Whisky blending house Compass Box has named actress Karen Gillan as "The Muse" for its limited-edition Hedonism bottling.
The Inverness-born actor and filmmaker became the muse of artist Emma Hack, known best for her work on Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" music video. Hack has partnered with Gillan and Compass Box to create the 2026 edition of Hedonism.
First released in 2000, Hedonism became one of the first Scotch whiskies to feature a woman on its label. Since 2023, the whisky has been an annual limited release, with Hedonism's muse reimagined each year by a different female artist. Hack succeeds Sofia Bonati and Stephanie Rew as Hedonism label artist.
Gillan said: “To be considered a muse for this whisky and to be a part of its story is deeply personal to me. Sharing whisky and stories are some of the best times of my life. There’s no wilder sensation than seeing yourself on a whisky bottle.”
Hack added: “Hedonism means to me the power, the beauty, the goddess, the strength within, and that’s what I really wanted to capture.”
The release marks the first edition of Hedonism since Angela D'Orazio was named Compass Box's creative director of whiskymaking. For the 2026 blend, D'Orazio selected some of the oldest components ever used in Hedonism, including a 30-year-old whisky distilled at Strathclyde Distillery, whiskies between 20 and 24 years old from Port Dundas and Cameronbridge, and some historic blended grain parcels.
D’Orazio commented: “The 2026 release is unmistakably Hedonism, but this year’s expression is richer, darker and more intense than previous editions, it is also the first time we have used an old sherry component in Hedonism, which brings a new flavour 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.”
Tasting notes supplied by Compass Box highlight aromas of clove, fruitcake, dates, and toffee, with coffee, cocoa, and cream on the palate.
Compass Box's Hedonism 2026 (RRP £90, 46% ABV) will be available to pre-order via Master of Malt on 24 February, with general release from 1 March 2026.
