Tasting Compas Box Hedonism
I’m a single malt enthusiast, but that does not mean I don’t like other whiskies. Or other spirits for that matter.
Compas box has been a whisky maker that thinks, pardon my obvious choice of expressions, outside de box. They like to do things their way and challenge conventions. But most of all they like making awesome whisky. And I’ve been a big fan of pretty much everything they do for more than a decade now.
Hedonism was their first whisky back in 2000, and it set the tone for Compas box: beautiful labels and packaging while making an awesome whisky that also makes you rethink everything you know. You see, they launched this in the midst of the first single malt boom, when pretty much everyone thought ‘malt good, grain baaaaad’. Yet they dared to launch a blended grain whisky.
I originally tasted this whisky in 2011 and was an instant fan. I wrote tastenotes about it with Jurgen Vromans (The Whisky Mercenary) and Werner Van den Nouwelant in 2012. Back then it had the original packaging which has had a revamp now. I’m a bit torn about that one, I like them both.
I got myself a sample of the new bottle just to check if my old notes still hold up. And they pretty much did, although it’s almost impossible for such a whisky to remain 100% the same. Also, my pallet and experience has evolved as well.
Still, I pretty much could confirm the old notes, and most of all I still loved it.
Nose:
Grain, vanilla, coconut, pepper, corn, cherry, doyenne pear, wood, cocoa. It’s definitely related to a high-end craft bourbon, but it still makes its own promises.
Mouth:
Corn, vanilla, coconut, light pepper, cocoa powder, wood. The wood is a good thing by the way, it carries the sweetness of the corn and vanilla. Again, reminding me of a high-end bourbon while doing its own thing.
Finish:
Corn, pepper, vanilla, cocoa, mint, wood, banana, nutmeg. Pretty long. Seriously, close your eyes after swallowing this and pay attention. The finish will really put a smile on your face. Usually a finish is less fruity than the mouth, here it’s the other way around.
So yeh, that still works. In a big way. Malt snobs, I dare you to try this and say you don’t like it. The vast majority of you would be lying if you did. You know, like you also lie about how many 60’s Bowmore you had.
This whisky reminds me of: Skin
You have to ask? Seriously? Ok in that case check this link.
The data:
The whiskey: Hedonism
Released by: Compas Box
Year on bottle: 2018
I love Whiskey and I love bourbon! I’ve been drinking them since I turned 18 😛
However, as the years passed I stopped tasting and trying new things out and lately I have been drinking the classics, such as Jack Daniels.
This Hedonism whiskey seems like the whiskey to resume my adventures 😉
Do you happen to know where I can get one ordered?
Well it depends on where you live.
https://www.masterofmalt.com/ (not an affiliate link I just like them) ship to a lot of places but not the states.
In the USA I found this but I have no experience with them.
https://drizly.com/liquor-brands/compass-box/b2823
Also if you want to discover: stores like master of malt also sells samples that’s a great way to discover.
My grandfather is a huge fan of different types of whiskey and is always looking out for new ones to try so me and my wife always buy him a bottle of something different for his birthday and Christmas whenever we see something we think he might not have tried
The Hendonism Whiskey by CompusBox isn’t one I think he has tasted before so this might be a nice treat for him
Can you just buy the small miniature bottles on their own just in case he doesn’t like it?
Compas box sells tasting sets, they might be a great gift 🙂
It seems your brought me to a whisky tasting when I was reading your blog. You are bringing whisky tasting experience to your readers with all the nose, mouth and finish descriptions.
I got curious about this Compass box so I will try to find one and get to experience this great tasting whisky.
If you want to try compas box (or any whisky) I recommend you look for webstores that sell sample bottles. It’s a great affordeable way of discovering new whiskies. Also keep an eye for whisky conventions where you can taste stuff.
Actually I am not a whiskey addict but I love having a taste once in a while. I could remember when I first had a taste of hedonism whiskey in some years back during a dinner party with my friends. It was a superb taste that worth frequent tasting. Ever since that time, I used to buy it once in a while until I stopped for like a few months now. I can’t wait to have a taste again. Wow, I just realized I can include hedonism as part of the package I can offer my boss as his birthday gift.