Review: Compass Box Hedonism 2026

Compass Box’s Hedonism became an annually released whisky in 2023 (this is our first taste since that happened), and in 2026, it got a celebrity backer, too. Actress Karen Gillan is “the muse” for the label, created by artist Emma Hack.

Hedonism was Compass Box’s first whisky ever, launched in 2000, and it remains a blended grain Scotch whisky as it’s always been. Now, “with each annual edition, Compass Box continues its pursuit of celebrating the rich possibilities of grain whisky, as well as engaging a different female artist to reimagine the original Hedonism Muse in her own eyes. Each one becomes both a whisky release and a creative collaboration: a dialogue between whiskymaking and art.”

For the 2026 release, Compass Box enlisted the globally acclaimed Australian artist, Emma Hack, who is celebrated for her arresting body art, photography, and immersive fine art installations. Best known for her iconic work on musician Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” music video, which won international acclaim, Hack brings a unique ability to merge the human form with pattern, texture and storytelling. With Gillan serving as the Muse, Hack transformed the human form into canvas, using gilding, paint and photography to create a layered, immersive portrait that fuses body, pattern and mythology into a singular visual language.

“Hedonism means to me the power, the beauty, the goddess, the strength within, and that’s what I really wanted to capture,” explains Hack. “Karen is perfect for the character of our Muse.”

In her role as Muse, actor, director, and proud Scot, Karen Gillan embodies the grace, strength and independence that define the original Hedonism woman. A lifelong whisky lover with roots in the Highlands of Scotland and a bold presence on the world stage, Gillan’s career – from Doctor Who to Guardians of the Galaxy and Jumanji – has spanned fierce roles and a strong affinity for creative, character-driven collaborations.

“Sharing whisky and stories are some of the best times of my life,” says Gillan, who grew up in Inverness. “There’s no doubt that whiskymaking is an art form, and there’s no wilder sensation than seeing yourself on a whisky bottle!”

As for the whisky:

For the 2026 edition of Hedonism, Compass Box’s Creative Director of Whiskymaking, Angela D’Orazio, draws on some of the oldest components ever used in Hedonism to date, including a 30-year-old from Strathclyde Distillery; the recipe also includes whiskies ranging from 20 to 24 years old from Port Dundas and Cameronbridge Distillery, alongside some historic blended grain parcels. In addition, a new sherry component contributes notes of cherry, cumin and raisins.

Whew. OK, let’s dig in!

Compass Box Hedonism 2026 Review

While malty and a little bready on the nose, the whisky’s overtones of fruitcake, nutty and thick with dried fruit, quickly emerge. Baking spice notes are evident but overpowered by an emerging grind of black pepper, creating a rather savory aromatic experience. The result is a richer and more brooding Compass Box than you might be expecting, especially given the advanced age of the spirit’s components.

The palate doesn’t stray far from the aromatic expectations, nutty sherry notes doing a lot of the heavy lifting. Oily furniture polish notes create a dense, leathery quality that amplifies the nuttiness of the whisky, with raisins coming into focus as it develops. A moderately bracing menthol character builds on the finish, creating a greener — and ultimately fresher — conclusion to the whisky than expected. Coffee notes and toasted almonds with dark chocolate linger, if only for a moment.

92 proof.

B+ / $165

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