Johnny comes home from school and says to Daddy, "What's sex?" Dad pauses for a moment and thinks out loud, "O boy, I guess it's now or never." He then goes on to explain the birds-and-the-bees to his son. The son pays rapt attention, his interest ebbing not one bit. When Daddy ends the lesson, the boy looks up in starlit puzzlement, "How am I supposed to fit that all into this little square?" And that's what this renown whisky delivers in light of its reviews: cited complexity that can't quite get it done. The nose at best is somewhat fruity and a tad floral, with a foundation of vanilla wafers. After resting in the glass for 10 minutes, a butterscotch note comes alive. The vanilla nose translates to the palate, but you may have to work a bit to pick up the coconut, creaminess, and confectionery notes that others have raved about. A slight bitter nuttiness joins the party after the mid-palate. This drinks hotter than it's proof with a finish of orange peel and butterscotch. The wood spice and drying oak make a small racket towards the end, as astringency plays a bit role. This is a blend of grain whiskies, and the absence of a majority barley component is clearly evident on both the nose and palate. What it's missing is that full roundness of a journey found in a single malt, or a blended malt scotch. Rather, the experience is quick and ephemeral, something akin to a bourbon or an Irish whiskey, but hotter and rougher in delivery due to it's lack of a single-grain heavy mash bill or a third distillation process. (That may have been the original intent, however.) I've read that this was some smooth and elegant stuff. But none of those descriptors are completely merited here. It appears I've tossed away a Benjamin Franklin to John Glaser and Co. for this near ravishing, but soulless potion. Although, by name alone Hedonism is no cardinal sin - after going through half of the bottle, I find myself more interested in them releasing a sequel :: Gluttony :: than continuing on with this. Glaser is without a doubt an EXPERT whisky maker, but based on this expression, I think he's wearing it on his sleeve. I would buy this again at a lower price of $50-$60, but at the current asking price of a C-note, it's laughable. My Rating Glossary: Two Stars: "I'd rather be drinking lite beer." Two 1/2 Stars: "Posh rubbish." Three Stars: "I love whisk(e)y. This is average love." Three 1/2 Stars: "May buy again." Four Stars: "I've got to get you into my life." Four 1/2 Stars: "Better than drugs." Five Stars: "Life is good. Whisky makes it better."