From the Highlands, to Hollywood, to Hedonism
Karen Gillan Unveiled as The Muse for Compass Box Whisky’s Hedonism 2026
Karen Gillan has travelled far from Inverness to Hollywood, but now she is celebrating her roots in an unexpected way. For Compass Box’s Hedonism 2026, the Scottish actor and filmmaker steps into the role of The Muse, becoming the centrepiece of a new artwork by renowned artist Emma Hack - a collaboration that fuses Scottish heritage, contemporary female creativity, and what will become one of whisky’s most iconic bottles.
Karen Gillan is today unveiled as The Muse for Scotch Whiskymaker Compass Box’s limited edition Hedonism. Gillan is the muse for internationally renowned artist Emma Hack, best known for her work on Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know - one of the most viewed music videos of all time. Hedonism made history when it first launched in 2000, as the first Scotch whisky to place a woman at the centre of its label. This bold creative decision went one step further when, in 2023, Hedonism became a Limited Annual Release, and Compass Box began working with a different female artist each year to reimagine the original Hedonism woman in her own eyes. The tradition continues now with Karen.
The Scottish actor and filmmaker known for her roles in Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers and Jumanji was born in Inverness - the gateway to the Highlands - she has become one of Scotland’s most successful Hollywood exports while continuing to champion independent film and female-led storytelling.
Karen Gillan says,
“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.”
Acclaimed artist Emma Hack, celebrated for her striking fusion of body art, collage, and photography, has reimagined the original Hedonism woman through a contemporary, layered lens. With Gillan at the centre, the artwork celebrates grace, strength, and individuality.
Artist Emma Hack says,
“Hedonism means to me the power, the beauty, the goddess, the strength within, and that’s what I really wanted to capture.”
Behind the artwork sits one of the most influential whiskies of the modern era.
First released in 2000, Hedonism was a revolutionary moment in drinks: the world’s first blended grain Scotch whisky. Celebrated for its silky texture, layered sweetness, and remarkable complexity, it transformed perceptions of grain whisky forever. As Hedonism rose to global prominence, the rare and mature grain whiskies that defined its style became increasingly scarce. In 2023, Compass Box responded by reinventing Hedonism as a Limited Annual Release, using each one to push the conversation around grain whisky forward..
For the 2026 edition of Hedonism, Compass Box’s Creative Director of Whiskymaking, Angela D’Orazio, included some of the oldest components ever used in Hedonism to date, including a 30-year-old from Strathclyde Distillery; the recipe also includes whiskies ranging from 20 to 24 years old from Port Dundas and Cameronbridge Distillery, alongside some historic Blended Grain Parcels. In addition, a new sherry component contributes notes of cherry and raisins. The nose is warm, rich and inviting, with clove-spiced fruitcake, dates and toffee. The palate is complex, evoking coffee and cocoa-infused cream. The finish melts softly and lingers.
Angela D’Orazio, Compass Box Creative Director of Whiskymaking says,
“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 flavor 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.”
Compass Box’s Hedonism 2026 will be available for pre-order at www.masterofmalt on the 24th February exclusively, with general release from 1 March 2026 | Price RRP £90GBP | 46% ABV | 70cl | 13,126 bottles available worldwide
Discover more at https://www.compassboxwhisky.com/
https://www.instagram.com/compassboxwhiskyco/
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NOTES TO EDITORS
ABOUT COMPASS BOX
Founded in 2000, Compass Box is on a mission to make the world of Scotch whisky a more interesting place – exploring undiscovered territories beyond the map. From our Blending Room in Richmond, London, we continue to push the boundaries of what whisky can be, guided by flavour, not convention. Different to a distiller, more than a blender, we are Scotch Whiskymakers. ‘Whiskymaker’ is a word we invented – because what we do goes beyond tradition. We believe the most remarkable whiskies aren’t stumbled upon; they’re deliberately imagined. We masterfully blend with a balance of curiosity and precision, challenging assumptions at every step. Where others repeat, we reinvent – uncovering flavour experiences that surprise and delight. The core range is now available in Waitrose.
ABOUT EMMA HACK
Emma Hack is an internationally acclaimed Australian artist known for her unique, transformative fusion of body painting, photography, and design. Drawing inspiration from nature, textiles, and her deep connection to the environment, Emma creates intricate works that seamlessly blend the human form with richly patterned backgrounds or within built environments. Her art explores themes of unity, identity, and the relationship between humanity and nature. Follow her @emmahackart.
ABOUT KAREN GILLAN
Karen Gillan is a Scottish actor, filmmaker and global screen star known for her roles in Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers and Jumanji. Born in Inverness, she has become one of Britain’s most successful Hollywood exports, while continuing to champion independent film and female-led storytelling.
UK craft distillers call for spirits inclusion in Small Producer Relief scheme in Advance of Autumn Budget
Liam Hirt, Founder of Circumstance and Psychopomp Distilleries in Bristol, has called upon support for a plea to the Chancellor, in advance of the Autumn Budget on 26 November, 2025
The open letter calls for parity with brewers and cider makers, saying the existing scheme - limited to products under 8.5% ABV - undermines its goal of supporting small businesses and innovation across the UK drinks industry
Supporters of the open letter thus far include; Elsham Wold Distillery, Wharf Distillery, Doghouse distillery, London Distilling Co, Ludlow Distillery, Grasmere distillery, Spirit of Birmingham, Exploring Whisky and more
In a November blog post, Hirt has explicitly asked the Chancellor to extend Small Producers Relief to alcohol over 8.5%. Currently, a lower rate of Alcohol Duty is only permitted on products with an ABV of less than 8.5%.
Hirt is arguing that the current framework unfairly excludes small producers of gin, whisky, rum, and other higher-strength drinks.
Liam Hirt says,
“Duty relief for beer and cider has proven its value. It has helped small producers compete with global corporations, encouraged hundreds of new entrants, and driven diversity and innovation. Extending the same support to spirits would deliver exactly the same benefits - and strengthen the UK’s position as a world leader in craft distilling.”
The Small Producer Relief Scheme was introduced to correct structural disadvantages faced by small drinks producers. However, by restricting eligibility to products below 8.5% ABV, it excludes the vast majority of craft spirits, which typically sit at 37.5% ABV or higher.
“This limitation discriminates against distillers and contradicts the scheme’s intended purpose. There’s no public health basis for this exclusion,” he added. “A unit of alcohol in a gin is no more harmful than a unit in a beer. In fact, many spirits consumed with low or zero-sugar mixers have fewer calories than most beers or ciders. According to recent HMRC data, spirits duty receipts have fallen by up to £700 million over the past two years*, despite duty increases. A reformed, inclusive SPR could reverse this decline by encouraging investment, compliance, and sectoral growth - boosting long-term revenues for the Treasury.”
Spirits sales now represent 38% of pub alcohol profits according to The Scotch Whisky Association**, despite a smaller share of total serves, and over half of consumers report a preference for spirits when drinking out.
Hirt continues,
“Premium and locally made spirits are key to pub profitability and consumer engagement. Giving small distilleries access to duty relief would allow more collaboration between pubs and local producers, keeping value in local communities.”
With the UK craft spirits sector continuing to grow in global reputation but facing mounting tax pressures, small producers say reform is long overdue.
“The UK’s duty framework should reward innovation, not penalise it. Including spirits in Small Producer Relief would deliver fairness, drive exports, and strengthen the entire drinks ecosystem - from distilleries to pubs to the Treasury.”
The full list of co-signees include:
Liam Hirt - Circumstance Distillery
Richard Foster - Exploring Whisky
Shaun Watts - Ludlow Distillery
Paul Abbott - Grasmere Distillery
Jordan Lunn - West Midlands Distillery
Anthony - Spirit of Birmingham
Stephen Russel - Copper Rivet
Jordan Morris - Abingdon Distillery
Jared Cave - Integrity Malts
Ben Mordue - Elsham Wold Distillery
Laurence Coinsbee - Wharf Distillery
Matt Kay - London Distilling Co
Karl Bond - Forrest Distillery
Phil McLaughlin - Weetwood
Dan Humphries - Summerton Whisky Club
Amy Seton - Grain and Glass
Tim Ethrington-Judge - Avallen
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Circumstance Distillery nominated for ‘Best World Whisky’ at prestigious Online Scotch Whisky Awards
Bristol, UK, October 2025 – Whitehall’s Circumstance Distillery, Bristol’s trailblazing craft distillery, has been nominated for ‘Best World Whisky’ at the Online Scotch Whisky Awards (OSWA) 2025, one of the most respected and independent digital whisky awards in the world.
The OSWAs are judged entirely by self-funded, independent whisky reviewers, free from commercial influence, making their recognition a true mark of quality and innovation. The ‘Best World Whisky’ category celebrates the finest whiskies from around the globe, spotlighting creativity and flavour beyond traditional Scotch.
Founded in 2018 - the first whisky distillery to open in Bristolfor over 80 years - B Corp certified Circumstance Distillery embraces a ‘flavour-first’ philosophy, layering grains, yeasts, and casks to craft whiskies that are uniquely expressive and complex. Its dedication to organic production, sustainability, and community has also positioned Circumstance as a forward-thinking leader in modern English whisky.
Liam Hirt - Founder of Circumstance Distillery says,
“To be nominated in the category 'Best World Whisky' by the Online Scotch Whisky Awards is quite an honour because the nomination comes from a group of independent, self-funded whisky reviewers that we have the utmost respect for. Our aim has always been to put Bristol on the map as a centre of innovation and truly fantastic drinks, so to receive this nod is testament to that and the creativity that you find in this brilliant city."
Circumstance has earned this nomination for its Organic Single Grain Whisky Series, an innovative flavour-led collection that showcases the distillery’s innovative, experimental approach to whisky-making:
Organic Single Grain Rye Whisky – Complex, spicy, and aged in ex-tawny port casks
Organic Single Grain Wheat Whisky – Rare English wheat whisky with rich, layered flavours
Organic Single Grain Whisky – Boldly blended with roasted barley and aged in multiple cask types
The full list of nominations for the Online Scotch Whisky Awards 2025 is available here.
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About Circumstance Distillery
Independent, innovative, and bold, Circumstance Distillery creates whiskies, gins, and experimental spirits that challenge convention. Tours, tastings, and cask-ownership opportunities are available by appointment. More information atwww.circumstancedistillery.com or follow@circumstancedistillery on Instagram.