Compass Box Hedonism Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Compass Box is a specialist Scotch whisky company founded in 2000 devoted to making some of Scotland's most unique whiskies through the art of blending. John Glaser, Whisky Blender & Company Founder, runs Compass Box in a similar fashion to fine wine negociants. The company chooses individual casks of whisky from different distilleries that offer complementary sets of flavours. They then carefully blend these casks in small batches to make proprietary whiskies. A range of types of Scotch whisky are bottled: malt whiskies, grain whisky, malt & grain blends from twelve distilleries across Scotland. Compass Box is also renowned for having (arguably) the industry’s highest quality standards for oak cask selection. When one considers that oak is responsible for up to 70% of the flavour of a mature whisky, one understands their mania. Only 100% American oak is used (predominantly first-fill casks). The colour of all the Compass Box whiskies is the natural colour of the whiskies from the casks. No caramel colouring is added. The whiskies are also not chill filtered (a cosemtic process which strips flavour and texture from the whisky). As John Glaser says, “Hazy whisky is a good sign that the whisky maker wants you to taste everything the whisky has to offer.” These are indeed alluring whiskies for the free-thinking enthusiast. Limited stocks have arrived in Australia. Each is a must try.

100% grain whisky is rarely produced. Compass Box Hedonism is a combination of Cameronbridge and Cambus single grain whiskies all aged 12-23 years. Hedonism was voted “Best New Release od the Year” by Whisky Magazine.

Tasting note: Nose: Soft and creamy but with good intensity. Ripe, elegant and lush with wild strawberry, Milky Bar (white chocolate) and Butterkist popcorn. Sexy. Palate: Soft, silky and chewy, with a spicy lift and touch of ripe cherry. Finish: Fragrant. The chocolate comes back with some mint and cream. Comment: THIS is innovation at work in whisky. 43% Alc./Vol. Rating: 8.5 / 10.
- tasting note sourced from David Broom, www.whiskymag.comsize>