Compass Box has aimed to make Scotch a more interesting place and show that blends can be as good as, if not better than, single malt whiskies since they launched in 2000. To mark its 20th anniversary this year, the Scotch whiskymakers announced the launch of Hedonism Felicitas, a limited edition expression that pays tribute to the whisky that originally launched the brand.
Having released more than 100 whiskies since forming on October 23, 2000, Compass Box Founder and Whiskymaker John Glaser has proven that Scotch can be more than the rules that traditionally define the spirit. Taking inspiration from the wine world for its different uses of oak and pushing for greater transparency in whisky through its 2016 Transparency Campaign, Compass Box has also teamed up with partners who share the same forward vision and desire to think differently.
“Launching our business with Hedonism was widely seen at the time as unusual, because so few Scotch whisky companies bottle 100% grain whiskies,” says John Glaser. “I am hopeful that over the years, we have shown people how delicious good quality Scotch grain whisky can be and as a result, Hedonism has become a signature whisky for us. For these reasons, we love to create special, limited edition Hedonism bottlings to commemorate important milestones and events.”
Available now in limited quantities (2,226 bottles produced), Hedonism Felicitas draws together three grain whiskies, each distilled in a different decade. Led by Whiskymaker James Saxon, this expression is bottled at a higher strength to deliver a rich concentration of creamy textures and sweet flavors for which aged grain whisky is rightly celebrated. “Hedonism Felicitas is intended to convey the good fortune, happiness and gratitude we feel having met and worked with so many remarkable people,“ says Saxon.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary milestone, Glaser will host a virtual tasting of Hedonism Felicitas tomorrow, Sept. 27 at 3pm ET. It will trace the story of Hedonism from the very first whisky he created all the way to this release.
Compass Box’s Hedonism Felicitas retails for $175.
