Luxury Whisky Brand Marks Lunar New Year with Couture-Inspired Limited Edition
Nairobi, February 20, 2026 — Johnnie Walker has unveiled a limited-edition design of its flagship blend to celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year and usher in the Year of the Horse, partnering with acclaimed fashion designer Robert Wun on the exclusive release.
The collaboration brings together whisky craftsmanship and high fashion, with Wun a Hong Kong-born, London-based couturier known for sculptural silhouettes reinterpreting the Horse as a contemporary emblem of optimism, resilience and fearless progress. The design reflects the brand’s long-running “Keep Walking” philosophy, aligning the zodiac’s symbolism of energy, independence and determination with a message of forward momentum.
According to the company, the limited edition transforms traditional Lunar New Year imagery into a modern visual narrative, capturing motion and strength while celebrating individuality and creative expression.
The partnership extends beyond packaging into a documentary-style content series that traces Wun’s creative journey from concept to couture. The series explores how being born in the Year of the Horse informs his artistic perspective and how those qualities translate into both fashion and design. It will be distributed across the brand’s digital platforms.
Speaking about the collaboration, Wun said the project united two disciplines rooted in patience and precision.
“Couture and whisky both demand time, attention to detail and deep respect for craft. Translating the optimism and tenacity of the Horse into this design has been an incredible experience,” he noted.
Locally, East African Breweries Limited (EABL) said the release resonates with themes of ambition and progress associated with the new lunar cycle.
“The Year of the Horse stands for optimism, independence and forward momentum qualities that strongly reflect the spirit of this expression,” said Alvin Mbugua, General Manager, Spirits at EABL. “This partnership brings together art, heritage and exceptional craftsmanship to offer something truly memorable.”
The blend remains one of the brand’s most prestigious offerings, recognised for its layered profile featuring notes of citrus, florals, dark chocolate, vanilla and hazelnut, finished with a signature smokiness. The company says only one in 10,000 casks from its reserves is selected to create the whisky, underscoring its rarity.
The 2026 release continues the brand’s tradition of issuing collectible designs tied to global cultural milestones through collaborations with leading artists and designers, reinforcing its position at the intersection of luxury, storytelling and craftsmanship.
The limited-edition bottles will be available in Kenya in restricted quantities at select premium retailers. Once sold out, the design will not be reproduced.
