Tag Archives: Hedonism

2025 Whisky Show – Compass Box

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At the 2024 London Whisky Show, we had such fun at the Compass Box stand. They were back in 2025 – so we had to stop by!

Now the secret of thriving at Whisky Shows is to pass over more than you pick! So, when we looked at the line-up at Compass Box, we knew we had to make a tough call – skip more than sip!

It was a popular stand – for good reason!  Always having an eye for a creative design aesthetic, this was on a royal scale!

What did we focus on this year?

  • Hedonism 2025 46% – GBP 85
  • Flaming Heart 25th Anniversary Edition (2024) 48% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 130
  • Brûlée Royal 2025 49% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 106
  • Metropolis (Sep 2023) 49% (Compass Box – Extinct Blends Quartet) – GBP 270

Let’s get on with the tasting, shall we? Spoiler alert! The Brûlée Royal was my top pick!

Hedonism 2025 46%

Hedonism is one of those whiskies that gets a polarised reaction. People either love it or don’t. What you have to understand upfront is that this is a blended grain, with no malt whisky. This requires some recalibration of expectations.

My first experience with Hedonism more than a decade ago was mixed – I simply couldn’t get past a pronounced coconut oil! A few years later, I most associated piña colada with an edition, likely from around 2016 / 2017! Then came a chance to try their 15th anniversary edition – I found it more interesting, yet I was still not entirely convinced.

Fast forward to the  2025 / 25th anniversary edition. What did we think?

Well hello! It was incredibly approachable on the nose – bananas, caramel, cream, and a bit of coconut there too! The best was the palate – it was an easy-drinking whisky, balanced and fun. Nothing off, just fresh, sweet, smooth, and enjoyable.

The story behind this edition goes:

Created as our first whisky in 2000, Hedonism has always defied convetion. It pays homage to the tradition of grain whisky distillation in Scotland, while pushing the boundaries of Scotch.

The Hedonism label has always proudly featured the image of a woman – something Scotch whisky had never done before, so for each annual release we commission a different female artist to bring to life the strength that our original label illustration represented. This year, for our second release, Argentinian artist Sofia Bonati, who creates striking female portraits that invite you into a dreamlike world, has reimagined the Hedonism woman once again.

The Compass Box folks describe this special 25th anniversary edition as:

Initial waves of caramel and powdered sugar, leading into a heart of pure peach puree, cocoa and pear. Chocolate mousse arrives on the palate, joined by nutmeg-inflected custard and cinnamon. The finish freshens to white grape, Fuji apple and vanilla.

What went into this blend? Though all grains, it is also a blend of older Hedonism too! Cameronbridge (46.7% 1st fill bourbon, another 1st fill bourbon 11.6%, 1st fill Marsala Barrique 2.8%), Hedonism vatted in 2022 (11.9%), Hedonism vatted in 2023 (16.9), Girvan (10.1%). Curious to know more? Check out their Factsheet with all the details!

Flaming Heart 25th Anniversary Edition (2024) 48%

Over the years, we’ve had a chance to sample their Flaming Heart 7th Edition and 15th Anniversary expressions. So what about the latest 25th Anniversary dram – their 8th edition?

Wow! This is indeed a departure! This is full-on peat with a big meaty nose, loads of peat and spice on the palate, finishing with even more peat and sweetness. This is no shy, retiring, nuanced dram. It is fun and fabulous, confident in its rocking character!

Their description of its flavour profile is:

Rich, oily smoke appears on the nose, supported by zingy spice. Hints of raspberry and apricot encircled by impressions of tarry rope. The palate is immediately dense as spices like clove, pink and black pepper and nutmeg arrive. Medicinal peat notes duke it out with bright and winey fruit. Finally, concentrated smoke that is at once woody and ashy with menthol and citrus oils.

This blend has a primary focus on peat with (48.1%), (35.5%), Williamson Islay Malt Blend (13.4%%), and a bit of (3%). Do check out their Factsheet full of more info!

Brûlée Royal 2025 49%

This was the new avatar – inspired by the Palace of Versailles chef François Massialot, who wrote in his 1691 cookbook Cuisinier royal et bourgeois a recipe for what became known as crème brûlée. The whole theme of the Compass Box booth this year was a nod to royal opulence!

Whilst we had a mere sniff and swish, we remarked that this was one deliberately delicious dessert-styled dram! We thoroughly enjoyed the burnt caramel aromas, with the palate fun and creamy, and the finish nicely closing the experience.

Compass Box’s official tasting notes share:

Immediate Crème Brulée, which opens to custard Danish and scorched sugar brittles. The palate is thick with clotted cream, honeyed malt and broiled peaches followed by custard & Tarte Tatin. Pannacotta & gentle nutmeg spice followed by silken jersey milk, toasted sugar and banana split.

This is a vatted malt with (53.3%), (39%), (7.2%), and a touch of (0.5%). Whisky geeks should check out their Fact Sheet for more details!

Metropolis (Sep 2023) 49% (Compass Box – Extinct Blends Quartet)

We closed with the 3rd expression from their Extinct Blends Quartet. The idea here is to bring to our palate a time capsule. As I’ve also experienced, blends of earlier decades differ greatly from what is produced today.

We found it big, bold, yet balanced. Bursting with both pitted and tropical fruits, it was both lush and fresh, rich and rewarding. The finish was long and strong.

Their tasting notes:

Vanilla arrives first on the nose, followed by a medley of different honeys. Fudge, apricot and pineapple lead to fresh fig. A rich and very complex palate with sultana, apricot again and hints of smoky woodiness. A long and sweet finish, with a pleasing weight.

With Metropolis, the focus is on the urban of yesteryear. What more do we know?

Metropolis uses some of our rarest and most mature stocks. It centres around nutty and biscuity single malt from the Aberlour Distillery, aged in re-charred American oak barrels. This is supported by citrusy and vanilla-accented single malt from the Miltonduff Distillery. A blended grain parcel and a hint of herbal smoke courtesy of malt whisky from the Bowmore Distillery complete the complex recipe.

Our whisky guide shared that the Bowmore stock was more than 20 years old! For more details, check out their Fact Sheet.

And there you have it! Quite a range this year. Whilst my favourite was the Brûlée Royal, I really enjoyed the opportunity to try the Metropolis. The Flaming Heart shift in character to full peat was a departure, but it worked. The biggest surprise? How much we enjoyed the Hedonism!

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Compass Box – Hedonism Quindecimus 46%

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Up first in our latest exploration of Compass Box was Hedonism… But no ordinary edition… this was Quindecimus – their 15th anniversary special limited edition. It has an absolutely lush, gorgeous label that simply screams nuance, complexity, with a vintage, feminine vibe.

Our host did his homework and knew this blended grain would take some coaxing and time to unfold… so he poured our glasses a half hour before we sat to start tasting.

We sampled it completely blind… and what did we think?

Hedonism Quindecimus 5689 46%

  • Nose – Started with soft caramel, light butterscotch, lemon, a bit astringent, sticky glue, wet grass, touch of kumquat, vanilla, sandalwood, a medicinal hint…
    • After the 1st sip some hazelnut, sweet grass joined, honey came increasingly to the fore, bread pudding and custard, with loads of butterscotch
    • Even more time and it took on such a lovely desert with cream and that fabulous butterscotch again
  • Palate – Citrus sweet… on the next sip there was chilli joining the sweet
  • Finish – Oddly flat and a bitter
  • Water – A mixed response – found it made it even more flat and left a bit awkward finish, others thought it added more character, with sweet and sour on the palate and a strong coconut quality

We set it aside and moved on to the other whiskies of the evening….

When we returned to it, there was strong butterscotch and coconut on the aromas… however, the palate and finish simply didn’t live up to the promise of the aromas.

With the reveal, our host admitted that after so much effort to track this down, have it shipped to the US, then brought to India, the actual experience was a bit of a disappointment. I’ll also admit to having mixed reactions to Hedonism – certainly interesting but not always bang on the mark, for me at least.

What do the folks at Compass Box have to say?

Fifteenth Anniversary Limited Edition release of 5,689 bottles. Bottled in February 2015.

Flavour Descriptors The combination of grain whiskies from different distilleries and of varying ages has created extraordinary complexity and juxtapositions of flavour. Indulgent yet lively, unctuous yet light, you will find a deep, sweet caramel coconut succulence combining with exultant tropical fruits.

Recommendations Drink this whisky as any true Hedonist would – however you like it, whenever you feel like it and in whatever quantity you deem appropriate. We particularly enjoy Quindecimus paired with sweet desserts or Highland fudge.

The blended grains are a combination of North British, Port Dundas, Dumbarton and a mystery blend aged more than 32 years.

After Hedonism, we continued on with :

And just in case you are curious? Here are notes from the earlier brushes with a different version of Compass Box’s Hedonism:

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Whisky Ladies Compass Box Eve – Hedonism 43%

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At our Whisky Ladies Compass Box evening shifted gears completely… Having just sampled Spice Tree Extravaganza and the lightly peaty Great King Street Experimental Batch, we realized before launching into the decidedly peaty Flaming Heart and Peat Monster, it might be a good idea to recalibrate our palates with the unique Hedonism.

Compass Box Hedonism 43%

  • Nose – Exquisite! Subtle, nuanced, fresh oranges, exceedingly fresh and fragrant
  • Palate – Piña colada with that mix of coconut cream and pineapple, sweet light spice, silky smooth, vanilla custard
  • Finish – Starts with a great finish then “Oh you are gone, but was nice while it lasted!”

There was an immediate flashback to the Nikka Coffey Grain with its coconut, pinneapple, yet obviously a much more nuanced variant… for some it was absolutely delicious and for others, just not their style. Which seems to be the case with grain whiskies.

It was a complete departure from the earlier drams and an excellent example of the range of unique blends Compass Box produces.

Here’s what the folks at Compass Box have to say:

The inspiration behind our whisky HEDONISM is just that – pleasure, enjoyment, a celebration of that ideal marriage between distilled spirit and high quality oak maturation. The aromas and flavours hint of vanilla, caramel, a delicate fruitiness, accented by flashes of coconut in the finish. This is a whisky that will appeal to both the ardent whisky enthusiast and newcomers to whisky alike.

Our Compass Box evening included:

Psst… this wasn’t my first rodeo with Hedonism… you can read more about my earlier experiences here. I was delighted to sample a more recent incarnation.

This whisky was purchased by one of our Whisky Ladies and sampled from an open, nearly full bottle in July 2017.

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Whisky Ladies Explore a Compass Box Quintet

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Most of our Whisky Ladies are no strangers to the often remarkable Compass Box blends. As a group, we’ve sampled the delightful Asyla, Great King Street – Artists Blend and the unique Hedonism. Independently, some of us have tasted many more…

For some time now, we’ve wanted to enjoy a focused session exploring Compass Box offerings… and found our chance on a monsoon evening in July 2017!

It began as a trio, yet morphed into a quintet – oh my! And no ordinary set either… no siree! We found ourselves exploring several limited edition avatars too..

Here is what we tried a Compass Box quintet of:

As always, the distinctive designs, superb craftsmanship and unique take on different whisky profiles was impressive. What a treat to try these together!

Related Compass Box posts:

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Compass Box Blends…

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My partner will sometimes introduce me as a ‘Single Malt Snob’… he does so with great affection and humour, knowing I’m far from snobbish in life but am particular about my whiskies.

It does highlight a perception that an old single malt MUST be good whereas a blended whisky MUST be rubbish.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

While there are some absolutely stunning single malts… there are equally some rather good blends.

And the folks over at Compass Box are out to prove you should pay attention to well crafted blended whiskies. They keep surprising whisky watchers with their creative approach and beautiful marriage of art and science.

They also set in motion a movement for transparency after being told to stop disclosing the component whiskies that go into their blends.

They aren’t demanding others mandatorily disclose what goes into that whisky you love so much… they are simply asking for the right to share with consumers what goes what they create.

Hard to argue with such an approach but they have a fight on their hands… read more here.

Compass Box Juveniles sampled at La Maison du Whisky (Whisky Lady)

Juveniles sampled at La Maison du Whisky (Whisky Lady)

Living in India means either sampling these blends outside of the country or depending on a whisky club member to source and bring into the country…

Through both approaches, have enjoyed til date seven Compass Box blends:

Compass Box Trilogy

Anyone have a favourite Compass Box blend? Or another blended whisky?

From time to time, you can also find other whisky related updates and activities on:

Compass Box – Hedonism 43%

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I seem to be on a bit of a Compass Box roll… til date have sampled: Asyla, Great King’s Cross Artist’s Blend and Glasgow Blend, Juveniles, Spice Tree, The Peat Monster… and now Hedonism.

This sample came compliments of the Canadian stash from my aunt and uncle – fellow whisky aficionados with their own whisky tasting group running for more than a decade.

Compass Box Hedonism (Whisky Lady's uncle)

Compass Box Hedonism (Whisky Lady’s uncle)

Hedonism 43% – Blended grain scotch whisky

And here goes my impressions:

  • Nose – Lots of coconut oil, light and perfumed, sweet vanilla flowers, subtle, over time a light white chocolate emerged, then an overly sweet marzipan
  • Taste – A slightly odd quality… not so much oak more like a ‘woody’ coconut, a bit herbal, very soft with a bitter edge, like faded cinnamon bark
  • Finish – Very dry, light yet somehow hangs in there, a curl of oak and something else I simply wasn’t able to pinpoint
  • Water – Adds a slightly spicy element, creamy, the pronounced coconut remains but a tinge subdued

Interestingly, we had the dregs of another bottle of Hedonism passed around at the end of our August Whisky Ladies session. It had been transferred into a small glass jar… and I found the coconut oil so predominant we actually speculated whether the container may have contaminated the sample.

Clearly it had not as this one from my aunt and uncle had that same quality.

In some ways, it reminded me of my first foray into the land of single grain whisky from Chita. Yet while the Chita is quite ‘technical’ in its soft, delicate, floral nature, Hedonism has more of an ‘edge,’ there is personality peaking through that coconut and a sense of age.

I wanted to love it as I do many Compass Box offerings. I was pre-disposed to find it delightful. It isn’t.

Yet it is intriguing. Unusual. Difficult to describe. Completely unique. And it grows on you… sip after sip…

Do I like it? After a bit of warming up and aligning to its special qualities… yes!

Would it be 1st priority for future purchasing? Perhaps not but it is absolutely worth trying if you get a chance.

For a bit more info, here’s what the folks at Compass Box say about Hedonism
  • Flavour Descriptors – Elegant flavours of vanilla cream, toffee, coconut.
  • Recommendations – As an aperitif, serve with a small amount of chilled water. Late in the evening, serve neat. Also makes a great whisky sour.
  • Distillery Sourcing – Will vary according to batch but typically whiskies from the following distilleries: Cameron Bridge, Carsebridge, Cambus, Port Dundas or Dumbarton.
  • Wood – 100% first-fill American oak barrels or rejuvenated American oak Hogsheads.
  • Bottling Details – 43%. Not chill filtered. Natural colour.
And here’s what others say:
Canadian stash

Canadian stash…

Other Compass Box treats sampled:

From time to time, you can also find other whisky related updates and activities on: