Hedonism
The whisky that started it all.
Hedonism was the first whisky Compass Box ever made. Released in 2000, it showed the world what aged grain whisky is capable of, and it has been part of our story ever since.
Silky, indulgent and elegant, Hedonism is our iconic blended grain Scotch.
The Hedonism woman
From the first release, Hedonism defied convention. It was the first whisky to feature a female face on the label.
Since then, our muse has taken many forms.
Hedonism through the years
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2026
THE MUSE, MADE REAL
Hedonism 2026 Limited Annual ReleaseFor the first time, the Hedonism woman is a real person. Multidisciplinary artist Emma Hack worked directly with actor, film director and proud Scot Karen Gillan to be her muse, painting and photographing her for this year's label. The whisky inside is equally unprecedented: built around some of the oldest grain parcels we've ever worked with, including a 30-year-old grain from Strathclyde Distillery, and layered for the first time with a subtle sherry influence. The result is butterscotch, honeyed oak and soft milk chocolate, carried on Hedonism's signature silky texture.
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2025
HEDONISM 2025
Limited Annual ReleaseHedonism took on greater power and velvet at 46% ABV, featuring a single grain from Cameronbridge Distillery, further matured for 2 years in a first-fill Marsala barrique for added red fruit and sweet notes. The artwork on the label was produced in collaboration with Argentinian artist Sofia Bonati.
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2024
THE DELICIOUSNESS OF GRAIN WHISKY
Hedonism 2024 Limited Annual ReleaseThe calibre of whiskies we used for Hedonism have grown ever harder to find, which is why, in 2024, Hedonism became a Limited Annual Release as opposed to a permanent product. For the first batch we turned to more mature whiskies aged almost entirely in first-fill Bourbon barrels. This also contains the last of our stocks of grain whiskies distilled in the 1990s, a period when some of the distilleries featured used maize in their mashes. This brings an enhanced buttery weight to the overall composition, accompanied by incredible label artwork by Stephanie Rew.
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2020
KINDNESS, COMMUNITY & CREATIVITY
Hedonism FelicitasIn 2020 the idea of hedonism took on a new meaning. Our lives and habits were overhauled and concepts like community and kindness grew ever more important. A 20th anniversary Hedonism inspired by the positive influence people can have on each other felt right. We were prompted to recognise the significance of the small things, recognising a long lunch with friends or even a drink in the bar as the special privileges they always have been.
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2018
INTO THE UNKNOWN
Hedonism The MuseA vatting of very old grain whiskies from different distilleries, combined many years ago and left to age together in American oak. Lack of knowledge of the provenance of the distilleries didn't matter to us, flavour did. It's remarkable what you discover when you're least expecting it.
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2015
THE ELEGANCE IN EXCESS
Hedonism QuindecimusUsing grain whiskies of varying ages, Quindecimus was a riotous, intergenerational celebration of the interplay between grain spirit and American oak, offering a world of emphatic, energetic, weighty pleasure. As Oscar Wilde once said, 'everything in moderation, including moderation'.
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2010
A SINGLE GRAIN
Hedonism 10th Anniversary Limited EditionTin is traditionally used to commemorate a 10-year anniversary. We thought a single cask, distilled in 1971 at the Invergordon Distillery was more appropriate. In equal parts delicious and sentimental, our 10th Anniversary Limited Edition represented a maturity developed over the 10 years since the conception of Compass Box.
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2007
HEDONISM TO THE MAX
Hedonism MaximusBottled twice, once for our friends at La Maison Du Whisky and once for global release, Hedonism Maximus was all about taking Hedonism to the extreme. In pursuit of indulgent, unctuous, august pleasure we used older, rarer whiskies knowing the maximalism only mature casks delivers.
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2000
THE WHISKY THAT STARTED IT ALL
HedonismCompass Box was released to the world on 23rd October 2000 when the original Hedonism was bottled and then driven down to Royal Mile Whiskies in Edinburgh on the very same day. The back label of the bottle is a treatise on blending, breaking the rules and Compass Box. A delicious blended grain that's not chill filtered and relies only on the natural colour imparted by oak, released at the start of a new millennium? That's Hedonism.
