Karen Gillan becomes the face of Compass Box’s Hedonism 2026, celebrating Scottish heritage and female creativity

Scottish actor and filmmaker Karen Gillan has been announced as the muse for Compass Box’s Hedonism 2026, a new limited edition Scotch whisky that launched for pre-order this week at Master of Malt, with a general release following on 1^st March. The new libation, which features a label designed by Australian artist Emma Hack, will be limited to 13,126 bottles worldwide, each priced at £90 per 70cl. The collaboration aims to celebrate Scottish heritage, female creativity and the contemporary reinterpretation of an iconic tipple.

Gillan, known for her roles in Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers and Jumanji, was born in Inverness, Scotland. She is depicted as The Muse at the centre of Hack’s new artwork. The label continues a tradition established by Compass Box in 2000, when Hedonism became the first Scotch whisky to feature a woman on its label. Since 2023, the brand has worked with a different female artist each year to reimagine the original Hedonism woman.

Speaking about her involvement, Gillan said, “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.”

Hack, best known for her body art featured in Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know music video, described her approach to the project: “Hedonism means to me the power, the beauty, the goddess, the strength within, and that’s what I really wanted to capture.”

The whisky itself is notable for its composition. Compass Box’s creative director of whiskymaking, Angela D’Orazio, explained that the 2026 edition includes some of the oldest components ever used in Hedonism, such as a 30-year-old whisky from Strathclyde Distillery, alongside whiskies aged 20 to 24 years from Port Dundas and Cameronbridge distilleries, as well as historic blended grain parcels. A new sherry component has also been introduced, contributing notes of cherry and raisins. According to the makers, the nose is described as warm and rich, with clove-spiced fruitcake, dates and toffee, while the palate evokes coffee and cocoa-infused cream.

Compass Box, founded in 2000, is known for its innovative approach to spirit blending, and Hedonism was the world’s first blended grain Scotch. The 2026 edition continues the brand’s tradition of combining creative collaborations with whisky-making.

D’Orazio commented, “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 flavour 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.”

Food Desk

Hedonism 2026 is available for pre-order on 24^th February and for general release from 1^st March 2026 via Master of Malt. For further information or to order, visit their website here.

For further information about Compass Box, visit the brand’s website here.