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Scotch Whisky Review: Compass Box Hedonism 2025 Release

Compass Box Hedonism 2025 is a stunning blend of six grain scotch whiskies aged between 15 and 20 years.

OVERALL RATING

8
$105
  • Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant with over a decade of experience in whisky retail and online whisky education. Best known for hosting Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, he is dedicated to making whisky accessible and enjoyable by cutting through jargon and complexity.
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Tasting Notes

About:

The Compass Box Hedonism 2025 release is here to celebrate twenty-five years of the brand being alive. A blended grain whisky (the cask make-up will be listed below) of rather epic reputation and effortlessly stunning designs. This year Compass Bos have teamed up with Argentinian artist, Sofia Bonati who is famous for her dream like female portraits. Compass removed the regular Hedonism bottle from their range in 2024, solely releasing a one off release every year now that features different artistic interpretations of their famous label from world wide female artists.
Appearance:
Light Gold
Nose:
Fudge chunks, caramel chews, toffee sauce, cookie dough, mint, coconut, candle wax, Kendal mint cake, rum and raisin ice cream, wild flower honey.
Palate:
Madeira sponge cake, custard, butter, shortbread, vanilla cream, tonka bean, milky coffee and brioche.
Finish:
Soft oak that results in some dryness. Fresh mint, Cognac and raisins (the Marsala cask is coming out to play quite a bit here), buttercream and fresh espresso. What is incredible is that it has none of the acetone tang that can normally be found in grain whisky of any age. It’s a remarkable cask flavour focused product, but when we look at the ages that makes sense.
Comments:
I’m a fan of Hedonism, I’ll get that out of the way now. It’s a whisky that reminds me my early days in this game and how fun that was.

I do think this is delicious and I am contemplating buying one as I’m missing a good grain in the house. The only downside after trying it now is that I’m reminded that grain is really good at offering sweetness, and depth to what that sweetness is. Imagine how far your mind can go with the worlds best dessert trolley that’s soaked in easy drinking whisky. Sweetness is good, but grain can faulter when it comes to offering complexity. It’s affordable in the grand scheme, there are many reasons for that, but it will always fall a little short when compared to it’s malt counterparts.

That being said, it’s moreish, sweet, creamy and has a finish that goes on for quite a while! It’s a perfect dessert alternative and as a brand Compass Box have made Hedonism a standout for people to look at when it comes to the world of blending and of grain whisky.

It’s a rather wonderful way to celebrate their 25th anniversary. A great artistic bottle filled with rather wonderful tasting whisky.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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