Suntory releases limited-edition bottles for the 2027 zodiac year of the Sheep

Japan has a calendar tradition called eto, which assigns each year to one of twelve animals. At the turn of the year, shops fill with gifts decorated with the animal of the coming year. On 15 September, Suntory Holdings announced two whiskies and two beers in limited-edition designs themed on the 2027 zodiac animal, the sheep (hitsuji).

The Eto Series, brightening year-end and New Year gifts

In Japan, giving alcohol as a year-end thank-you or a New Year greeting remains a firmly rooted custom. According to Suntory, its zodiac series has become a staple of this season every year. It is said to be popular both as a gift and as something to brighten the table at New Year. The products are on sale nationwide but in limited quantities, and the beer has already begun appearing in shops since October as year-end gift sets.

Whisky wearing a sheep and an ancient floral pattern

The bottle of “Suntory Whisky Royal Bottle” (600 ml, 43% ABV, recommended retail price 11,800 yen excluding tax) is itself sculpted into the rounded shape of a sheep. In Japan, the sheep is regarded as an auspicious animal that symbolises the safety of the family and peace. The bottle is also decorated with “Shosoin kamon”, a floral pattern found on treasures preserved at the Shosoin, the imperial storehouse in Nara, and considered a symbol of prosperity and lasting beauty. The other release, “Suntory Whisky Old Label” (700 ml, 43%, 2,250 yen excluding tax), is a more affordably priced bottle with the sheep and the floral pattern on its label. Both go on sale on 4 November.

Beer with pine, bamboo, plum and Mount Fuji

“The Premium Malt’s” (5.5%) and the ale-style “The Premium Malt’s Kaoru Ale” (6%) both go on sale in 350 ml cans on 24 November. Alongside the sheep, the designs combine shochikubai, the pine, bamboo and plum that are considered auspicious motifs in Japan, with Mount Fuji. The six-can packs and 24-can cases also come in festive packaging for the year-end and New Year season.

All of these are limited editions for the Japanese market, and no sales in Europe have been announced. Even so, the idea of the zodiac is easy to adopt. For a New Year gift to Japanese friends or business partners, choosing a drink decorated with the animal of the year, the pine, bamboo and plum, or Mount Fuji conveys a Japanese sense of thoughtfulness. Royal and Old are blended whiskies (whiskies made by mixing several base whiskies) that have long been familiar in Japan. The Japanese way to enjoy them is as a highball, mixed with soda water, alongside a meal. If you come across a zodiac bottle in a specialist shop in Japan, enjoy the animal design too, which comes around only once every twelve years.