In 2000 John Glaser started the Compass Box Whisky Company, a firm dedicated to blending boutique Scotch Whiskies and making Scotch more approachable and relevant to more people. They are game changers, who have replaced heritage for boldness.
Compass Box Hedonism is one of the Scotch Whiskies in their signature range. It is a blended grain Scotch, produced from 100% grain Whisky (made from mostly wheat, and likely corn as well) sourced from various Scotch distilleries. It is produced only once per year, when they find casks with the right flavor profile, using top-quality single-grain Whiskies aged up to 29 years in first-fill American oak casks. Compass Box blends these grain Whiskies and matures them for an unknown period of time in first-fill American oak casks and rejuvenated American oak Hogsheads.
With Hedonism Compass Box challenges the notion that grain Scotch is only meant to be used as a filler in a blended Scotch Whisky, and shows that grain Whisky made properly using great quality oak and long-aged grain Whisky is to be fully appreciated for what it is – soft, complex and understated, with a full and creamy body. The quality of the blend of grain Whiskies is reflected in the price of the Hedonism.
First-fill American oak casks and rejuvenated American oak hogsheads
Flavor Spiral™
About The Flavor Spiral
vanilla
coconut
grain
bitter oak
sweet
citrus peel
tangerine
nutmeg
cinnamon
What does Compass Box Hedonism taste like?
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Compass Box Hedonism and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Expected more but not a bad one. Not worth the price in my opinion.
Taimur,
Love the vanilla in this!
Nathan,
I enjoyed it for tasting but it wasn’t any better than the Irish blended in the same tasting box and the other is $70 cheaper.
Rick,
With chocolate it taste like melted. On the tongue flavors of cardamom and coriander; a great celebration of Indian spice.
Jeffrey,
Amazing!! I love this!! Superb flavor!
Keith,
unique bottle unlike others i have tasted
Lee,
Very good!!
Lars,
Very pleasant with noticeable traces of coconut taking over a subtle vanilla ground flavor. A good whisky for the money and very suitable to encompass with some desert.
Spencer,
Very noticeable coconut flavor. Easy to drink.
Zeb,
The coconut/vanilla flavor blend is really doing it for me.
Kyle,
Sweet cake on the nose.
Vanilla with some light spices up front.
Sweet almost cake or cookie.
Lingering coconut flavors stick around for a while.
I would liken this more to a rum barrel finished scotch or whiskey than anything else. If you like the sweet notes it is very good, makes a nice summer sipper.
Daniel,
Vanilla cream, bit of citrus, nice warmth.
On ice: most flavor disappears.
Matthew,
Love the vanilla nose. Enjoy the creamy blend with complex flavor
Courtland,
Sweet. Heavy vanilla taste. Stronger lasting burn on the finish. I thought it was better neat than it was with rocks. It’s a good blend, but for being a blend and lacking in a unique enough taste I don’t think it’s worth the $$$ price point
guest,
Great hint of vanilla in the smell. I can definitely find that coconut with the right amount of oak in my tongue. I can barely taste the tangerine, but in a good way. Super flavorful and smooth going down. Low key vanilla aftertaste. I love it.
Lawrence,
Mild sweet vanilla and coconut. The coconut lingers, not overwhelming though
Derek,
Delicious vanilla explosion, especially good on rocks or with a splash of water.
Robert,
Good stuff. Just not worth the price.
David,
Found this one from a tasting box and ordered upon first sip
Audrey,
This is delightful. Received in a tasting box. Easy drinking, lovely layers of flavor (the spiral is spot on). We always taste neat first then add a cube. Definitely need to drink neat if you're not a big scotch drinker. My husband is not and he found it excellent neat. He prefers Irish and Bourbon. I like scotch but nothing too peaty, and prefer Bourbon and like Irish. I'm unsure where people are finding it too oaky or woody; I didn't pick up on that so much. Big on the vanilla, caramel, hint of orange. VERY smooth, no major after burn. Everything about this was excellent. Want to buy a bottle but not sure if its good enough at that price point. Still deciding. Screw it. BUYING IT!
Steven,
Strong vanilla and nutty flavors with hints of caramel but with a strong bitter oak finish that lasts for a while past expectation.
Splash of water helped mute the oak, but left the finish still bitter.
holds up well to ice.
Jeffrey,
This is Exceptionally amazing!
Steve,
Its ok a little to woody but with a splash o water it tones down the wood brings out cinnamon and citrus
Benjamin,
Delicious
Clark,
I guess I'm in to a lot sweeter or maybe spicy I just love spicy rum
Marguerite,
Delicious, huge vanilla followed by oaky smokey caramel
Paul,
good aftertaste. smokey flavor. sweetness
added ice, mellow hint of sweet, less sweet with more peet flavor
Caylin,
Really enjoy this one. For the price, I think it's very underrated
Michael,
This might be the best tasting whisky I've ever had. Amazing. Delicious. Definitely a drink to be enjoyed neat. There's a bit of sweetness to it, I assume from the grains, and vanilla and oak from the wood. It's very easy to drink and the finish is silky smooth.
Michael,
This is a super smooth scotch blend the flavor profile is somehow bold and smooth at the same time.
Keith,
Honestly, I was blown away by this scotch! The aroma is rich and warm, almost like a Crème Brule. The flavors are balanced and complete. The finish is silky and smooth. Almost too easy to drink!
Skip,
Smooth and delicious. Didn't think I'd like a whiskey that tasted like coconut & tangerine, pleasantly surprised!
Dan,
Very smooth with a sweet finish and not much hint of peer
guest,
Yes
Jesse,
Amazing, mouth watering from the time you open the bottle! The caramel and vanilla notes beg to stay on your tongue. A must for introducing friends to the delicious world of good Scotch!
Brett,
Excellent. Very smooth and easy drinking, almost sweet tasting. Not sure I’d buy a bottle at the price though.
Shannon,
Liked the coconut, but the finish was a bit bitter for my taste
Marwin,
A proof the tasting boxes work! Tried it, loved it and bought it. The taste is smooth and feels great, long taste but with a short bite. Enjoy!
Kat,
It begins with a sweet caramel bouquet, and when it hits the tongue there's a burst of sweet and smoky grain with caramel, vanilla, and oak notes. It's delightful.
Ryan,
Smells funky but tasty delicious.
guest,
A dessert in your mouth. Just uplifts your spirit with its vanilla and Caramel flavours
Claraine,
I thought I didn't scotch at all until I tried this. No peaty taste, very mellow with nice vanilla notes. Loved this!
David,
Sweet and spicy
Geoffrey,
Almost a little over the top. A single taster was enough for me. Definitely a dessert bottle.
Justin,
Very smooth and mellow. Excellent finish. This is the first sample that I just slow sipped straight up. Couldn't imagine diluting with ice. If I have friends looking for a Christmas present, I'd love to open a gift with a bottle of this inside.
Trevor,
Initial scent is overwhelming, which makes the smoothness of this scotch unreal. Flavorful without being overwhelming on the tongue.
Benjamin,
This has quickly become my favorite Scotch. This is especially good as a dessert Scotch. Very smooth and light with no burn.
Sophian,
Had read rave reviews about this, and I was not disappointed. Pricing came down by about 50% or so compared to initial release (why? But I am not complaining though!) Some fruit notes (citrusy?) with vanilla/coconut whiffs. Rich in the mouth too. A must try!
guest,
My kind of whisky! Reminds my of 21 YO chivas Regal
Michael,
Bought a sampler with this in it, not a fan. There are better blended scotch whiskies out there
Timothy,
Love this, so smooth!
Ryan,
I am not usually a fan of scotch whiskey and prefer bourbon or rye. But, this was excellent! Very smooth.
Florette,
Great flavor complexity
Charles,
Smokey and vanilla smell. Light caramel taste. Goes down really smooth with no burn.
Michael,
It’s ok. Very average. I’d never pay what they list for it. Meh. Aroma’s fine, taste is fine, nothing spectacular.
Jonathan,
My favorite flaviar thus far. Smooth in the glass. Aroma of strong alcohol and a hint of vanilla. When tasting the flavor explodes in your mouth, a strong vanilla gives way to a oaky caramel finish that brings the perfect warmth to your palate. Leaves you urning for more!
Jose,
Smell like to much alcohol..but taste it ok
Brandon,
Loved it. The taste is spot on with the chart. When I had it neat, it tastes caramel smooth with vanilla and oak. Just let it sit in your mouth and savor it. With some water is fine but not necessary. A bottle is a must.
Evan,
I think this is a good scotch whiskey. Burned a little on the way down (in a good way). Tasted Smokey & vanilla. My problem is I simply don’t like scotch whiskey; more of a bourbon guy ;)
Joe,
Smooth and delicate...very nice. Not sure I’d spend that kind of money on a bottle though.
Marcus,
Loved it and I want more !!
Chris,
Very original and different. Light and easy to sip with intriguing flavors. It’s not as oaky and as stout as the whiskeys I normally enjoy though.
Jean-Philippe,
Nice discovery.
Really good tasting.
Perfect to change with peated whisky.
Todd,
Solid, but overpriced at $100+
Lee,
One of the best Compass Box offerings
Martin,
Delicate sweet flavor with hints of vanilla and a bit of oak. Not overpowering to the nose and a medium linger. Not much bite to it. Delicious with a nice texture and taste. A good one to have on the shelf for the occasional glass to share with friends.
Steve,
Very smooth!
Andrew,
Incredibly smooth. The vanilla topnote overshadowed the smoke, but that’s not a bad thing in my book.
Antti,
It is an outstanding, delicate, Blended Grain Scotch Whisky with a sweet birth, creamy life & silky & warning death.
Scott,
Huge surprise for me. I'm used to smokey scotches. This was great. Full flavor (on the sweeter side). Highly recommend.
Spencer,
Excellent scotch. Extremely smooth and full flavored.
Nick,
Very smooth but lacking a bit ..
Tony,
Great smoothness to the drink but the flavor combinations just weren’t for me.
Jesse,
Very tutti frutti. I thought it would have a little more body bud does not hold up with water or ice it. Drink it like a dessert whisky
Michael,
This is quite good - sweet but still whiskey - a good sweet daily drink. Worth a bottle.
Mathew,
Overall sweet, with vanilla up front and more fruity citrus towards the end. Hints of wood and spice. Nice for after dinner.
Grant,
Very sweet! Enjoyed it but probably couldn’t have more than a single pour
Leo,
Really sweet. Probably good for one glass but not more
Jeff,
Everyone seemed to enjoy the tropical and citrus nose that had minminal alcohol smell. Sweet taste with all the notes above and more if you think hard enough. Slight grain warmth on the back of the tongue while remaining sweet.
Good sweet scotch that is great for someone not big on grain burn.
Anthony,
nose: menthol, perfumy, floral, vanilla, cocount, mango, strawberry and cream
palate: light texture, some coconut and fruit
finish: lots of cream, coconut, mango, and strawberry, medium finish
overall: a good starting whiskey for someone who only drinks sweet
Raoul,
Surprising, very good blend
guest,
A tasty treat and one of the finest grain whiskies going
Marc,
Sweet and lightly Smokey but very hot
Rick,
The FIRST Scotch Whiskey I've actually liked.
Juan,
Nice blended scotch.
Jeremy,
Nice sweet blend with a hint of vanilla.
Katherine,
Very balanced. Might be too hot for some, but I like it.
Joseph,
Decent scotch. Smooth but nothing that interesting
Logan,
Good balance of sweet and smoke. Strong cinnamon and grain alcohol aftertaste. Not quite as smooth as I was hoping for, but still not bad.