Crown Royal XR Extra Rare - Waterloo vs Hakushu 18 Year Old

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

Crown Royal XR Extra Rare - WaterlooHakushu 18 Year Old
DistilleryCrown RoyalHakushu
Region
CountryCanadaJapan
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%43%
AgeNAS18 yr
Price£999£620.5
Rating4.38/5

Crown Royal XR Extra Rare - Waterloo

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Hakushu 18 Year Old

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

Crown Royal XR Extra Rare - Waterloo

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: Crown Royal XR Extra Rare - Waterloo is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Crown Royal XR Extra Rare - Waterloo

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

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 Crown?

Crown Royal XR Extra Rare - Waterloo 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 Crown Royal XR Extra Rare - Waterloo

VanillaOld WoodToastedSherried

Only Hakushu 18 Year Old

FragantMalt ExtractFresh FruitSmokeyGreen-House

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