Compass Box Hedonism 2026 Blended Grain Scotch Whisky

There's no malt whisky in this bottle.

Hedonism is made entirely from grain whisky. Most grain whisky ends up as the quiet base of a blended Scotch, so a whisky that's all grain is unusual. Compass Box released the first Hedonism in 2000 and calls it the world's first blended grain Scotch. Grain whisky is distilled from cereals like wheat or corn in a column still, and it ages into something soft and creamy rather than heavy.

The 2026 release uses some of Compass Box's oldest stock, with components "aged up to 31 years." Most of it comes from Port Dundas, a Glasgow distillery that has since closed. For the first time, part of the blend aged in refill sherry butts, which bring cherry and raisin. The rest is mostly bourbon barrels, plus earlier Hedonism vattings. Compass Box publishes every component and percentage, and they're in the specs below.

It's bottled at 46% ABV with no chill filtering and no added coloring. The outturn is 13,218 bottles. The label portrait is by artist Emma Hack, with actor Karen Gillan as the muse.

Compass Box suggests pouring it slightly chilled into a big wine glass, with coffee and walnut cake. We'd add a cup of coffee and an empty afternoon.

Scotch-of-the-Month Club Enthusiast members got this bottle in their May box. The Enthusiast tier runs $150 a month.

Tasting Notes

• Opening: caffè latte, butterscotch and orange cream
• Middle: nougat, toasted hazelnut and fine wood sugars
• Finish: lingering milk chocolate

Bottle Specifications

• Category: Blended grain Scotch whisky
• Age: No age statement (components aged up to 31 years, per Compass Box)
• Recipe: Port Dundas, refill sherry butt 31.2%; Port Dundas, recharred American oak hogshead 30.0%; Hedonism 2025 vatting 14.1%; blended grain parcel, first-fill bourbon 13.1%; Cameronbridge, first-fill bourbon 5.4%; Strathclyde, refill bourbon 3.1%; Hedonism 2024 vatting 3.1%
• Proof / ABV: 92 proof / 46%
• Outturn: 13,218 bottles, bottled November 2025
• Whiskymaker: Compass Box (lead whiskymaker Angela D'Orazio)
• Bottle size: 700ml

Poured by Scotch-of-the-Month Club Enthusiast members in May 2026.

FAQ

What's the difference between grain whisky and malt whisky?
Malt whisky is made only from malted barley in a pot still. Grain whisky can use other cereals and is usually made in a column still, which gives a lighter, softer spirit. With enough age in good casks, it turns creamy and sweet.

Why is the bottle 700ml?
Compass Box bottles the 2026 release at 700ml, the size printed on the label, and 700ml is a legal US bottle size. You're getting 50ml less than a standard 750ml bottle.

Is it the same as last year's Hedonism?
No. Hedonism is a limited annual release with a new recipe each year. 2026 is the first to use sherry casks.