreplaceable casks sourced from long-closed ‘ghost’ distilleries.
Born in Taipei and raised in New Jersey, James, who attended the School of Visual Arts in New York, says: “I portrayed the snake shedding its skin to represent the idea of renewal and growth. The three snakes symbolize the attributes of wisdom, intelligence, and intuition, while also representing the past, present, and future. The snakes are constantly growing, transforming, and adapting to changing conditions.”
James Jean has also designed illustrations for the Lunar New Year John Walker & Sons XR 21 Year Old Limited Edition Design.
“James Jean’s stunning portrayal of the snake for the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year 2025 collection masterfully intertwines tradition and innovation,” says Johnnie Walker Global Brand Director, Jennifer English. “Just as Johnnie Walker embodies progress with our Keep Walking spirit, Jean has brilliantly woven a connection between heritage and forward-thinking vision. His snake design represents transformation and resilience, reflecting both the legacy of our brand and the promise of the future.”
Johnnie Walker Lunar New Year Limited Edition is available from The Whisky Exchange, priced £230.
Drink in 2026 with these Jamaican sherried rum, peated whisky, and high-strength bourbon exclusives
The Whisky Exchange has dropped three new exclusive bottlings to mark the start of 2026, spanning Scotch whisky, American bourbon and Jamaican rum. The limited collection comprises an experimental single-cask Torabhaig from the Isle of Skye, a punchy single-barrel bourbon from Bardstown Bourbon Company, and a sherry-cask-aged Hampden Estate rum that leans fully into the…
New Cask Strength Highland Park whisky puts Orkney heather front and centre
Just in time for Burns Night, Orkney-based Highland Park has announced a limited-edition cask strength single malt whisky. The new release, Cask Strength: Heather, is made using 100 per cent Orkney peat-smoked barley, with peat sourced responsibly from Hobbister Moor, just a few miles from the distillery. Given Orkney’s northern latitude, trees struggle to grow,…
Toasting the Bard: Where to eat, drink and celebrate Burns Night 2026
January may feel long and grey, but one undoubted bright spot is Burns Night, the annual celebration held on January 25, marking the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. For whisky lovers, it’s one of the most convivial fixtures of the year: a night where poetry, food and Scotland’s greatest export meet in cheerful,…
Share this: