Midleton Very Rare 2013 vs Hakushu 18 Year Old

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Midleton Very Rare 2013Hakushu 18 Year Old
DistilleryMidletonHakushu
Region
CountryIrelandJapan
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%43%
AgeNAS18 yr
Price£999£620.5
Rating4.38/5

Midleton Very Rare 2013

Smoke0/100
Sweetness51/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Hakushu 18 Year Old

Smoke64/100
Sweetness37/100
Beginner55/100
Value7/100

Midleton Very Rare 2013

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Hakushu 18 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Hakushu 18 Year Old is rated higher (4.38 vs 0.00).

Hakushu 18 Year Old is better value at £621 vs £999.

For beginners: Midleton Very Rare 2013 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Midleton Very Rare 2013

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£999 vs £620.5)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.4)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Hakushu 18 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.4/5)
  • +More affordable (£620.5 vs £999)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Midleton?

Midleton Very Rare 2013 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Who should buy Hakushu?

Hakushu 18 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Tasting notes

Only Midleton Very Rare 2013

SherriedHoneyDried FruitToastedNutty

Only Hakushu 18 Year Old

FragantMalt ExtractFresh FruitSmokeyGreen-House

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