Compass Box Hedonism Quindecimus

The aroma is loaded with pink wafer cookies – vanilla, cream, and a faint medicinal note, similar to bread starter. On the palate, it's astonishing this is 46% ABV. It's incredibly smooth, akin to sipping honey syrup. A touch of spice is present, but the mouthfeel softens it considerably. It's definitely sweet, evoking a memory of pouring a glass of 20-year tawny over a sticky toffee pudding, with the alcohol complementing the caramel. The finish is remarkable. Despite its smoothness, it lingers extensively: notes of pepper and perhaps some cloves playfully stimulate the nasal passages for an enduring period. It truly warrants savoring each sip.

How can you declare this a very good whisky, superior to the standard Hedonism bottling, and give it an 88, while the standard version is rated 97 on distiller? That doesn't seem like an accurate assessment.

This is my top pick from Compass Box. Abundant coconut and vanilla with a touch of lemon icing. Absolutely delightful. I'm puzzled why it's rated below the regular Hedonism, which is also quite good.

Not much on the nose, but the palate is characterized by syrupy sweetness and melon, complemented by a beautiful but not overwhelming oak presence.

This was really enjoyable.