Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s 2026 Hedonism release.
A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international celebrities.
“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,” says the star.
Launched in 2000, this blended grain Scotch whisky has become an annual tradition, with Compass Box commissioning a different female artist each year to reinterpret the original Hedonism woman.
Artist Emma Hack, best known for her visually arresting body art and her work on Gotye’s ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ music video, is responsible for the striking art that adorns this year’s release.
With Gillan centre stage, the concept takes on a distinctly modern, celebrity-led edge.
With Gillan at the centre of the artwork, the concept takes on a distinctly modern, celebrity-led edge…
Hedonism 2026: whisky and maturation
For 2026, Compass Box’s Creative Director of Whiskymaking, Angela D’Orazio, has drawn on some of the oldest components ever used in Hedonism.
The blend includes a 30-year-old grain whisky from Strathclyde Distillery, alongside whiskies aged between 20 and 24 years from Port Dundas and Cameronbridge Distillery, as well as historic blended grain parcels.
For the first time, a sherry-matured component has been introduced, adding a new layer of flavour to the profile. This contributes notes of cherry and raisins, complementing a nose described as warm and rich, with clove-spiced fruitcake, dates and toffee. On the palate, the whisky develops into coffee and cocoa-infused cream, before a soft, lingering finish.
Bottled at 46% ABV, Compass Box Hedonism 2026 has an outturn of 13,126 bottles. It is available from Master of Malt, priced at £89.95.
Pictures courtesy Josh Shinner Delightful Media for Compass Box.
Christmas is coming, and Master of Malt and Drinks by the Dram are ready with a new collection of spirits advent calendars, with 30ml wax-sealed drams behind every door. The calendars cover everything from classic Scotch and Japanese whisky to gin, rum and vodka, and the vast majority of the included spirits are new for…
Glenmorangie has released its oldest-ever whisky, a 50 year old single malt made with some of the last batches of barley malted in the distillery’s own floor maltings before they were decommissioned in 1977. The whisky is limited to 149 bottles, each presented in a bespoke porcelain vessel created by American ceramic artist Peter Pincus.…
If there was ever a day to upgrade lunch, this is probably it. For World Lobster Day today, Friday 25 September, Burger & Lobster is bringing back its brilliantly simple ‘Bring A Mate, Get A Plate’ offer – meaning diners can buy one main and get a second on the house. Yes, that includes their…
Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s 2026 Hedonism release.
A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international celebrities.
“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,” says the star.
Launched in 2000, this blended grain Scotch whisky has become an annual tradition, with Compass Box commissioning a different female artist each year to reinterpret the original Hedonism woman.
Artist Emma Hack, best known for her visually arresting body art and her work on Gotye’s ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ music video, is responsible for the striking art that adorns this year’s release.
With Gillan centre stage, the concept takes on a distinctly modern, celebrity-led edge.
Hedonism 2026: whisky and maturation
For 2026, Compass Box’s Creative Director of Whiskymaking, Angela D’Orazio, has drawn on some of the oldest components ever used in Hedonism.
The blend includes a 30-year-old grain whisky from Strathclyde Distillery, alongside whiskies aged between 20 and 24 years from Port Dundas and Cameronbridge Distillery, as well as historic blended grain parcels.
For the first time, a sherry-matured component has been introduced, adding a new layer of flavour to the profile. This contributes notes of cherry and raisins, complementing a nose described as warm and rich, with clove-spiced fruitcake, dates and toffee. On the palate, the whisky develops into coffee and cocoa-infused cream, before a soft, lingering finish.
Bottled at 46% ABV, Compass Box Hedonism 2026 has an outturn of 13,126 bottles. It is available from Master of Malt, priced at £89.95.
Pictures courtesy Josh Shinner Delightful Media for Compass Box.
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Christmas is coming, and Master of Malt and Drinks by the Dram are ready with a new collection of spirits advent calendars, with 30ml wax-sealed drams behind every door. The calendars cover everything from classic Scotch and Japanese whisky to gin, rum and vodka, and the vast majority of the included spirits are new for…
Glenmorangie’s oldest-ever whisky is a 50 Year Old single malt made with historic floor-malted barley
Glenmorangie has released its oldest-ever whisky, a 50 year old single malt made with some of the last batches of barley malted in the distillery’s own floor maltings before they were decommissioned in 1977. The whisky is limited to 149 bottles, each presented in a bespoke porcelain vessel created by American ceramic artist Peter Pincus.…
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If there was ever a day to upgrade lunch, this is probably it. For World Lobster Day today, Friday 25 September, Burger & Lobster is bringing back its brilliantly simple ‘Bring A Mate, Get A Plate’ offer – meaning diners can buy one main and get a second on the house. Yes, that includes their…
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