With today’s arrival of the third edition of the Hedonism Limited Annual Release (46% ABV; 700ml; $164.99 SRP; 13,218 bottles worldwide), the award-winning Compass Box, once again brings one of modern whisky’s most iconic expressions to life – uniting art, whisky and muse in a singular release. At the heart of the 2026 release is a new interpretation of the Hedonism Muse – an image that has become one of the most distinctive and enduring symbols in modern Scotch whisky. Compass Box enlisted globally acclaimed artist Emma Hack to bring the 2026 Muse to life, creating a live action portrait featuring A-List actress Karen Gillan at its heart – the first time a known face has stepped into the role.
When the whiskymakers at Compass Box released their first whisky, Hedonism, in 2000, they changed the course of modern whisky – not only the world’s first blended grain Scotch whisky, but as one of the first whisky bottles to place a woman at the center of its visual identity. As Hedonism achieved global success over the next two decades, the old and rare grain whiskies that made it so beloved became harder to source, and in 2023, Compass Box decided to transform Hedonism into a Limited Annual Release. 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. In 2024, for the inaugural Limited Annual Release, Scottish artist Stephanie Rew used shimmering gold leaf to create a Renaissance-inspired “goddess with a gaze”; in 2025, Compass Box worked with Bristol-based Argentinian artist Sofia Bonati, who integrated vibrant color and intricate details to reflect the elevated tasting notes in her creation.
The Artist & The Muse
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, actress, 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!”
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.
NOSE: Warm, rich and inviting, with clove-accented fruitcake, dates and toffee; poised between softly sweet and fragrant dryness
PALATE: Classic Hedonism texture: soft, melting and thick – however, here the flavors are darker than prior iterations: coffee, toffee and a long, evolving journey through dry sherry flavors like roast almond and tart raisins; the final impression is of cocoa-infused cream
“The 2026 release is unmistakably Hedonism, but this year’s expression is richer, darker and more intense than previous editions,” says D’Orazio. “It is also the first time we have used an old sherry component in Hedonism, which brings a new flavor perspective to our original and most iconic whisky. Working with Emma and Karen to bring the label to life was a fantastic experience – seeing the different forms of artistry blending together and our whiskymaking process mirroring art. Karen as our Muse truly is the Hedonism woman brought to life.”
The Film
To document the creation of the 2026 release, Compass Box has created a cinematic short film, “Hedonism: Brought to Life,” taking viewers behind the scenes of the collaboration between D’Orazio, Hack and Gillan, and exploring how art, whisky and identity intersect in the modern Hedonism story. The film also features perspectives from whisky experts Billy Abbot, author of The Philosophy of Whisky, and U.K. bartender and TV personality Jack Sotti, reflecting on Compass Box’s role in reshaping the modern blended whisky narrative.
